King Dream’s Ambitious Musical Journey to 'Glory Daze'

Starting as a street musician in Oakland, Jeremy Lyon, the driving force behind King Dream, quickly learned that making a living from music was no simple feat. Forgoing traditional education, Lyon and his songwriting companion Zak Mandel-Romann took to busking, eventually transitioning to a full-fledged band. The Tumbleweed Wanderers, as they came to be known, embraced the folk-rock genre, incorporating elements of country and ’60s soul, and started building a reputation by playing for crowds outside local concert halls.

Despite touring, releasing albums, and performing at festivals, the financial stability they longed for remained elusive, leading to a halt in the group's steady touring when members had to seek additional employment. This change marked the end of The Tumbleweed Wanderers in five short years, despite their collective efforts to live off their music.

Even so, the passion for music didn’t wane as the former members kept active in different musical projects. When Lyon recorded a solo album under the King Dream moniker, he reunited with his former bandmates to continue creating music together. The reincarnated ensemble infused their sound with psychedelic rock and embraced more improvisational methods, leading to another album and international touring before the pandemic brought their momentum to a standstill.

Lyon utilized the unexpected downtime to enhance his musical skill set. Learning to record, produce, and mix music, he found a silver lining in the quarantine. Inspired by his experience and help from his peers like Scott McDowell and Jonathan Kirchner, Lyon and his bandmates, each in their own home studios, crafted a new song remotely — a process that left Lyon in awe at the collaborative effort.

The culmination of these efforts is Glory Daze, a vast 24-song collection to be progressively released as three unique yet interconnected albums: Glory Daze IV, Glory Daze V, and Glory Daze VI. With themes touching on personal, social, and global issues of anxiety, love, unity, and healing, each album showcases the band's range and depth. From the alternative rock roots of Glory Daze IV to the eclectic mix of alternative R&B, psychedelic rock, and gospel featured in Glory Daze V, and finally to the brighter acoustic tones of Glory Daze VI, the trio of albums promises to take listeners on a melodious epic journey.

Lyrically, King Dream's music reflects on contemporary concerns with a personal touch. 'The Wild Card', a track off their latest project, explores individual anxieties set against societal backdrops like gentrification and environmental crises. Whereas ‘Many Moons Ago’ and ‘Golden Shore’ offer narratives of love's transformative power, with musical influences ranging from George Harrison to a blend of gospel and R&B.

Lyon's personal journey through music underscores the communal and familial aspects of the band, an ensemble that has become like a family throughout their decade-long collaboration. The humbling and enriching experience highlights music's vital role in binding communities and marking life's milestones.

Anticipation mounts for the release of Glory Daze V with a record-release performance scheduled for January 12 at The Cornerstone in Berkeley, where the band will showcase their latest work, inviting fans old and new to join in the celebration of their musical voyage.

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