I’m sure you are asking “who the heck is Kellin Quinn?”
Kellin Quinn (Bostwick) is lead vocals for the post-hardcore band ‘Sleeping With Sirens’. He is also the former lead singer of band ‘Closer 2 Closure’, a band that called it quits before Quinn’s rise to fame.
Sleeping With Sirens was formed in 2009, and released their first record through Rise Records called ‘With Ears to See And Eyes to Hear’. This album, only the beginning for this incredible band, flew to number seven on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. 25,000 copies were sold.
Set aside the facts, and we are left with the lyrics this band produces. We’re left with the simple acts of kindness, and care for the well-being of their fans.
Kellin, being the lead vocals of this band, writes most of the lyrics.
Anyone who listens to the radio, knows that most of the lyrics you hear are about heartbreak, relationships, or sex. Rap stations talk mostly about sex or drugs, while country is mostly about women and beer. And while I’ll admit I’ve enjoyed listening to the radio, I know I’m not the only one who finds it incredibly repetitive.
As a youth in this world, I find that so many people graze over the subject of depression or suicide. Everyone seems to be too afraid they will offend someone or make them uncomfortable.
Kellin Quinn doesn’t care who he offends. He speaks and sings openly about his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. When you struggle with depression, the simple feeling of not being alone is enough to keep you sane. And that’s what Kellin and this band are all about.
I have seen this band in concert twice, and I can honestly tell you they have impacted my life immensely.
Kellin made a pact with a group of concert goers in 2016 in Los Angeles, California. There is a song on Sleeping With Sirens’ ‘Madness’ album titled ‘Better Off Dead’, and on November 27, 2016, Kellin spoke about why he wrote the song before he performed it. He explains that even he feels alone sometimes and doesn’t know his purpose in life. He said, and I quote, “I want to tell you something, you’re not alone. If you feel like you’re the only one who understands you, that’s not true. Even the people that are up here, that you think are the most confident, go through being depressed. They go through not knowing why they’re alive. But I’m gonna stick it out. And the reason I’m gonna stick it out is because I feel like there’s a reason I’m here, otherwise I wouldn’t be here, okay? So I’ll make a promise with you: if I stay, you stay. Don’t give up on yourself.”
It’s those simple words, those brief moments of feeling loved, that can be enough to keep someone from committing that permanent act.
Kellin Quinn and Sleeping With Sirens’ music has brought me through many tough times in life. They continue to surprise me with the heart and soul placed so delicately into their music. And this Sunday, when I come face-to-face with Kellin Quinn for the first time, I hope I have the nerve to thank him for all that his music has brought me through. But if I don’t, Kellin, thank you. If, by some miracle, this reaches you, thank you for spreading love and acceptance everywhere you go.
This band and this man mean the world to me, and to so many others. Never underestimate the power of music.
