Dream State
Dream State | |
|---|---|
 Dream State performing in Hamburg in 2020. From left to right: Rhys Wilcox, Jamie Lee, CJ Gilpin, Aled Evans | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | South Wales, UK |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | UNFD |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | dreamstateofficial |
Dream State are a Welsh rock band from South Wales formed in 2014. They signed to Australian record label UNFD in 2017 and have released two EPs (their debut Consequences in 2015 and Recovery in 2018) as well as a studio album Primrose Path.
The band currently consists of guitarist Aled Evans, along with bassist Jake Bowen, drummer Tom Connolly and vocalist Jessie Powell.
History
[edit]Formation and Consequences
[edit]Dream State was formed in Carmarthen South Wales, UK, in 2014 practising in the Golden Lion pub by vocalist CJ Gilpin, guitarists Aled Evans and Sam Harrison-Little, bassist Danny Rayer and drummer Jamie Lee.[2]
They released their first single, "Burn Them Down", on 8 January 2015.[3] Later that year, on 20 November, they released their first EP Consequences, which was recorded at The Boneyard Studio in South Wales.[4][5]
Line-up change, UNFD and Recovery
[edit]In March 2017 the band released their single "White Lies".[6] That summer they had their first festival appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals.[7] It was later announced, that Dream State had signed to independent record label UNFD at the festival.[8][9]
2017 also saw a change in line-up. Founding member Sam Harrison-Little was replaced by Rhys Wilcox.[10]
On 18 May 2018, the band's second EP Recovery was released through UNFD.[11]
Dream State is featured on the 2018 compilation album Songs That Saved My Life in aid of mental health and suicide prevention charities. For the compilation, the band recorded a cover of Linkin Park's "Crawling".[12]
Primrose Path and departure of Danny Rayer
[edit]On 6 March 2019, Dream State released the single "Hand in Hand".[13][14]
The band released their single "Primrose" on 10 July 2019. It is their first release after the departure of bassist Danny Rayer, who "has decided to focus his time on his wonderful family."[15]
On 20 August 2019, the band released their single "Open Windows" and also announced that their debut album Primrose Path, produced by Dan Weller, would be released on 18 October 2019.[16]
Dream State released their single "Twenty Letters" on 8 October 2019, a day after its premiere on Annie Mac's Radio 1's Future Sounds on BBC Radio 1.[17][18]
On 18 October 2019 their debut album Primrose Path was released and opened on position 100 in the official UK Albums Chart.[19] Loudwire named it one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019.[20] Following the release, the band went on a UK headliner tour beginning on 27 October 2019 in Glasgow and went on to support Being as an Ocean on their tour through Europe afterwards.[21] In the beginning of 2020, Dream State supported I Prevail on their Europe tour.[22][23][24] The final leg of the tour had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]
Dream State released their music video for "Are You Ready To Live?" on 24 June 2020. The video features clips sent in by fans as well as live footage of the band.[26]
On 28 October 2020 the band released their single "Monsters".[27] Two days later, Dream State announced the amicable departure of drummer Jamie Lee.[28]
Departure of CJ and Rhys, new lineup
[edit]On 24 February 2022 a statement from guitarist Aled Evans was posted on the bands social media, announcing that CJ Gilpin and Rhys Wilcox have left the band. It was also revealed that the band had brought in a new drummer and a new bassist, which was unnamed during that time.[29] The new lineup has been unveiled on 14 October 2022 through their social media accounts, bassist Jake Bowen, drummer Tom Connolly and vocalist Jessie Powell were introduced as the new members. Along with the new lineup, the band released a new song and music video for "Taunt Me".[30][31] In December 2022, they announced their EP "Untethered" with a release date of 3rd of February 2023 and released the single "Comfort in Chaos". In February 2023, they released "Chain Reactions", the 3rd and final single from their "Untethered EP" and embarked on a UK tour. In June, it was announced Dream State would tour the UK and Europe alongside As December Falls in late 2023. In October, they supported Funeral For a Friend at Cardiff Utilita Arena. On the 18th of October, they announced their upcoming mini album "Still Dreaming" for a release date of 26th of January 2024.
