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.
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 |
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| Past members |
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| Website | dreamstateofficial |
The band currently consists of guitarist Aled Evans, along with bassist Jake Bowen, drummer Tom Connolly and vocalist Jessie Powell.
History
Formation and Consequences
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
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
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
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
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]
Slipknot, Tool and Linkin Park have been cited as some of the band's influences.[37][38]
Members
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
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK [19] | ||
| Primrose Path |
| 100 |
Extended plays
| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Consequences |
|
| Recovery |
|
| Untethered |
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| Still Dreaming |
|
Compilation appearances
- Songs That Saved My Life (2018) – "Crawling" (originally performed by Linkin Park)
Music videos
| 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" |
Awards
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] |