DREAM ARIA INTERVIEW

Dream Aria is:

Donald Stagg (keyboards)

Ann Burstyn (vocals)

Andrew Berezowsky (guitar)

Garry Flint (drums)


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BOOTLEG METAL: So let’s get things started with the name. Who came up with the name and what’s behind it?

DREAM ARIA:  Ann came up the name , both Garry and I felt it very fitting

Dream:
A succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. An involuntary vision occurring to a person when awake. A vision voluntarily indulged in while awake: daydream, reverie something of an unreal beauty, charm or excellence.

Aria:
A lyrical song for a solo voice with orchestral accompaniment, generally expressing intense emotion. It’s found in opera. A deep harmony passage. The vocal-singing expression for a solo singer, adding chorus and instruments based on lyric and/or dramatic and poetic narrative.

BOOTLEG METAL:  Where is the band from?

DREAM ARIA: The band is from Toronto Canada , Ann is originally from Winnipeg but moved to Toronto to pursue a Music Career .

BOOTLEG METAL: Is this the original line up and how did you guys find yourselves in the same band ?

DREAM ARIA:  Ann Burstyn , Garry Flint and myself have been together since 2004 . There we two female opera singers that did work with Garry and I in the very beginning but they left and I was lucky enough when I found Ann to replace them .

How it all started was in 2003 I wrote a bunch of songs and decided to take the songs to the next step and record them . I found Garry through a friend of mine , I started to record and one thing led to the other and then Ann jump on board placed her stamp on the band and then presto we were Dream Aria

There has been different guitar players that left there mark on Dream Aria . Andrew Berezowsky lead guitar /violin, joined Dream Aria a few years back and has been a great contribution.

BOOTLEG METAL: How long has Dream Aria been around and how long after your first rehearsal was it before the first show?

DREAM ARIA:  Dream Aria started in 2004 but at first we were just a studio band once we put out our first cd we did decide to play a few gigs around town , so we kind of did things backwards record first then play live where most bands rehearse , play live then record.

BOOTLEG METAL: Does everyone contribute to the writing process or does someone generally write the lyrics and/or music?

DREAM ARIA:  In the Beginning I wrote most of the music and Lyrics , but things have changed and now its more of a group effort with Ann writing most of the lyrics for the band.
BOOTLEG METAL: What are your songs about? Fact?  Fiction? Personal experiences?

DREAM ARIA:  All Three.

BOOTLEG METAL: What genre do you feel Dream Aria fit’s in the best and what influenced your writing to get you there?

DREAM ARIA:  We have used many different genre in our music in fact I don't think there is another band out there that has moved from genre to genre not only from song to song but also within a song

That would be one of the things that makes Dream Aria different , we have used rock/metal/opera/classical/world/pop/ambient/hard rock/electronic/ sure I am forgetting a few LOL

BOOTLEG METAL: What was your latest gig? 

DREAM ARIA:  Our last gig was a small festival {IndieFest}

BOOTLEG METAL: Where have you played live this year?

DREAM ARIA:  We have not played at all this year , instead we are working on our 4th cd

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a favorite cover that always finds it’s way on your set list and is there a story behind it?

DREAM ARIA:  The only cover we have recored and have played live is Flower Duet written by Leo Delibes in the 1800s

We just recorded Bolero written by Maurice Ravel so it might also be added to our live show in the future , Bolero was also written in the 1800s

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a past show that stands out from the rest?

DREAM ARIA:  It would be the Lee Palace concert where the audience was singing along to our Flower Duet

BOOTLEG METAL: So what’s in the works for Dream Aria?

DREAM ARIA:  We are working on our 4th cd , once we are done I would love to tour .

BOOTLEG METAL: What are your thoughts on your local music scene?

DREAM ARIA:  I am too removed to comment.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there a recent album/EP release you’d like to tell us about and where can we get it?

DREAM ARIA:  We have 3 cds out {working on the 4th} In the Wake, Transcend and Fallen Angel you can buy these cds from Indie Pool or download them from iTunes.

BOOTLEG METAL: I especially like the song “Fallen Angel”. Any back-story to it?

DREAM ARIA:  Ann wrote the lyrics to Fallen Angel and Garry and I wrote the music , there is a video out on youtube and you should be able to see a story line that Ann put together.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have merchandise for sale?

DREAM ARIA:  We did but it is all sold out.

BOOTLEG METAL: Where can you be found online?

DREAM ARIA:  FACEBOOK, REVERBNATION, MYSPACE, TWITTER

BOOTLEG METAL: As far as videos, sites, merch, ect. Are you guys more of a DIY band or do you hire out?

DREAM ARIA:  Mostly DIY.

BOOTLEG METAL: Do you have or are you looking for a label/manager?

DREAM ARIA:  We are still looking for a good manager and label.

BOOTLEG METAL: One question I like to ask. What song (if any) by another artist do you wish you wrote?

DREAM ARIA:  Wow there would be lots how about Musical Box by Genesis.

BOOTLEG METAL: Is there another artist or band that is totally not your genre that you listen to?

DREAM ARIA:  There would be a few folk singers.

BOOTLEG METAL: How do you think downloading music whether legal or illegal affected the music community?

DREAM ARIA:  I know our sales have totally change in the last 5 years , our cd sales are down and our downloads are a bit up and then there is spotify where we gets tons of listen but very little money from it.

BOOTLEG METAL: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and answering the questions. Is there anything you’d like to add?

DREAM ARIA:  I would like to let our fans know there is a new cd coming down the line so keep a watch out and we do hope to tour .