Dream Aria made received “Top Band of the Year” from MySpace recently, and with the vibe they send out it’s not surprising. I just recently sat down and listened to their latest album “Fallen Angel” and indeed I was blown away. They are listed as Rock/Progressive/World Music/Alternative
I got the chance to ask Ann a little bit about the band and here is what he shared.
How did you get started, little history bio basically?
Don Stagg (composer/keyboardist/executive producer) started the project in 2003 I believe and I joined the band in April of 2004. Don found me on the internet as a “singer for hire”. I feel very blessed that he contacted me! He was already working with Garry Flint (drummer/engineer/producer) on a number of songs. They had me come in to have a listen and I loved what I heard. I did an audition of sorts and started writing and recording with them that very day. The rest is history! The music started out more classical and evolved to progressive rock with elements of new age, ambient, goth and world music. Don had also hired Jozef Pilasanovic on guitar and Garry was writing and recording bass and drum parts. Our first cd was “In The Wake” as this lineup. For our second cd “Transcend”, we hired new guitarists: Steve Agelakos, Kurt Schefter, Mark Crossley and Tim Welch. We then brought bassist Jon Casselman on board for bass. Lonnie Glass played bass on the song “Compassion” and Alberto Suarez played congas on the same tune. “Transcend” was a bit ‘heavier’ and more of a ‘focused’ sound that truly became our own. “Fallen Angel”, our newest release, is a bit heavier than the others but remained our signature sound. We added even more guitarists to our ‘all-star’ lineup. Kurt and Tim played on quite a few tracks and we also hired Mark Crossley, Rob Masiokas for the song “The Gift”, Mike Phelps on “Abstract Relations”and Mark McClay on “Carnival of Souls”. Dream Aria would not be the same without any of the members of the band. They are all integral creative forces. Their professionalism and awesome personalities add so much to the mix!
What or who inspired you?
Personally, I have many inspirations. Life lessons, artists, animals, dancers, singers and all musicians and music in general! I grew up listening to classical music, then Crystal Gayle, Abba, as well as many of the rock to hard rock bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Some of my favorites were Toto, Deep Purple, Streetheart and the Scorpions. I also listened to some New Age including Andreas Vollenweider. As for the rest of the band, I know some of the musical influences are Peter Gabriel, Old Genesis, Debussy, The Beatles, Progressive Rock and more.
What instruments do you play and who manufactured them?
As a singer, I only use a mic, whatever is handy in the studio. I don’t pay attention to the make or model etc. I just sing and let Garry do the engineering.
{Don Stagg keyboard player uses Korg Karma/Roland Fantom/Yamaha Motif}
What do you listen to?
I listen to the bands I listed in question #2. Currently I also listen to Chris Botti, DcTalk, Queen City Kids, Kansas and an ecclectic mix of many others depending on my mood.
What makes you happy? sad?
Many things make me happy, such as good company, great food, all kinds of music (listening to and creating), art (viewing and creating it), dance (watching and also dancing myself), people who overcome obstacles, my family, all animals (especially dogs), learning new things, helping others, inspiring others, warm sunny days, traveling, exploring, reading thrillers and inspirational books, watching good movies, flowers, chocolate, tea and so on! What makes me sad is any kind of abuse towards people, animals and the earth.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Many of the things I listed in question #5, but most of all, spending time with my beautiful angel daughter, my family and my dog.
If you could do anything you wanted what would it be?
Have enough money to help everyone who needs it and to inspire and help others as much as possible.
Anything else you think people don’t already know about you that you want to share?
I’m a little ‘firecracker’ but would never hurt a fly!
Check out ReverbNation, MySpace, Facebook, Dream Aria.
Thanks again to Ann for taking the time to talk to us.
December 19, 2011 | Categories: Alternative, Commentary, Interview, Music, News, Progressive, Rock, World Music | Tags: Alternative, Dream Aria, Music, Progressive, Rock, World Music | Leave a comment
Listen. Music. Sound 
Dream Aria……exciting and awesome from Canada.
