Formed by twin brothers James and Jake Taylor in early 2016, Dream Haze is an emo/indie band from El Centro, California. Dream Haze hones an enchanting and ambient blend of influences from across punk, indie and emo, delivering an emotive and instrumentally astute brand of rock.

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

James: I sing and play guitar. My brother Jake plays guitar and Diego drums. We currently have our friend Gilbert filling-in on bass for us.

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Dream Haze? How long has the band been around?

James: This band was formed around August of 2016 when we first met Diego.

Before joining Dream Haze, he played drums for a band called Bondage. Both Jake and I played in a punk band called Saving Honesty back in 2011.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

James: When we first started, we went by Headchange. Shortly after forming, we had to change the name for copyright reasons. I guess there’s a hat company/record label that goes by Head Change. I don’t know, I thought that was weird. One of us mentioned the name Dream Haze and we thought it sounded cool so it stuck.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

James: We all contribute to the songs in some way or another. I usually write all the lyrics and melodies. The topics definitely change over time. On our first release ‘Untitled’, the songs were mainly relationship based, which is a topic I don’t write about too much anymore. My lyrics typically come from how I’m feeling in that moment or what’s going on in my life. I’m usually feeling anxious so a lot of our recent songs have been about that. The rest of the guys and I will tweak certain lyrics or lines here and there up until the vocals are recorded. I feel like the whole songwriting process is an equal effort from all of us.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

James: Recently, I’ve been listening to Blind Mr. Jones, For Against, and Airiel. They all inspire me in their own way.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

James: I started playing music really young and I’ve always been in bands so I’m not entirely sure what did it for me. Maybe MxPx because that’s all I ever listened to when I was younger.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …

James: I usually drink 2 beers before our set, but I should probably start stretching or something beforehand.

I think Diego is the only one who does some sort of warm up before a show, since he’s definitely the most active during our set.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

James: Eating pizza with Beau Burchell at the same restaurant Brian Deegan was at.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

James: Muskets because they are sick.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

James: Cherish the ones close to you, and always treat everyone with love and respect -even when they don’t deserve it.