The name When Machines Dream stems from my lifelong fascination with science fiction in general and robots in particular. It is based on the popular science fiction theme of a machine becoming self-aware. As my music and musical process involves a synthesis of man and machine, I found the name to be quite fitting.

Playing live is a large part of the When Machines Dream endeavor. I mainly perform with my musical partner Kyle Ward as When Machines Dream + KaW. Together and separately we have performed all over the US and as far away as Norway. For more information on how we do this, please see the post "How When Machines Dream + Kaw Perform Live" in the blog section of my member profile.

The internet has certainly changed the way that we distribute, purchase, share and are exposed to music. As far as the independent artist is concerned, the internet has opened up a virtually unlimited avenue to connect with a potentially worldwide audience. On the other hand, with the vastness of the internet and the staggering amount of available content, it is easy to get "lost" and I believe that we (as independent artists) are still learning to exploit the internet to effectively reach that audience. As far as the issue of file sharing goes, I have been guilty of file sharing since about 1979, when my friends and I would pass around cassette tapes of punk and metal bands that we would otherwise have no knowledge of. As a matter of fact, I would go so far to say that entire genres of pop music (punk and rap to name a few) would not exist today if not for file sharing via the medium of the compact cassette. However, while there may be some benefit to file sharing for both the artist and the fans, music and art SHOULD be valued. Knowing first hand how expensive and time-consuming it is to produce music, I purchase the music I listen to.

Not being in a position to make that decision, it's hard to say. I CAN say that I am content with the direction I am heading and that I continually strive to find better and more effective means of connecting with people through my music.

When Machines Dream started several years ago as a side project and has, in the last couple of years, become my main musical focus. When Machines Dream songs are featured in the video game Pump It Up Pro as well as several DVD's. A new When Machines Dream CD is slated for release on SCI Records later this year in addition to my regular live performance schedule.

When Machines Dream has been influenced by a wide variety of electronic & pop music. From early Kraftwerk & Devo through the 80's New Wave and Synth Pop era, into the 90's House and Trance scenes, Swedish Dance, Electro Clash and beyond.

I have been fortunate to have been able to travel quite a bit and have many favorite spots around the globe.

The When Machines Dream sound(s) has been forged with quite a variety of equipment throughout the years (More details in my blog on my profile).
The current studio equiped as follows:


Digital Audio Workstation

Quadcore Intel q6600 Processor 3.0GHz (custom built)
2 GB of DDR800 Ram
320gig System drive
10K 150gig Audio drive
EMU 1220m -
24-bit, A/D 192kHz converters

Studio Hardware

Moog Little Phatty
Korg Micro X
Korg microKORG
Alesis Micron
Korg EMX-1
Moog Mogerfoger Delay
Electrix Mo-FX
Joe Meek British Channel (2)
Mackie 1202 VLZ mixer
Sampson Rubicon 5a Monitors
Sampson Rubicon 10s Subwoofer
AKG Perception 100 Microphone
AKG Perception 400 Microphone

Studio Software
Ableton Live 6
IK Multimedia T-Racks
Steinberg Wavelab
Antares Autotune
IK Multimedia Classik Reverb
reFX Vangard
Native Instruments FM7
Gforce Oddity
Gforce Minimonsta
Gforce impOSCar
Artura Jupiter 8v
Native Instruments Pro-53
Novation V-Station
Novation Bass Station
Waldorf Attack
Waldorf PPG Wave
Sonic Projects OP-X
Steinberg X-Phrase
IK Multimedia Sampletank 2
IK Multimedia Amplitube
Softplug Adventus
TAL Juno-60
Arc Dev Echo Tune
RSO Vocal Magic
and some misc. VST's that I can't remember

Last but not least

All powered with Monster Power
All wired with Monster Cable
Studio equiped with just about everything Auralex sells

OTHER CURRENT PROJECTS

Oscillator X
An Electro & Eurodance collaboration between my musical partner Kyle Ward & myself. Oscillator X songs have been featured in the video games Pump It Up Pro and In The Groove 3.

Coconut
A Eurodance act featuring the lovely and talented Olohana on vocals. Produced by the Oscillator X team of John Mendenhall & Kyle Ward.