Image by ShaLeigh Comerford

The Dreamscapes Project
Interview by: Tracy Lewis
Interview with Lead Singer: Keith Center

The Dreamscapes Project is an edgy dark folk group out of Washington DC featuring 12-string acoustic guitar and cello.

I took the time to stop and to listen to their music and I think they are incredible!  I love the mixture of guitar and cello.  Their music has energy and feeling and that is projected out to the listener in their tracks.
I want the world to know more about them and to be able to experience their music so the following is the interview of which i did with them. Please enjoy!

TL: How was the Dreamscapes Project conceived?

Keith: Well, when a man loves a woman…. oh wait, the band!
In college Jeremy (bass) and I (Keith) spent a lot of time in the Performing Arts Building at George Mason University, I for theater, he for music composition. Despite refusing to join my band, he eventually gave in.

Years later Ben (cellist) opened for us in another band, playing guitar of all things. After finding out he studied Cello at a near by Conservatory (Shenandoah), I asked him to join cementing our sound.
The final piece fell into place when our drummer left and was replaced by Eric (percussion) and Gordon (drums), both local musicians and long time fans of the group. It was at that point that the sound and line
up really gelled to what you hear today.

TL: Who are the members and what do they play? 

Keith Center (Myself) – Lead Vocals/12-string acoustic guitar
Jeremy Rodgers - Bassist/backing vox
Ben Guy – Cello / backing vox
Gordon Shankman – Drums
Eric Sanford- Percussion

TL: In today’s music and all the many different genre what genre do you classify yourselves?

Keith: We tend to play with a lot of different styles from song to song, but
the instrumentation is really what stays consistent. So I think the most accurate genre would be “Acoustic”, although we definitely tend to lean towards an indie rock sound.

TL: How would you describe yourself to the world?

Keith: 5’9″, blonde hair, blue eyes, a little over weight but a great personality!

TL: Well i can see you need to add a great sense of humor to that too!

TL: People in the industry often talk about other musicians having some kind of influence upon them. Has there been any particular musician, or band you feel may have inspired you?

Keith: I think that we are really inspired by almost every artist we run into, especially the ones who are out there doing what they do even despite mainstream success. It is always so inspiring to see someone playing just before or after us, where we just sit and watch and go “man, I wish we could do something like that!”.

Inherently weeks or months later a little something rubs off, and there is some riff or moment inspired from how they made us feel that night.

Keith: For me I find that more popular, well known artists offer me solace or support. I hear a quote, or see a live performance of a band like Mike Doughty, Arcade Fire, Decemberists, or Cowboy mouth and see or hear something they do and think “ok, if they can be successful doing what they are doing, then maybe we can be, doing what we do”

TL: What do you feel makes your band the most unique?

Keith: That’s easy, its our fans. They let us get away with anything, and are
the most supporting loyal crowd you could imagine. I think that is incredibly unique.

TL: Is there any of your performances you have done so far that really stand out to you above the rest, and why?

Keith: Absolutely, the first time we played the 930 club, which is simply a
legendary club in DC. I couldn’t even begin to list all the incredible bands who have passed through the doors of that club, it is consistently rated one of the best venues in the country. I can’t even remember the show itself, I think I was just in shock. Its just a blur of awe and happiness smeared across my long term memory.

TL: If you were given the chance to perform with anyone you wanted, who would it be and why?

Keith: There are SO many incredible bands out there just below the surface of clear channel radio stations and MTV reality shows, a handful we have already had a chance to play with.

Honestly I think it would be incredible to just be able to play one of the big festivals that have gained popularity lately. I just adore the idea of being able to play our set and then spend the day relaxing watching mind blowing act after mind blowing act.

TL: How many songs have you written and produced?

Keith: I think as a band we have something like 40+ original tunes. We also try to help offer advice for bands in our area, help produce things for friends trying to get their feet wet. Its always nice being able to lend a hand after you have been doing something a while.

TL: I think that’s great that you offer your help to others! That’s why i do what i do here with the ezine because everyone can use a friend and a helping hand!

TL: Where can people listen to your music, purchase it and even find out more about you?

Keith: Well our last 4 albums are available up on iTunes, amazon, CD baby,
and most other online retailers.

As for finding out more about us our tour schedule and info is at:
www.theScapes.com,
however we also encourage fans to friend us on facebook, myspace, and twitter.

TL: I know i found you on ReverbNation too!
http://www.reverbnation.com/thedreamscapesproject

Keith: Heck email us if ya want, we are very involved with our fans and will personally answer any message which comes our way, no matter the method sent. Its hard to get them all in the same room to answer questions, so if you are curious about any of them feel free to write them.

TL: Do you have any other or new projects coming up that you want people to know about?

Keith: As a lot of our fans have heard via facebook and twitter, we are already starting to lay down some tracks for a new EP. We actually have a whole albums worth of songs lined up to record, so the next year or so could end up being very exciting times.

TL: What do you hope that your music brings to the world?

Keith: That sounds so important… I am not sure that we are that important.
However, I suppose in a society where the internet is slowly trivializing really human connection into status updates and event invites, I guess I hope that our music just makes people connect and feel again.

TL: What has been your biggest challenge?

Keith: Besides answering probing interview questions?

TL: There is that sense of humor again!

Keith: Marketing would be the biggest challenge. Since our music has always been a bit different, we have had to be very creative marketing it, since a lot of the mainstream methods aren’t real open to the idea.

TL: What advice would you offer to other musicians?

Keith: To yourself be true, and remember to have fun!
A few times in our careers things stopped being fun, every time that has happened we later found out that we had been on the wrong path. That’s not to say that its easy, but it should be fun.

TL: Where do or would you like to see yourself, five years from now?

Keith: Hopefully being featured on flip side to music again! (hint, hint)

TL: No hint necessary…….look forward to it! And i am sure you will have many more great things to tell us then!

Meantime everyone be sure to go check them out at:
http://www.thedreamscapesproject.com/

And Friend Request them on myspace at:
http://www.myspace.com/thedreamscapesproject

Also this weekend be sure to check out our studio as we will be adding their music there for you to enjoy!
http://www.livestream.com/flipsidetomusic

Leave us a comment and/or drop us a line and let us know what you think!

Flip Side to Music would like to express our thanks to Keith for spending this time with us and we wish you and the band much success!!