Dreamwave & the Mindcave—an introduction to Dreamwave’s DIY-psych sound
In the swirling cosmos of contemporary psychedelia, Bristol-based quartet Dreamwave emerges with their debut EP, Dreamwave & the Mindcave, out now via Velvet Echoes Records.
Produced by: Dom Bailey
Recorded at Wiltshire’s Nine Volt Studios, adjacent to an abandoned swingers’ club, Dreamwave & the Mindcave is a testament to the band’s commitment to their DIY roots. Drawing from songwriter Ben Symonds’ home demos, some dating back to his teenage years, the EP embraces imperfection, blending rough live takes and outdoor microphones to create a raw, authentic sound that brims with sonic exploration and child-like joy.
Thematically, the EP delves into loneliness, psychedelic states, desire, and hope, weaving a narrative that resonates with intimate moments and obscure references. From the cosmic artwork featuring a young Ben Symonds in a dinosaur outfit beamed into a UFO to the lyrical nods to Warhammer novels and Star Wars, Dreamwave invites listeners on a whimsical journey through their collective consciousness.
The band explains:
“The songs have been plucked from moments in Ben’s life, giving the EP an incoherent timeline of intimacy. The lyrical content portrays loneliness, psychedelic states, desire, and hope: all key themes in the Black Libraries’ Warhammer novels and Star Wars. Humour is ever present in this band, who chose the artwork to be a picture of 7-year-old Ben in a dinosaur outfit beamed into a UFO. They managed to represent everything about the intimacy of the EP whilst simultaneously touching on the obscure.”
For fans of King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Osees, and Levitation Room, Dreamwave’s Dreamwave & the Mindcave is a satisfying introduction to the Bristol band’s sound.
Standout Songs: Mindcave, Hidden Sun, Bungle In The Psych Jungle
6.5
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