WASHED OUT 80’s SYNTHS ALONGSIDE modern electronic sensibilities.

Brisbane’s most exciting up-and-coming electronic duo, Dream Coast, channel the likes of Tangerine Dream, Vangelis, Boards Of Canada and James Holden interspersed with their own original cuts.
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Can you tell us a bit about your journey into electronic music. When did you first discover it and what drove you to start making it? Conor: Electronic music was a big part of our high school years and allowed us to tell stories through music. We began mixing tracks that we both enjoyed and then started to create our own. We still keep that long-form storytelling idea the same.

Your synth sound is heavily indebted to the 80s. What do you love about this period of music? Conor: As we began exploring how to create electronic music we became entranced by the sounds of vintage synthesizers and have used them ever since.

Josh: It is really our synthesisers we have that directs our sound. We like the washed-out 80s sounds from our gear but I like to think we still have modern electronic sensibilities.

Tell us a bit about your setup. Is it a mix of hardware and software? Josh: In the studio, song ideas start with hardware. Our method to create ideas is through looping bits from our synths using sequencers, arp functions and samples. I then take these initial demoes (which are usually ambient sketches) and warp, combine and re-record things into our DAW.

How did you decide to approach your Lazydaze mix? Are there any particularly special tracks or moments in there for you? Conor: It was great to be asked to make a mix for Lazydaze because it has given us a chance to share some downtempo/ambient music we love but wouldn’t normally get a chance to play. 

Josh: All the songs soundtrack special moments from the last few years and have inspired us in different ways. We tried hard to keep a good flow and also found some space to include some unreleased bits and pieces.

What’s your all time favourite electronic film score? Conor: I like Interstellar the most. That's the only.one that sticks out to me, but it isn't electronic.

Josh: Hard to choose one but the first thing I thought of was the Tangerine Dream soundtrack for Sorcerer.

How has your tour been going so far and what can people expect from your upcoming show in Sydney? Josh: The Melbourne show was great! It was the fifth birthday for Laser Highway (a monthly synthwave/ 80s night) and it was completely packed out in the club with a huge line of people waiting to get in that went right down the street! Needless to say, it was very sweaty and our new club tracks got a great reception.

The Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane shows will be more of the same: club versions of old things and a bunch of new beats we are road-testing.

Dream Coast 2020 East Coast Tour Dates
15 / 2 - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
21 / 2 - Elsewhere, Gold Coast
22 / 2 - Tomcat, Brisbane

You can check out the full tracklist for Dream Coast’s mix over at Soundcloud