Awake & Dreaming - Premier Indie/Alternative Band for Hire in Waterloo, Ontario - Music for Festivals, Weddings, Events, and More

Hello Dreamers!

November was an unforgettable month for Awake & Dreaming, and we’re thrilled to share all the highlights and some exciting news for December!

We started November with an amazing show at VENUExVENUE at The Rosewood Room in London, ON, on Friday, November 15, 2024. The intimate setting allowed us to connect with our fans on a deeper level, and the history in the room was absolutely magical. Thank you to everyone who came out to share this special evening with us!

On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, we took the stage at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener, ON, as part of Frontier Music Presents. Performing in such a historic and atmospheric venue was a dream come true. The audience’s enthusiasm made the night truly memorable, and we were honored to share our music with you all!

Now, as we enter December, we’re beyond excited to announce the release of our new single, "I U Me", coming your way December, 2024! This song is incredibly special to us, and we can’t wait for you to hear it. It explores themes of self-discovery, connection, and introspection, and we hope it resonates deeply with all of you.

As we look back on the incredible journey we’ve had this year, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every fan, new and returning, who has supported us along the way. Your energy and love inspire us to keep creating and sharing our music.

Stay tuned for more updates about what’s in store for Awake & Dreaming in 2025. We have so much planned, and we’re so excited to share it with all of you!

Stay dreamy,

Awake & Dreaming

Hello Dreamers!

August was nothing short of incredible, and we owe it all to you! Each show brought us amazing turnouts, new fans, and unforgettable moments that we will cherish for a long time. We are beyond grateful for the support and energy you brought to every performance. It was truly a dream to share these experiences with all of you!

We kicked off our August performances at Block 3 Brewery in St. Jacobs on August 10th. The evening was filled with great vibes, music, and laughter. The very next day, on August 11th, we returned to Quai du Vin Estate Winery in St. Thomas, and once again, the turnout was phenomenal. There's something magical about playing there, and we loved sharing that beautiful Sunday afternoon with so many of you.

On August 17th, we had the honor of performing on the main stage the Railway City Music and Arts Festival in Pinafore Park, St. Thomas. This one was particularly special to us, not only because of the amazing audience, but also because of the incredible volunteers who made it all possible. We couldn't have asked for a better community-driven event, and it was a privilege to be part of it. Thank you to everyone who made this festival so memorable!

We then hit Toronto for two back-to-back shows at the iconic Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) on August 21st and 22nd. The CNE crowd was truly electric, and we were so happy to meet new fans who connected with our music. The team and volunteers at the CNE were fantastic as well, and we can’t thank you all enough for making those performances such a success. We also managed to take some photos!...

We closed out the month on a high note at Maxwell's Indie Music Night in Waterloo on August 24th, where we played alongside The Boys & I and Always On Friday. The turnout from our hometown crowd was unbelievable! It was so special to share the stage with other great indie acts and see so many familiar faces. Thank you, Waterloo!

Looking forward, we’re excited to announce our next show at Quai du Vin Estate Winery on Sunday, September 22, 2024. It'll be our last show of the year, and we can't wait to return for another afternoon of music, wine, and great company. If you missed the last one, be sure to join us for this perfect way to wind down the summer!

Once again, thank you to every fan, new and returning, who came out to see us in August. And a huge shoutout to all the volunteers and teams who made these events possible. We couldn’t do this without you!

Stay dreamy,

Awake & Dreaming

Hello Dreamers!

The good summer vibes are rolling, and so are we with a jam-packed August. Our journey continues with a string of exciting events we can't wait to see you at!

But before then, we released our first ever music video for Old Ghosts! It's been amazing to share it with the world and thrive on all the positive feedback. We're so excited now to embark on an August jampacked with shows and festivals sharing our music with the crowd

Our journey kicks off at the Block 3 Brewery in St. Jacobs, where we'll set the evening alight with our latest tunes on August 10th. Right after we're delighted to be back at the beautiful Quai du Vin Estate Winery on August 11th, perfect for a Sunday afternoon of music and wine.

Mid-August takes us to the Railway City Music and Arts Festival in St. Thomas, where we'll rock Pinafore Park on the 17th. Then, we're off to the iconic Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, with back-to-back shows on the 21st and 22nd. And finally, we cap off the month with a night of indie music at Maxwell's in Waterloo on the 24th where we'll be joined with The Boys & I and Always On Friday. Definitely come out to this one if you can.

