Neal: Absolutely yes! A lot of opportunities open up for those signed with major labels.

Isaac: What do you feel is the one aspect of making music that excites you the most right now?

Dellynn: Right now is the time for a real, raw, genuine shift in our society. What better way to be sending the message out than through music!

Jimmy: I can’t choose any one aspect. I love the whole process. I love every minute that I am creating, recording or performing.

Neal: The most amazing aspect to me is sharing what we create in a live setting. Feeling the enthusiasm of the crowd and knowing that we are helping to create that positive and uplifting energy is very cool.

Isaac: What do you feel is the one aspect of making music that gets you the most discouraged?

Dellynn: ...that a lot of people think there is a "mold" you should fit into to be "popular" or "excepted".

Jimmy: I’ve done this for so long that nothing discourages me anymore.

Neal: ...moving equipment.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Dellynn: Yes I do believe it does. I think there are numerous indie bands that have paved the way and set the rest of us up to get the kind of exposure that is due. Also, there is a large group of people who are looking for more creative groups they can truly appreciate.

Jimmy: That’s a loaded question. There aren’t many filters when it comes to indie music. I review a ton of indie artists for various webzines. The problem is I have heard, both, the best music and music that lacks all basic essentials, like pitch, meter and key in the indie realm. So it’s really an impossible question to answer. Filtering is a main function of labels. But labels also tend to filter out some quality music in lieu of a pretty face.
 

Dream Chemistry 

Neal: Yes, I think Indie music gets the respect it deserves. An Indie artist typically doesn't have as large of an audience to share their music with, but I think if someone likes a song it doesn't matter if the artist is signed to a Major Label or an Indie Label. It's all about writing good music.

Isaac: In your opinion, what are your thoughts on how the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording impact the qualities of the show/recording?

Neal: When we played outside at the Goodyear Gardens right off the I-10 freeway, there was construction going on with loud hammering during our entire performance and there was nothing we could do about it.

Isaac: I am interested in knowing if in what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived) affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

Dellynn: I think living in Arizona has really caused me to appreciate the beauty of nature. I have been inspired by how a desert can be filled with so many beautiful colors from the flowers and cactus to the sunsets that glow in the sky.

Jimmy: I grew up in Hawaii. Hawaiian music tends to be very country sounding with a jazzy flavor. There are definitely some of those influences in what I write.

Neal: I've been in Arizona since the age of 5 and I listen to a very wide range of music... so I don't know if living somewhere else would affect what I write and listen to.

Isaac: What can you tell our publication about the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about the whole process?

Dellynn: The most recent song I wrote literally came to me in a dream. It was very surreal, I was being carried through a castle hall that was very dimly lit and heard these angelic voices echoing through the pathways. As soon as I woke up, I got out of bed and went straight to my guitar to capture the notes in my memory and later that afternoon went down to the basement studio to record it!

Jimmy: I have a process for producing and recording and even preparing for a gig but I have no set process for writing music. In Dream Chemistry, I’ve written entire chord changes and then allowed the rest of the group to expand on that. Neal has written entire bass lines first and then we have added our interpretations. I have written chord changes to melodies that Michael has played me.

We have literally just jammed in a room and then taken the best parts and melodies and created a song. Lyrics have come, both, completed by one person or in parts with everyone contributing a line or two. The variations of how songs come together in this group are endless. It is a rarity, but this group has 5 true artists within the group. I can honestly say, almost every song has had its own unique process.

Neal: Well, once during a band rehearsal we had decided to take a break, but like most breaks I kept playing around with my Dulcimer. I found myself playing some new rhythm and Tito overheard me and joined in. Pretty soon everyone else stopped their break and joined in as well. We wrote a whole song, on the spot, in just a few minutes. And I should add; it also happens to be the first song we wrote collectively as a band. Pretty cool, huh?

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Dellynn: I would absolutely continue to make music if there were no money involved. It is planted deep within me and would always find its way out.

Jimmy: I have had many brushes with fame and fortune, never getting over the hump. I’ve been making music for 32 years and will be making it for another 50, should I live that long.

Neal: Playing music is healing to my Self. Yes, I would continue, especially if it is with the members of Dream Chemistry.

Isaac: Do you have a strong support system with your family and friends?

Dellynn: I do have a wonderful support system. My boyfriend is a musician as well and supports all my musical adventures. He helps in many ways to keep it all alive! My family and friends are all very encouraging also.

Jimmy: I have a great support system. Though, I am mostly self-sufficient through investments I have made, my wife and entire family do support my career choice (music) implicitly.

Neal: I have better than a support system, not only does my wife Cindy support what I am doing, but she asks "how can I help" and then makes it happen. It is such a big part of her life as well and that makes me very happy. I'm just lucky like that. And as far as me helping myself, I married Cindy! hahahaha!!!!

Isaac: As you continue your own path for making music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

Dellynn: I have always been interested in discovering new musicians and bands. It has only increased since I have gotten involved with writing. It is inspiring for me to experience other people’s gifts.

Jimmy: As stated earlier, I spend a lot of time reviewing independent artists. So I hear as much music as I always have. It’s just not main stream. I have lost focus on what is happening in the main stream, as I cannot listen to the radio without changing channels until I find something that I like. And that just annoys me.

Neal: At this time, I find that I am less interested in seeking out music by other people. Although there are a few newer heavy bands that I think rock.

Isaac: As far as your influences, what would you say are the musical periods or styles that you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?

Dellynn: I am most drawn to opposite styles. I absolutely love acoustic mellow dramatic vibes like Iron and Wine, Andrew Bird, Feist, Ray Lamontagne, Sufjan Stevens... but then I also LOVE bands that just play this masterminded, ALL OUT performance as well, like Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Muse, Queen, and Primus!

Jimmy: I like Bach from the Baroque Period, almost everything from the classical period and Gustav Mahler from the Romantic period. I’m not fond of the big band era or rock & roll era, although I do like a lot of the R&B that came out in the 50’s and 60’s. The Beatles, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple (late 60’s/early 70’s), progressive rock and art rock of the 70’s like Kansas, Yes, Genesis and King Crimson. Early 80’s heavy metal (Judas Priest, Merciful Fate, Iron Maiden), late 80’s groove rock (Dan Reed Network, Maggie’s Dream, Extreme), Alice in Chains and Soundgarden from the 90’s grunge era (the rest were too loose and sloppy for my taste).

I also listen to a lot of fusion, progressive rock, and new age from the 90’s (Yanni, Acoustic Alchemy, Symphony X.) Since the turn of the century my tastes have been so diverse that to list them would be futile. Today, I listened to Gypsy Soul, Incubus, Opeth, Sade, Robby Roberson and Dream Chemistry. How’s that for spastic?

Neal: I can't answer that because my taste in music crosses all musical periods and styles. I love everything (except RAP)!

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Jimmy: For starters, we can be found at the following webs and networks. You can also connect with some of us individually on Facebook.

www.DreamChemistry.com
www.cdbaby.com/artist/dreamchemistry
www.facebook.com/dreamchemistry
www.youtube.com/dreamchemistrymusic
www.reverbnation.com/dreamchemistry


Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

Dellynn: Learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

Neal: Please go to our website and listen to our music. If you like what you hear buy a CD or two and maybe even a Dream Chemistry shirt. Thanks for listening!