Interview: D:Ream
7 min read
D:Ream were one of the most iconic acts in ’90s British dance-pop and the band that gave us one of the most enduring anthems of optimism, Things Can Only Get Better along with a catalogue that blended house, pop and soul.
Formed in the early 1990s, D:Ream quickly rose to fame, not just topping charts but leaving a cultural mark that would resurface years later in politics, television, and beyond. Eight 40 hits followed the mega-hit including U R the Best Thing, Shoot Me with Your Love and Take Me Away.
At the heart of it all was frontman Peter Cunnah, whose voice and songwriting helped define the group’s signature energy and emotional depth and along with fellow founding member Al Mackenzie, the now-duo (minus former member-turned physicist Brian Cox) are gearing up for the release of a brand new recording, titled Do It Anyway and we caught up with the pair ahead of the release this coming Friday (July 25th. Here is what they had to tell us…
Brendon Veevers: How are you doing today and where does our interview find you?
Peter Cunnah: Feeling groovy baby! Sitting outside my studio taking in the sunrise, contemplating a shave and going to the gym in 1/2 hr time.
Al Mackenzie: I’m stuck in the Midlands waiting for my car to be returned from a ‘simple’ repair. It’s been 10 days now. Not the best!
BV: You have a brand-new record coming out called Do It Anyway on July 25th. What can you tell us about the album?
PC: Of course… it’s our best work ever that’s what they all say isn’t it!
AM: It’s a typical D:Ream album, if there is such a thing. 12 songs from different musical genres about varying subjects. That may sound a bit disjointed, but it’s all come together beautifully.
BV: Do It Anyway is quite a rebellious title for the record. What’s the inspiration behind that?
PC: Just seem to have the right sentiment because when Alan came up with with the first verse he spoke about smoke-filled rooms and warehouse parties of the lines he always wanted to use and then it just seem to be obvious that we could reminisce on that .when it came to the chorus I just opened my mouth and that’s what came out it’s like my way or Je ne regrette rien.
AM: It’s the title of one of the tracks on the album. Is it rebellious? Not really. It’s based on our experiences in the late 80s/early 90s, the years which moulded us into the people we are today. They were heady days and we got stuck right in! It’s, basically, saying we wouldn’t have changed any of it. We are the people we are because of the decisions we made then.
BV: I’ve read that there is a connection between the albums title track and lead single which you have recently released, and Kylie Minogue. Can you tell us about that?
AM: Over to Peter….
PC: In the late 1990s I was pitching to lots of artists that one was originally called nightvision I know it got as far as her a&R guy Jamie they did consider it but it never made the cut and I never pitched it to anyone else until I played it to Allan but I didn’t let him hear the verse so he just heard the intro and we took it from there.
BV: Listening to the new single (Do It Anyway), you can definitely hear a nod to your early years – there’s a lot of nostalgia in the track. What do you think it is that fans most love about the 90’s and music that pays tribute to that era?
PC: yea its a nod aright. It’s got more of an 80s flavour than anything but with modern sounding production bass & kit. The thing about music from then is great hooks riffs melodys often delivered with punch soulful vocals. We keep coming back to that. I know that my young daughters love that time because of its musicality.
AM: Most of our fanbase will have been at an age then when they had little cares. Before getting married, had kids, got stuck in mundane jobs, etc. Happy times. Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia and reminiscing about those kind of days
BV: Things Can Only Get Better is often described as a cultural phenomenon. How does it feel to be responsible for a piece of work to carry a label like that?
AM: It’s all in a day’s work! Honestly, it is what it is. I just get on with the new things and try not to think about it.
PC: My back is broad enough to take the strain. its become a cultural Swiss army knife from the surreal to election to protest and more. but you just get on with your life!
BV: What is it about Things Can Only Get Better that you think has made it so significant and so timeless?
PC: Ultimately the sentiment is like a get well soon card so whenever anyone is struggling it seems to be a go to pick me up.
AM: It’s pretty catchy and easy to sing along to. That’s always a good sign.
BV: The moment you hear the song it sounds like it was destined to be a major hit. Did it feel like this to the band at the time, before it was released?
PC: Definitely had some kind of magic we knew from playing it out at the nightclub Allan was a resident that we had something really big.
AM: I, definitely thought it could. I’d always followed the charts and thought I knew the ingredients to a big hit. I really felt it had the right stuff to go all the way.
BV: During your career and since the release of that mammoth single, was it difficult for you to replicate the success attached to that song?
AM: In a word, yes!
PC: It is no surprise how many bands have a breakthrough head and for us it was a great calling card and still is people love playing that song and love singing it live it is a different experience every time for us.
BV: Things have changed significantly in the music industry since the early 90’s when D:Ream first found success. In your opinion, what are the best and the worst changes you have noticed in the music industry over the last 30 years?
PC: In one way it’s really good that fans can reach out to us directly but the amount of work it takes now to stay on top of social media is quite overwhelming
AM: The internet has had a major influence on how the music industry works these days. Everyone has access to everything at the click of a button and expects most of it for free. Everyone can put a tune together now and there is so much tosh out there. With the right backing, some of that tosh can go all the way. It can be quite frustrating. Some may see the availability as a positive, I’m not so sure,. I don’t see too many positives in the way things have changed, if I’m honest
BV: There aren’t too many acts out there that are still going after 30 years. What would you say it is about the pair of you that has held the connection after all these years to still be releasing music together?
PC: We really enjoy working in the studio together I think that’s the best bit about it the fact that New state & Chrysalis I’ve joined forces to help us promote this is just wonderful myself and Allan still feels weve got a few years left on the clock!
AM: We love what we do and think we are improving. If we were making substandard music, I would, definitely, give up. I, genuinely, think our last three albums are our best and getting better!
BV: You have a few festival shows around the UK over the next few months. Are there plans for a tour at all?
PC: Not at the minute
AM: We would love to do a tour but, realistically, you have to have a really good promoter looking after it. One who knows what they are doing. It’s very easy to lose a lot of money doing a tour these days as people just don’t have the disposable income. Hopefully, we will get something over the line though.
BV: Thanks guys and best of luck with the new album release.
D:Ream’s brand new album Do It Anyway is out on Friday.
The band will also play the following upcoming shows:
AUGUST
8th – Cheshire, Deva Fest
17th – Hardwick Festival
23rd – Framlingham, The Summer Festival
SEPTEMBER
26th – Eastleigh, The Concorde
OCTOBER
4th – Silsden, Town Hall
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