Musical style and influences
[edit]Dream State's musical style has mostly been described as post-hardcore and alternative rock.[32][33][34][35][36] Jake Richardson of Kerrang! wrote about the band's sound: "It can loosely be described as post-hardcore, but the quintet throw in elements of math-rock, metal and punk and impress at every point."[32]
They have cited influences including While She Sleeps, A Day to Remember,[1] Slipknot, Tool and Linkin Park.[37][38]
Members
[edit]Current
- Aled Evans – lead guitar (2014–present), rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)
- Jake Bowen – bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)
- Tom Connolly – drums (2021–present)
- Jessie Powell – lead vocals (2022–present)
Former
- Sam Harrison-Little – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–2017)
- Danny Rayer – bass guitar (2014–2019)
- Jamie Lee – drums (2014–2020)
- Charlotte-Jayne "CJ" Gilpin – lead vocals (2014–2021)
- Rhys Wilcox – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2017–2021)
Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [19] | ||
| Primrose Path |
| 100 |
Extended plays
[edit]| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Consequences |
|
| Recovery |
|
| Untethered |
|
| Still Dreaming |
|
Compilation appearances
[edit]- Songs That Saved My Life (2018) – "Crawling" (originally performed by Linkin Park)
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Title | Album | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | "Burn Them Down" | Consequences | Scott Samuel |
| "Rebuild, Recreate" | weCREATE | ||
| 2017 | "White Lies" | Recovery | Zak Pinchin |
| 2018 | "In This Hell" | ||
| "New Waves" | Clearway Media | ||
| 2019 | "Primrose" | Primrose Path | Zak Pinchin |
| "Open Windows" | |||
| "Twenty Letters" | |||
| 2020 | "Are You Ready To Live?" | ||
| "Monsters" | Non-album single | ||
| 2022 | "Taunt Me" | Untethered | |
| 2023 | "Comfort In Chaos" | ||
| "Chain Reactions" | Theodore Swaddling | ||
| "Chin Up Princess" | Still Dreaming | GLK Media | |
| "Still Dreaming" | |||
| "Anxious State Of Mind" | |||
| 2024 | "Day Seeker" | ||
| "Bloom" | TBA |
Awards
[edit]Kerrang! Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Dream State | Best British Breakthrough | Won[39] |
Heavy Music Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Dream State | Best UK Breakthrough Band | Won[40] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Dream State: Finding Comfort in Chaos". 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Get To Know The Unify 2019 Lineup – Dream State – Overdrive Music Magazine". Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Burn Them Down – Single, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "Consequences, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "RAMzine: Issue 5 – Bloodstock Festival". Issuu. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ "White Lies, by DREAM STATE". DREAM STATE. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "New band Dream State are whipping up quite an emo buzz on YouTube". Metro. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "UNIFD announce signing of UK band Dream State – The Music Network". The Music Network. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
- ^ "Dream State: "Rock is making a comeback"". Upset Magazine. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ RhinoRadio (7 June 2018), Exclusive interview with CJ and Rhys of Dream State (Ore B \m/, Louder), retrieved 29 November 2018
- ^ "Dream State Announce New EP 'Recovery' + Release New Single 'New Waves'". UNFD. Retrieved 14 December 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dream State Cover "Crawling" for "Songs That Saved My Life" Compilation". The Prelude Press. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "DREAM STATE". dreamstateofficial.com. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ brownypaul (6 March 2019). "Dream State have dropped their new song 'Hand In Hand'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ "Dream State Have Dropped A Brand New Single + Announced Their Largest Headline Tour To Date - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Dream State Announce Debut Album Primrose Path; Release New Single Open Windows". Kerrang!. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ "DREAM STATE release brand new single 'Twenty Letters' / Premiere last night with Annie Mac on Radio 1". Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ "NEWS: Dream State share video for 'Twenty Letters'! | DEAD PRESS! | It's more than "just music" to us". www.deadpress.co.uk. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Dream State | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ "The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ "[Press Release] Dream State Release New Single "Twenty Letters"". 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ rockyourlyrics (2 March 2020). "Dream State European Tour in March supporting I PREVAIL". Rock Your Lyrics. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "I Prevail bestätigen den Special Guest ihrer Headliner-Tour 2020". MoreCore.de (in German). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "I Prevail". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "I Prevail Announces Postponement of UK and European Tour Dates". Music Mayhem Magazine. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "Dream State Have Released A Video For 'Are You Ready To Live?' - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- ^ "NEWS: Dream State debut new single, 'Monsters'!". DEAD PRESS! | It's more than "just music" to us. 28 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Dream State release new music video for 'Monsters'". Distorted Sound Magazine. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "Dream State Announce The Departure Of CJ Gilpin And Rhys Wilcox - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Dream State Reveal New Line-Up & Release New Track 'Taunt Me'". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ "DREAM STATE on Instagram". Instagram. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Release of the Week: Dream State's Recovery". Kerrang!. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ "Dream State at Camden Assembly". Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
- ^ Hockey, Josh (14 May 2018). "Dream State – Recovery (Review)". Depth Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ "Dream State: Recovery EP". Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ Marshall, Will. "Dream State – Recovery | EP Review". Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ Hammer, Metal Hammer 2018-02-05T12:12:00 350Z Metal (5 February 2018). "New Band of the Week: Dream State". Metal Hammer Magazine. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Marshall, Will. "Introducing... Dream State". Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
- ^ "The Kerrang! Awards 2018: "This One's For Chester…"". Kerrang!. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
- ^ "2019 Winners – Heavy Music Awards". Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.