FOCUS: "YOUR OWN WORDS" - interview to Dean the Dream

FOCUS: "YOUR OWN WORDS" - interview to Dean the Dream

San Francisco-based songwriter and accomplished poet Dean the Dream has earned a reputation in recent years for his signature blend of brooding psychedelia, hypnotically shoegazey blues, and a groove-laden pop/rock sensibility that invokes in the listener the exhilarated, glittery doom of the unsettled psyche wandering through John Rechy’s fabled City of Night.

Hi Dean the Dream. What are a few words that would best describe you and your musical world?

I'd say my musical world is a (mostly 60's/70's-inspired) blend of rock, blues and pop. My background starts in Detroit, where I grew up, and then to Los Angeles then San Francisco. San Francisco is a wonderful city, but the music scene is a bit quiet. I'd say it's influenced my music indirectly opposed to directly.

What first inspired you to make music?

Many things, though this album specifically deals with desperation and depression.

What are some of the challenges you face as an artist?

How much has the LGBTQ community influenced you?

The main challenge I face would be navigating how exactly to go about doing everything. I'm completely self-taught in audio/engineering, so I make mistakes others wouldn't. I feel like I'm always two steps behind.

Lol, that's great you asked that. I spent my entire last album dedicated to speaking truth for the gay community, only to find that I didn't resonate with my community as much as I thought. Maybe it was the lyrics? Or the music? I'm not sure.

So, now, in terms of community, I'm returning to what I did for "Pink Sun"- speak my experience and see what community builds from that.

What do you think about your music and the creative process?

Each album I write has one or two songs that completely nails the experience I'm trying to evoke. I wouldn't change those recordings for anything. I love them to death. I'm proud of that, and take it very seriously.

What role does technology play in your music?

Not sure. Currently trying to navigate that

Are you working on any new music or planning anything exciting that we can look forward to?

Not really. After "One Season Too Long," I'll probably take a break and retreat to poetry. It seems I've made quite a lovely trilogy with my albums haha.

If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?

Don't ever be afraid to speak your own truth. If the world isn't ready to hear it, that's not your problem; it just means times have changed and the world needs to catch up.

“Heartbeat” was co-produced by Dean the Dream and Brian Ross of Brian Ross Music BMI with beats provided by Amsterdam-based producer NJK. The single is available on AFXRADIO.