Dream Aria made received “Top Band of the Year” from MySpace recently, and with the vibe they send out it’s not surprising. I just recently sat down and listened to their latest album “Fallen Angel” and indeed I was blown away. They are listed as Rock/Progressive/World Music/Alternative
I got the chance to ask Ann a little bit about the band and here is what he shared.
How did you get started, little history bio basically?
Don Stagg (composer/keyboardist/executive producer) started the project in 2003 I believe and I joined the band in April of 2004. Don found me on the internet as a “singer for hire”. I feel very blessed that he contacted me! He was already working with Garry Flint (drummer/engineer/producer) on a number of songs. They had me come in to have a listen and I loved what I heard. I did an audition of sorts and started writing and recording with them that very day. The rest is history! The music started out more classical and evolved to progressive rock with elements of new age, ambient, goth and world music. Don had also hired Jozef Pilasanovic on guitar and Garry was writing and recording bass and drum parts. Our first cd was “In The Wake” as this lineup. For our second cd “Transcend”, we hired new guitarists: Steve Agelakos, Kurt Schefter, Mark Crossley and Tim Welch. We then brought bassist Jon Casselman on board for bass. Lonnie Glass played bass on the song “Compassion” and Alberto Suarez played congas on the same tune. “Transcend” was a bit ‘heavier’ and more of a ‘focused’ sound that truly became our own. “Fallen Angel”, our newest release, is a bit heavier than the others but remained our signature sound. We added even more guitarists to our ‘all-star’ lineup. Kurt and Tim played on quite a few tracks and we also hired Mark Crossley, Rob Masiokas for the song “The Gift”, Mike Phelps on “Abstract Relations”and Mark McClay on “Carnival of Souls”. Dream Aria would not be the same without any of the members of the band. They are all integral creative forces. Their professionalism and awesome personalities add so much to the mix!
What or who inspired you?
Personally, I have many inspirations. Life lessons, artists, animals, dancers, singers and all musicians and music in general! I grew up listening to classical music, then Crystal Gayle, Abba, as well as many of the rock to hard rock bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Some of my favorites were Toto, Deep Purple, Streetheart and the Scorpions. I also listened to some New Age including Andreas Vollenweider. As for the rest of the band, I know some of the musical influences are Peter Gabriel, Old Genesis, Debussy, The Beatles, Progressive Rock and more.
What instruments do you play and who manufactured them?
As a singer, I only use a mic, whatever is handy in the studio. I don’t pay attention to the make or model etc. I just sing and let Garry do the engineering.
{Don Stagg keyboard player uses Korg Karma/Roland Fantom/Yamaha Motif}
What do you listen to?
I listen to the bands I listed in question #2. Currently I also listen to Chris Botti, DcTalk, Queen City Kids, Kansas and an ecclectic mix of many others depending on my mood.
What makes you happy? sad?
Many things make me happy, such as good company, great food, all kinds of music (listening to and creating), art (viewing and creating it), dance (watching and also dancing myself), people who overcome obstacles, my family, all animals (especially dogs), learning new things, helping others, inspiring others, warm sunny days, traveling, exploring, reading thrillers and inspirational books, watching good movies, flowers, chocolate, tea and so on! What makes me sad is any kind of abuse towards people, animals and the earth.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Many of the things I listed in question #5, but most of all, spending time with my beautiful angel daughter, my family and my dog.
If you could do anything you wanted what would it be?
Have enough money to help everyone who needs it and to inspire and help others as much as possible.
Anything else you think people don’t already know about you that you want to share?
Check out ReverbNation, MySpace, Facebook, Dream Aria.
I’m a little ‘firecracker’ but would never hurt a fly!
Thanks again to Ann for taking the time to talk to us.
December 19, 2011 | Categories: Alternative, Commentary, Interview, Music, News, Progressive, Rock, World Music | Tags: Alternative, Dream Aria, Music, Progressive, Rock, World Music | Leave a comment