
We’re Machines Dream, and this is our bio.
We’ll admit right up front that we wear our influences on our sleeves, finding inspiration in the progressive music of the past. Yes, we listened to groups like Pink Floyd, old Genesis, Marillion, King Crimson and Tool while we were growing up; the same way Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton listened to the blues.
However… that’s just our starting point. Our goal is to compose new music, experiment with new sounds and to write meaningful songs that are far more than just tributes to the prog bands of yesterday. We want to build on the progressive music we enjoy listening to, but not treat it like dogma.
Our sound reflects each member of the band, and explores the melodic and cinematic side of progressive and psychedelic music.
Lead guitarist Keith Conway holds a degree in classical guitar, and is also a master of slide, jazz, blues, heavy metal. In the studio or on stage, he rolls all his influences together in a unique and commanding style.
Ken Coulter is the rhythmic epicentre of the band, sitting just behind the beat, taking sometimes complicated music and performing it with a groove and soul that anyone can enjoy.
Keyboard player Brian Holmes is a one man orchestra, drenching the music with layers of strings, pianos, and virtuoso synthesizer work.
Lead vocalist, bass player and sometimes guitarist, Craig West keeps the material grounded with lyrics focusing on real life while completing the band’s live rhythm section and handling studio production.
Our first album was released in March, 2012 and is a collection of songs touching on themes such as mental illness, alienation, the importance of communication, and the desire to find a place in the world that is safe.
The music is dense and cinematic, and if we’ve done our job, then listening to Machines Dream is an experience that is intense and palpable.