Each venue holds its unique charm and we can't wait to bring our music to such fantastic crowds.

Stay tuned and see you soon!

Awake & Dreaming

Dreamers!

It's been so exciting to see you again. Summer keeps moving on and we had an amazing June! First we got the chance to play our original stuff in front of a packed tent at the Guelph District Multicultural Festival and the place rocked! We got to meet with super sweet fans and some other very talented musicians. After that, we were back at the lovely Quai du Vin winery where we got the chance to try out a bunch of our new material for the year! The response was incredible.

Now stay tuned. In July we'll be playing again at the Quai du Vin winery on Sunday July 21st. Then just around the corner comes August where we will have so much to share!

Till then... we have our first song release just around the corner. Here's a sneak peak of what the music video will look like!

So excited to share it with you

Awake & Dreaming

Hello, Dreamers!

We are thrilled to kick off the summer with a series of special performances this June. Each concert promises a unique experience, blending our ethereal soundscapes with the charm of beautiful venues and vibrant festivals. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable musical journey!

June 2, 2024 - Summer Now in Session at Quai du Vin Estate Winery, St. Thomas, ON Time: 1:00 PM Location: Quai du Vin Estate Winery

Celebrate the start of summer with us at the stunning Quai du Vin Estate Winery. Picture this: lush vineyards, a sunny afternoon, and the soothing melodies of Awake & Dreaming filling the air. Bring your family and friends for a day of relaxation, music, and wine. This event is perfect for a laid-back summer outing, and we can’t wait to share our new songs and fan favorites with you in this idyllic setting.

June 7, 2024 - Guelph Multicultural Festival, Riverside Park, Guelph, ON Time: 7:30 PM Location: Riverside Park

Join us at the vibrant Guelph Multicultural Festival for an evening of music, culture, and celebration. This festival is a melting pot of diverse cultural performances, and we are honored to be part of it. Our set will feature a mix of our original songs and some eclectic covers, promising an evening of rich musical experiences. Come and be part of this incredible event that celebrates unity and diversity through the universal language of music.

June 21, 2024 - Summer Now in Session at Quai du Vin Estate Winery, St. Thomas, ON Time: 1:00 PM Location: Quai du Vin Estate Winery

Back by popular demand, we’re returning to Quai du Vin for another Summer Session. If you missed us earlier in the month, this is your chance to catch us again. Expect an intimate and enchanting performance as we share our latest creations and beloved hits. The beautiful winery setting, combined with our music, creates a magical atmosphere that you won’t want to miss.

We are incredibly excited to share these June concerts with you. Each event offers something special, and we hope you can join us for all of them. Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to create unforgettable memories together.

Stay tuned for more updates, and make sure to follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes looks and exclusive content.

Until then, keep dreaming with us!

Awake & Dreaming

First and foremost, we want to introduce our new drummer and friend, Ryan Dugal! Ryan has over 15 years of experience as a drummer and singer-songwriter, and has fit seamlessly into our vibe. With a background in jazz, he has brought some very cool insights to our sound and a new energy that we’re very excited about. Initially, Awake & Dreaming had come to his studio for some voice lessons from his partner, Claryssa Webb (also a talented strings player and singer in her own right), and to work in his home studio. We are so fortunate to have found them both, and can’t wait to see what we can create together.

The Performance: Unveiling the New

Last night, under the candlelight and light show, Awake & Dreaming took to the stage at Frontier Music, managed by Ryan. The intimate setting was the perfect place for us to share our most personal creations yet.

The evening was special for many reasons, but perhaps most significantly, it was our first concert as the primary act and it marked the first time our setlist was dominated by original music. We debuted several new songs, giving our fans a taste of what’s to come in our upcoming record. The response was electrifying, and the energy of our audience fueled us to deliver one of our most passionate performances yet. We had a lot of fun, too!

In the candlelit ambiance, each song unfolded like a story, with its own colors and emotions. The new tracks, with the release date still under wraps, were received with warmth and enthusiasm that exceeded all our expectations.

The Livestream: Sharing Our Music with the World

Recognizing the importance of connecting with our global fanbase, we also livestreamed the event on YouTube to reach those who couldn't join us in person and to create a lasting memory that fans can return to. The recording is available on the Frontier Music YouTube channel, inviting everyone to experience or re-experience the magic of the night.

