Machines Dream

Machines Dream is a Canadian atmospheric progressive rock band from Sault Ste. Marie Ontario. The group was founded in 2010 by Craig West, Brian Holmes and Ken Coulter. The band was formed after a series of "just for fun" rehearsal sessions succeeded in creating a large catalogue of original music. Machines Dream blends 70s Progressive Rock elements with modern atmospheric themes dashed with heavy symphonic crescendos. The band's membership consists of Craig West (Guitar/Vocals/Bass), Brian Holmes (Keyboards/Bass), Ken Coulter (Drums), Rob Coleman (Lead Guitar) and Jake Rendell (Bass/Backing Vocals). Currently the band is in the midst of releasing their second album, entitled Immunity.

Biography

In 2006, after their respective bands were on permanent hiatus, Craig West and Brian Holmes ended up working together helping out fellow Sonic Vista Music British Progressive Rock band IT with some Canadian tour dates as well as playing on the Departure album and live DVD. Both Brian and Craig enjoyed the experience and decided they wanted to keep working together. Ken Coulter had been playing drums every day simply for the love of play, he was not part of any touring body. In 2008, Craig West had booked a venue at a local club with a group that had ultimately broken up prior to the gig. In order to keep the commitment, Brian and guitarist Shayne Wigglesworth of Craig's previous musical project were added to the bill. Craig had previously met Ken through a mutual acquaintance and knew he played drums. Craig had never really heard Ken play, but the quick audition was enough to showcase his talents. The ad-hoc group played an assortment of 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s cover music, including a few originals from Brian and Craig's IT days. Having enjoyed the experience, and with positive feedback from the audience, the quartet concluded that they should keep playing together, however focus on original composition rather than rock covers. No plans of releasing any material, the group was simply a group of friends getting together a few times a week and making some noise for fun. Marco Pierucci was added to the roster to pick up the bass guitar, which freed Craig to play guitar and concentrate on singing. Having unburdened themselves of any expectations, incoherent jams became recognizable music, and, eventually, original songs with a distinct style and mood. Then came a series of changes. In 2009, Marco exited due to other responsibilities, and Craig switched back to bass guitar. Craig had a home studio, so the band started recording their original music. Shayne exited shortly after, leaving the band to find a replacement lead guitarist halfway through the recording process. Keith Conway was a virtuoso whose own group were recording a live album with Craig engineering. Keith accepted the offer to replace Shayne as lead guitar player for Machines Dream.

Machines Dream (self titled debut album) 2012
The band's self titled first album was released in March 2012. The album 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 album sold out locally, and copies were sent to any and all places Progressive Rock lovers congregated ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The album has posted #1 download on the Aurovine Charts for well over 2 years. This garnered some interest from Aurovine creator Ken Foster, who offered Machines Dream a record deal with Sonic Vista. The album since has been played on a myriad of progressive rock internet radio stations such as The Prog Mill, has been reviewed on popular Progressive Rock sites like Progarchives, and is met with admiration by fans both in Canada and the UK. In 2013, Keith Conway exited, leaving Craig, Brian and Ken to rethink creative direction, and return to the recording studio after a series of live gigs. Craig played guitar, bass and lead vocals, Brian played Keyboards, bass and Ken continued as the heartbeat drummer of the band. This dynamic means of writing produced a creative atmosphere that once again produced a large catalogue of further original music, distinct from Machines Dream debut album, yet still Machines Dream at its core. As the recording progressed, the group decided to add two new members to help finish the second album. Rob Coleman worked with Ken Coulter in the same government building. Rob began jamming with Ken and Brian, who later suggested Rob might be a good fit for Machines Dream. Jake Rendell was recording the backing vocals for the second Machines Dream album when Craig offered full time membership. Jake is a skilled multi-instrumentalist and provided the extra set of hands for bass guitar, mandolin, and any other instrument Machines Dream wished to include in their live setting.

Immunity (Machines Dream second album) 2014
The band's second album consists of the current line up. Immunity is a collection of music detailing the state of the human race. How we've immunized ourselves against each other by agenda driven media overload, bottom line thinking, as well as lowest common denominator television. The album includes a 24 minute title track. Immunity has been well received by the Prog Rock communities in which the members of Machines Dream frequent, and was featured in a 2 hour internet radio special on The Prog Mill ^[4][5].

Social Media Recognition
Machines Dream owes a great deal of their internet radio success to a diligent social media campaign, especially on their twitter account, all of which was spearheaded by their manager. Eugene Rogers, Progressive Gears Management - Machines Dream manager, was originally a fan of a the band, having heard the music featured on The Prog Mill. Eugene became a close contact of the band, promoting them on his own time to popular UK Prog Websites, radio stations as well as keeping up with the Twitter chatter. Eventually, the social media buzz was becoming overwhelming for the band members to maintain themselves, so Craig reached out to Eugene with a business proposal to handle promotion and management of Machines Dream. This partnership quickly turned results as Eugene proved himself to be an indispensable asset. Since then the Machines Dream twitter account has seen endless follows, the albums have been successfully adopted by a number of Canadian, American and UK internet radio stations and the release of Immunity has been the most successful business venture Machines Dream has had to date.

Machines Dream continues to write, record and play live when the opportunity arises^[6]. The band has recently returned from an invitation to the respected event Indie Week ^[7].

Discography

Machines Dream (2012)

1. Boundaries
2. Toronto Skyline
3. London By Night
4. Unarmed at Sea
5. Mad For All Seasons
6. Stop Waiting for Miracles
7. Locusts
8. Colder Rain
9. Everyone Says Goodbye
10. The Session

• Craig West - Guitars, Bass, Lead Vocals, Synth Pads, Backing Vocals
  
• Brian Holmes - Piano and Synths, Bass
  
• Ken Coulter - Drums
  
• Keith Conway - Lead Guitar
  
• Lyrics by Craig West and Chris Belsito (Unarmed at Sea, Colder Rain, The Session)
  
• Backing Vocals - Jake Rendell (Everyone Says Goodbye, Toronto Skyline, Stop Waiting for Miracles, Locusts, London by Night)
  

Additional Writing Credits:

• Marco Pierucci (Unarmed at Sea, Mad for All Seasons, Colder Rain)
  
• Shayne Wigglesworth (Unarmed at Sea, Mad for All Seasons, Colder Rain, The Session)
  
• Ed Young (The Session)

Immunity (2014)

1. Immunity Part 1
2. Battersea Transcendental
3. Broken Door (Also released as a single)
4. My Ocean is Electric
5. Immunity Part 2

• Craig West - Guitars, Bass, Lead Vocals
  
• Brian Holmes - Piano and Synths, Bass
  
• Ken Coulter - Drums
  
• Rob Coleman - Lead Guitar
  
• Jake Rendell - Backing Vocals
  
• Lyrics by Craig West and Chris Belsito
  

Additional Writing Credits:

• Josh Norling - Saxophone (Immunity Part 1,2)

100 Afternoons Bonus EP (2014)
100 Afternoons is a Bonus EP digital download for members who purchased the digital deluxe package during the crowd funding campaign for Immunity

1. A Poor Turn for the Soul
2. A Stone's Throw
3. Jupiter
4. Keep Your Head Down
5. Trading Stars for Solitude

• Craig West - Guitars, Bass, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals (Trading Stars for Solitude)
  
• Brian Holmes - Piano and Synths
  
• Ken Coulter - Drums
  
• Rob Coleman - Lead Guitar
  
• Jake Rendell - Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals (Trading Stars for Solitude)
  
• Lyrics by Craig West

References