Over the last couple of years, Halifax-based trio Neon Dreams have rapidly emerged as one of the brightest new stars on the Canadian music horizon. The success story they are writing has long and deep roots, however, for Frank Kadillac, Adrian Morris, and Matt Gats have been playing together in different configurations for the last nine years. The result is a tight-knit band with a strong personal and musical foundation, one destined to help Neon Dreams go a long way in the business.
They just released their new EP Wolf, Princess and Me, I had a chance to chat with Matt from the band. Our interview is below:
Jenn: Tell us a little about you?
Matt: Hey, my name is Matt Gats I play guitar in Neon Dreams
Jenn: How was your summer?
Matt: Our Summer was excellent, we had the chance to go all over Canada playing festivals for the first time. One of the highlights was opening up for the Chain Smokers at the Calgary Stampede. We all have been fans for the last couple years so it was cool to link up and meet plus share the stage with them.
Jenn: Your single “Marching Bands” went gold. How did that feel?
Matt: It’s crazy feeling… We started playing together in each other’s basements 10 years ago. To see how far we have come and to now have a Gold record, is surreal.
Jenn: On September 22nd, you released your new EP “Wolf, Princess & Me”. Tell us a little about the album?
Matt: Wolf, Princess & Me is a concept EP that explores a turbulent love triangle. It includes 6 songs that goes through story of love and betrayal. Musically we wanted to make something that doesn’t stick to genres and explore all our influences over the past 10 years. We feel really great about this EP and are excited to finally share it with our fans!
Jenn: Who are some of your musical influences?
Matt: Growing up we had many different influences, Frank and I bonded over our love of Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, and Taking Back Sunday. Adrian is the biggest Blink 182 fan I have ever met, but for me growing up playing guitar I was a huge System Of A Down fan followed by many others such as Alexisonfire, Avenged Sevenfold, and Kanye West. Too many to list off.
Jenn: How did you get started in the music industry?
Matt: We asked every venue in Halifax if we could play their club, practiced a lot and learned to adapt to every room we were in. At the end of the day it really is just about hard work.
Jenn: What are you plans for the rest of the year into 2018?
Matt: We will be heading out on a two-month tour with Hedley & Shawn Hook. 32 shows across Canada starting in Abbottsford and ending in Kelowna.
Jenn: What is on your playlist these days?
Matt: I asked everyone what was on their playlist currently,
Frank: Sigur Rós, Jónsi & Alex
Adrian: Every Time I Die, Knocked Loose
Me: I’ve been listening to Gimlet Media’s Reply All podcast lately.
www.neondreams.ca
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialNeonDreams/
https://www.instagram.com/neondreams/
https://twitter.com/NeonDreams