Celebrations Beyond Music

The show also coincided with a very special occasion - Sasha’s birthday! The concert naturally transitioned into a celebration, not just of the music we’ve created but of life, friendship, and the bonds we’ve formed with each other and our friends. It was a night of reflection, joy, and looking forward to the future.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the night at Frontier Music will stand out as a milestone in our journey. It was a declaration of our commitment to original music and a prelude to the new chapter we embark on with our upcoming record.

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who joined us, in person or through the livestream, for supporting us, believing in our music, and being a part of this unforgettable evening. This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share more of our music with you.

Stay tuned for updates on our record release and more performances. If you haven’t yet, make sure to watch the recording of the show and subscribe to the Awake & Dreaming YouTube channel for more music, behind-the-scenes looks, and updates from us.

Until next time, keep dreaming with us.

Awake & Dreaming

As the leaves turn, we wrapped up our incredible summer season of our first 7 ever shows. From playing Great Balls of Fire with dancers in a ballroom to multiple shows in a beautiful outdoor venue, we have already come further this year than I think either of us had anticipated. Our last show at Quai du Vin Winery marked the perfect ending. For the first time the wind was blowing adding to the excitement allowing us to let loose and be more improvisational. Autumn was in the air as some folks even cozied up under blankets in the tent with some fine wine while we sang about vampires and werewolves. The kids even sang along to some of our cover songs, and a bunch of our friends and family joined in too.

It has been an amazing summer sharing our music with all of you, and it has been so encouraging to see your responses- in particular to our original music. We are so thankful to have had this chance to make new fans, catch up with old friends, and showcase our new sounds as a duo.

Going into the Fall, we'll be hard at work using the feedback we received to help inspire new music. We also are hoping to grow the Awake & Dreaming band so stay tuned for that!

It’s been an amazing ride, and it’s just getting started. We’re hoping to play more shows, venues, and even festivals in the coming year. Thanks for being on this journey with us. Let’s keep the music playing and the good times rolling!

Until the next note, keep dreaming.

Awake & Dreaming

We had one of those weeks that reminds you why a life surrounded by music is worth pursuing. We're so grateful for each opportunity to share our music and vibes, and this weekend was no exception. We got to both play and listen, meeting old friends and making new ones.

A Night to Remember at Quai du Vin

First up, let's talk about our gig at Quai du Vin. Man, what a day! The energy was infectious, and you could feel the excitement in the air as we kicked things off. We debuted some new original songs, and we couldn't have asked for a better crowd to share them with. Your positive reactions made all the rehearsals and late nights worth it. And can we talk about the dancing? When we launched into our cover of "What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes, couples from the crowd got up and started dancing. It captured the spirit of the day perfectly. It's moments like these are extra special to us.

Thunder in the Valley Festival

Inspired by the energy of our local community, we knew we had to go out and catch some live music ourselves. So, the next stop was the Thunder in the Valley festival in Sparta, Ontario. If you've never been, let us tell you, it's the epitome of music for the area. While on stage with the night above, one of the artists on stage described it as an unforgettable place immune to the world spinning around it. We could feel it too.

Over 800 people came out to revel in a day and evening filled with incredible live music. The roster was a mix of various genres, each band bringing their own unique sound and energy to the stage. Among those who performed were John Milles & Smokin' Dave, Randy Dawdy & Wrif Wraf, Jersey Seasons (a Four Seasons tribute), Beach Party Boys (a Beach Boys tribute), and Chico Sanchez with Hog Wild. Shout out to Gavan Rousseau vocalist for both the Jersey Seasons and Beach Party Boys for taking the time to speak with us after!

The Power of Community

There's something magical about seeing a community come together to celebrate something they love. For us, Thunder in the Valley was the perfect example of that. We met up with family members and fellow musicians, making new friends along the way. Did we mention the dance floor was packed!? We managed to squeeze onto the dance floor ourselves.

What's Next?

This weekend has left us inspired and focused to keep bringing the energy looking for additional venues to play over the autumn and winter. We hope to record soon and are excited to bring you more original music in our upcoming shows.

Until then, keep the music playing!

Last weekend, we had a blast attending the Kitchener Blues Fest, and seeing 'I Mother Earth' play live was a treat. The energy they brought on stage was contagious, and you could feel the excitement ripple through the crowd.

There's always something special about outdoor concerts – the freedom, the atmosphere, the community vibe. And with downtown Kitchener as the backdrop on a perfect summer evening, the setting couldn't have been better.

