Revisiting Dream Commander after the release of his latest EP. We have our upcoming show this Friday, Sep 18th at Darrell’s Tavern in Seattle with Future Flux 84, ODDitee, and Velocity 128 (feat. Iterations)!
Upcoming music video clip for Dream Commander - Hypercolour
Q1: Congrats on the new EP and the recent release shows! What would you say was the biggest change in how you approached this one? Or was it a more focused process to dial in what you’ve built upon previously?
DC: Thank you so much. I probably spent the most time on writing and production for this collection of songs than any previous releases. My personal [goal] was to reach the next level both creatively and technically, from a production standpoint, and I feel strongly that my mission was accomplished. I was also able to work with UK-based mastering engineer Marc Matthews, which helped the EP's overall sound shine even brighter! One last thing to note, was the original cover art by Chase Hoblitzell. It was the first time in this project I had collaborated with another artist and I felt like the visual art meshed with the music pretty well.
Q2: What’s been a surprise for you, good or bad, while creating and finishing Levels?
DC: Great question. I feel like there are surprises hidden behind every turn, whether it comes to the creative process or networking with other musicians and connecting with someone unexpectedly.
There's always been this thing driving me that needs a creative musical outlet. I imagine I will probably always make music and receive joy from that alone, as long as I'm feeling satisfied with the process. On the other side of the coin is the business aspect of making/selling music and playing gigs. It's a very tough nut to crack and I've been able to experience some real highs and lows in that regard. I'm always surprised when people want to come out and show support for me in this endeavor, as well as extremely grateful.
Dream Commander - levels EP
As long as I have some type of audience out there I don't ever foresee myself quitting the game. I can't always explain the numbers and there can be a fair share of lowlights, but I try to stay positive and soak up the communal experience that is found in making art and being a part of something. It's been awesome connecting with so many like minded individuals in the last several years while I've been working on Levels and getting it out there!
Q3: We have another upcoming show in Seattle on September 18th at Darrell’s Tavern, with Future Flux 84 this time, and ODDitee once again. We’re almost a touring crew! Haha. What are some of the most memorable shows you’ve played in any band or project?
DC: I'm very much looking forward to sharing the stage with you all again! Looking back, I was fortunate to be able to play drums in several touring rock acts in the early to mid-2000s. We played in venues all around the country, mostly smaller and DIY venues. But we got to play with so many interesting bands/artists of that era. The largest gig I ever played was a sold out Crystal Ballroom show in Portland, Oregon around 2010-2011 with a band called Virgin Islands (long disbanded) but we were opening for Conner Oberst's old rock band, Desaparecidos, who randomly decided to reunite that year.
Q4: What’s the next type of show you want to play - underground warehouse party or mountain camping festival? No wrong answers, both are possible in the Pacific Northwest. Some folks can pull it off on the same day, even.
DC: After this latest run, I think I may take a break from doing Dream Commander shows for a little while. I feel like it may be time to hunker down and get creative again. The way my current workflow operates, it's impossible for me to be able to write/record music AND be actively performing. But if something (a gig or whatnot) is offered to me that I simply cannot refuse, I will obviously take it and put the production on hold, lol. Thankfully, I have other ongoing gigging opportunities outside of this project to help scratch that itch.
Featured Show: Friday 8:30pm, 18 September 2026 at Darrell’s Tavern in Seattle WA!
Lineup: Synthwave / Cyberpunk night! Future Flux 84, ODDitee, Dream Commander, and Velocity 128 (full hardware synth lineup w/ Iterations)
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Check out our previous coversation from last year discussing Dream Commander's creative process and the Seattle music community here: Commanding the Dream: Seattle to Portland and Back Again