Dreambeach

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Ethereal with evocative/eclectic touches

Status:

Most recent release, two (2004); Pipa Piñon has a solo release, Blue Heart (2011)

See also:

Dreambeach site

Comparisons:

Kate Bush, Jane Siberry

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

I discovered a great singer called Pipa Piñon from Santa Cruz. Absolutely wonderful voice, a Happy Rhodes warm low voice all the way up to a Kate Bush pure high, mixed with Laurie Anderson's odd music and Jane Siberry's quirky lyrics!!! She is amazing...in two lines she runs from the purity of a Kate Bush soprano line to a deep warm Happy Rhodes low, with a quirky Jane Siberry lyric and a Rickie Lee Jones growl. We talked long and hard about the list, my band and hers, and she is a wonderful, delightful person also. Get her music if you can, a true delight. (cyo@landoftheblind.com)

there was something about daniel vee lewis's playing which was making me think of some other bassist (percy jones, perhaps? hansford rowe? i'm not sure...), but i could never quite figure out who. he has a beautiful, light touch and a lightly jazzy style. in any event, watching him play is pure joy. (woj@smoe.org)

Comments about live performance:

Pipa Piñon started off the evening. Pipa is from Santa Cruz, and was accompanied by the most incredible bass player I have ever seen. He managed to make a four-string electric bass sound like several guitars, and it was simply amazing. Pipa herself has a very beautiful voice, much like Happy Rhodes' high range. Their sound was very rich, and languid.
     Then Pipa Piñon, this time with her full band in tow, took the stage as the twilight started to deepen. I had been wondering if the additional instrumentation would detract from the impact of the solo bass accompaniment, but that turned out not to be the case at all. (5/01, meth@smoe.org)

Recommended first album:

Either

Recordings:

• making friends with gravity (2001)
• two (2004)
• Blue Heart (solo, as Pipa Piñon, 2011)

making friends with gravity

Release info:

2001

Availability:

See Dreambeach site

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Pipa Piñon—vocals, talking clarinet, bull roar, guitar
Daniel Vee Lewis—bass, piano, samples, fretless bass, drum programming, synth, vocals, percussion

Guest artists:

Jim Norris—drums on 3 tracks
Bob Burnett—electric guitar on 3 tracks
Bill Walker—ebow, electric guitar on 1 track
Yugi Tojo—guitar solo, keys, electric guitar on 3 tracks
George Demarest—trumpet on 3 tracks
Alejandro Cervantes—nylon guitar on 1 track
Elio Schiavo—mini moog, tambourine on 1 track
Gary Regina—nylon guitar on 1 track

Produced by:

Daniel Vee Lewis & Pipa Piñon

Comments:

It is so so so great, I could highly recommend anyone to get it. (cyo@landoftheblind.com)

This is a very warm and lovely debut. Pipa's vocals are stunning and the backing created by her and partner Daniel Vee Lewis is very nice. The music's a blend of ethereal and more earthy tones which makes it very accessible. I'm reminded of Jane Siberry and Kate Bush at her softest. The jazzy "Life's a Mystery" is an especially great track. "Flowers" is a mere shiver of a song, but it still connects. A marvelous record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

two

Release info:

2004

Availability:

See Dreambeach site

Ecto priority:

Highly recommended

Group members:

Pipa Piñon—vocals, guitar, clarinet
Daniel Vee Lewis—bass backing vocals, drum programming

Produced by:

Daniel Vee Lewis & Pipa Piñon

Comments:

The second offering from Dreambeach is no less magical than the first. Pip Pinon's singing is wonderful as is her lyrics. "In My Mind" is dreamy yet focused. The celebration of endurance in "We Survive" and the lovely tribute to the not-so-ordinary in "Average" are tales well told. Another gorgeous and indispensable record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.

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