One of the best parts of the night was meeting up with our musician buddy, Duncan. Meeting up with him is always enlightening. We chatted about everything from the nitty-gritty of mic-ing a drum kit to broader discussions about the local music scene. Duncan’s experience is vast, and he shared a ton of insights. The topic of how to book a festival was particularly intriguing. It's one thing to attend a festival, but playing at one? Now that's a whole different ball game.

Our chats with Duncan got us thinking: Why not set a new goal for Awake & Dreaming? By this time next year, we want to be up there, performing at a festival. With the taste of live music still fresh and the vibrant energy of the Kitchener Blues Fest as our inspiration, we're more motivated than ever.

We've been writing a bunch of new music and have plans to get into the studio to record over the next few months. Currently, we play six original songs in our set and aim to have a full hour of original music as soon as we can. We can't wait to share it with all of you!

The festival was a fantastic reminder of the beauty of live music, especially after such a long hiatus for many of us. It’s reignited our passion and given us a clear target to aim for. So here's to next summer, and hopefully, our very own festival gig!

Hello, everyone! We, Awake & Dreaming, your beloved indie/alternative duo from Waterloo, Ontario, are back with another update.

We're thrilled to announce that we will be performing again at the beautiful Quai Du Vin Winery Estate on August 20th. With the lush vineyards serving as our backdrop under a (hopefully) sunny sky, we couldn't have asked for a more magical setting to share our music with you all.

What makes this event even more special is the outpouring of love and support we've been receiving. Family and friends from near and far will be joining us, turning this show into a grand reunion under the spell of music. It's more than just a gig; it's a celebration of our musical journey and the incredible community that's stood by us every step of the way.

Now, let's talk about the music. For this show, we've been working hard on preparing a unique setlist that includes several new songs. From the soulful melodies of John Mayer to the enchanting rhythms of Aurora, we'll be pushing musical boundaries, exploring various genres, and delivering a performance like never before. We're also excited to share our renditions of some classics by Radiohead, TV on the Radio, and Massive Attack. Each song has been carefully selected and rehearsed to ensure we bring a fresh and exciting performance to the stage. Whether you're a long-time fan of Awake & Dreaming or just discovering our music, this event is a perfect opportunity to witness our artistry and join our musical family. It's going to be a day of soul-stirring music, heartfelt performances, and memorable connections. We can't wait to share this special event with you all.

So, mark your calendars, bring your family and friends, and join us for an unforgettable summer day at the Quai Du Vin Winery Estate on August 20th.

Stay awake, keep dreaming, and let's create some magical musical memories together!

A&D

Hello and welcome to the world of Awake & Dreaming, an enchanting indie/alternative duo from Waterloo, Ontario. We're excited to kick off our blog and take you behind the scenes of our ethereal musical journey.

Consisting of the captivating Sasha Kristoff on vocals and piano, and the multi-instrumentalist Stefan Schneider handling guitar, bass, and drums, Awake & Dreaming emerged from a serendipitous encounter on a dating app three years ago. Since then, our love for music (and each other) has grown, leading to an amalgamation of intimate vocals, dreamy soundscapes, and honest lyricism.

Our music, influenced by renowned bands such as Radiohead, Muse, and Nine Inch Nails, is an introspective journey into the depths of emotions and what it means to be human. Each note, each rhythm, each word is meticulously crafted, aiming to resonate with listeners and evoke a sense of empathy and connection.

Alongside creating original songs, we love pushing the boundaries of conventional music. This involves experimenting with unique arrangements of our favourite songs, spanning various genres. Furthermore, we cherish the opportunity to infuse some of our performances with our passion for ballroom dancing, making our shows a unique blend of auditory and visual artistry.

In this blog, we aim to share our inspirations, the songwriting process, stories from our shows, and exciting updates. Whether you're an avid indie/alternative music listener, an emerging artist, or someone exploring this genre for the first time, our blog will serve as a gateway into our world.

As we embark on this new adventure, we invite you to join us and be part of the Awake & Dreaming community. Connect with us on social media, join us at our upcoming shows, and stay tuned for more posts and new music.

Remember, music isn't just about listening—it's about feeling, relating, and connecting. Through Awake & Dreaming, we hope to establish this connection with you, one song at a time.

Thank you for your support and for being part of our musical journey. Until our next post, stay awake, keep dreaming.

A&D