The band have achieved notable success internationally for their energetic live performances and modern approach to the post-rock genre.

Binetter recruited drummer William Smith and the band recorded a self-titled demo, which was released free online through the Lost Children Net Label.

Later in 2009, founding guitarist Tom Binetter announced his decision to leave the band to pursue a career in law.

The album generated enough buzz for the band to pursue extensive national tours of Australia in regular succession.

They were also invited to support American post-metal band Russian Circles and Japan's Mono and Boris on their Australian visits.

During their national tour in support of the record, it was announced that founding drummer Will Smith would be departing to pursue work interests.

[3] The band performed at the 2011 Peats Ridge Festival for New Year's Eve and announced a national tour for February and March 2012.

They were also invited to co-headline Belgium's dunk!festival alongside 65daysofstatic in April, becoming the first Australian band to play at the event.

Sleepmakeswaves confirmed they would be touring with influential UK electronic-rock band 65daysofstatic on their Australian visit in January 2013[8] and co-headlined Melbourne's Rock The Bay Festival in February 2013 alongside Electric Mary and The Beards.

In January 2013, Sleepmakeswaves released a remix album ...And then they remixed everything featuring new interpretations of their album tracks, with contributions from 65daysofstatic, Rosetta, Kyson, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, Glosfrosch, Ten Thousand Free Men & Their Families, Atlantis and True Vibe Nation member DJ Klue.

The band announced an extensive Australian tour for June & July 2013, premiering new material and performing multiple shows in cities with alternating sets each night.

[9] In June 2013, the band announced they had signed with UK label Monotreme Records, for a US and European release of their debut album.

[citation needed] In August 2017, the band traveled to the UK for an exclusive main stage set at ArcTanGent Festival.

In 2019, the band co-headlined a UK & Europe tour with COG, performing at Prognosis Festival in the Netherlands and other club dates.

The first song, "Cascades" from the No Safe Place EP, was premiered on Triple J's Home and Hosed, followed by tracks "Batavia" and "The Endings That We Write" in subsequent weeks.