In today’s A-Z challenge, we bring you all you need to know about Dreamwake!
A song that made you want to make music?
Bobby: “Shadows” – The Midnight.
Best rider you have had?
Dave: Tequila with Chips & Salsa.
Craziest moment in the band?
Andrew: When we played a show with Imminence on a 24-hour notice. We got a call from our good friend Justin telling us that Landmvrks couldn’t make it to the US in time for the show so they wanted us to kick it off in their place. We scrambled and rearranged our schedules to make everything work, and even caught our sax player Kellon on a good day. It ended up being one of the most fun shows we’ve gotten to do and we were proud of how quickly and efficiently we executed it all.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Dave: “It took so long for me to find the emptiness inside your eyes won’t fade away with time” from Cold Summer.
Easiest song you wrote?
Bobby: Heatwave, that song came together very naturally and quickly for us!
Favourite song in your set?
Andrew: “Paradise”
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Kevin: The Midnight. They are one of the artists that brings us the most inspiration.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Kevin: Having to complete the non-artist tasks and upholding the business side of things while still tapping into our personal artistry.
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Dave: Andrew met President Obama.
Jokes you have in the band?
Dave: “Why what’s up?” It started when I couldn’t find a crew member and Bobby told me “He’s still in Florida, why what’s up?” And now we use it as a joke with anything from minor inconveniences to actual problems.
Key to writing a song?
Bobby: Don’t overthink or force anything. Get into a state of mind that sparks your creativity and keep trying new things until it feels right to you. Also, no filler parts! Every layer should have a purpose at all times. Melody is also very important.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Andrew: We once travelled from New Jersey to Columbus, OH in between shows in a day.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Dave: The sax player you hear on our recordings – Jesse Molloy. He’s very inspiring all around in the sense that he’s a very renowned musician, has done so much in music, and is an incredibly humble person and a pleasure to be around. He’s the definition of integrity in his talent and his personality all the same.
New band you’d recommend?
Dave: Vianova.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Kevin: The Midnight.
Place you’d most like to tour?
Dave: Japan, Italy, Australia.
Quote that you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Andrew: “Be here now.” I like how it resonates to live in the present and enjoy the moments that we have before they’re gone.
Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?
Dave: “The Lost Years” is the perfect encompassment of what all of the songs mean to us. Each song dives into a bit of a different emotion, but the whole album is about embracing those “lost years” and looking towards a brighter future.
See us live at?
Bobby: All over the US & Canada from August to September with Thousand Below.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
Dave: That’s one that’s neither agreed or disagreed for us. All music is part of each other and older music has shaped newer music today. It’s all a necessary part of this industry and it all has its own ways of being interesting.
Unusual merchandise?
Andrew: We once sold someone a signed package of Toast-Chee crackers for $5.
Variations you’d like to do on one of your songs?
Kevin: Synthwave renditions!
What do your fans mean to you?
Dave: Everything. As much as we make this music for ourselves, we also make it with the goal of others connecting to it emotionally and giving them a place where they feel seen within whatever may be happening in their life. Our fans have been so passionate and supportive of our music, and feeling that connection is one of the best things about our job.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band injuries?
Dave: I fell while snowboarding a week before a show and caused a Type 3 AC Separation – essentially all of the ligaments connecting the shoulder bone to the collar bone torn. X-rays were needed at the mountain and again back at home. After that it was a sling for a month and some physical therapy.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Dave: Andy when we stop at a gas station and he walks out 15 minutes later with an ice cream cake.
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Kevin: Donkey or monkey.