Hello all. In the past 6 months, I've had the pleasure of e-conversing with Gilbert Gabriel. Every time I see a new e-mail from him in my in-box I have to restrain myself from shouting for joy and reverting back to my giddy teenage psyche. However, I must admit I don't do a very good job at this. After all, Gilbert, along with the two other members of the Dream Academy, have been my musical heroes for almost 15 years now. I've always dreamed of interviewing one of them and with Gilbert's new on-line presence (check out www.burningcandle.com - legend has it that all who sign his guestbook receive personal thanks from the man himself) this dream has come to fruition. So after many years of wondering who that man behind the keyboards was, I now have a more clearer picture and my admiration and respect for him continues to grow. -Chris

An Indian Summer 1999

First of all, every fan who accesses this website wants to know, will the Dream Academy ever reunite?

See below... (Aaaah the suspense!)

Now that we got that out of the way, tell me a little bit about yourself: When did you become interested in music? Did your family have a influence on your musical beginnings?

I first became interested in music through school with the recorder, then the Beatles (big time).

What instrument did you first learn to play and what instruments do you play now?

I play piano , synths, clarinet, flute, guitar and some bass.

What was the first record you ever bought?

The first single was The ballad of John and Yoko (I wanted "Get Back" but the shop had sold out!)

Are you currently married or have a "significant other"? Children?

No children...too many distractions ... but they are beautiful!!

Do you have a favorite food? delicacy? drink?

My favourite food is Malaysian.

What countries have you lived in and are there any favorites? Do you speak any other languages?

I lived in Cyprus around the time of JFK assasination for three years...sun,sea...dreams! I'm also learning Spanish...I love Valencia (in the south of Spain).

What do you do for enjoyment apart from music?

I like to study Spanish, MA in Film, read philosophy, play Chess, Tai Chi...I'm an eternal student!

When did you first meet Nick? Kate?

I met Nick through the Melody Maker....Nick eventually introduced Kate to me.

Weren't you the one who came up with the name "The Dream Academy?" What was the thinking behind the name?

Herman Hesse's book "The Glass Bead Game"...it filled my mind with more idealism which had been stirred by a progressive thinking college I attended in Devon (UK)....community, art sharing ideas, life experiences, multi-media (back in the 70's!).

What is your most fondest memory of being in the Dream Academy?

There are many fond memories... on Kate's birthday when the single was no 7 in the States we woke up in Denver, had lunch in Portland, dinner in San Francisco and woke up the next day in LA...phew! What fun. I also stayed in a Japanese hotel room that John and Yoko had been in for three weeks ... with a beautiful view of San Francisco. Travelling around the world on the wings of song was fantastic.

How did the Dream Academy affect your life?

Its effect on my life was to give me a global view on the way the media in different countries convey politics and culture... and realise the common ground we all have as humans trying to survive and express our spirits. We had more money and more questions!!!

What was it like being an instant world-wide pop star and would you ever want to repeat those experiences?

It was a quick ascent.....it was nice to put our feet on the ground again.

What is your least fondest memory of being in the Dream Academy?

It was all a beneficial experience in hindsight!

Do you have a favorite DA track? album? b-side? video?

"Northern Town", "Heaven" and "In Places on the Run".

Many fans are dying to know, is there a "Heaven part II?" What was the inspiration behind this great b-side?

It grew from a track called "These walls" which was a demo we wrote in the early days at Dave Gilmour's studio...it became commissioned for a film by Diane Keaton which used parts of "A Matter Of Life and Death" by Michael Powell ...one of my favourite films. Heaven part II is awaiting its birth!

Is there any DA song you would do differently if given the chance to do them again?

It's too late! ha ha ha!

Did you ever feel restrained with two other members in the DA? Did you ever feel like you did not have enough lyrical or musical input as you would have liked? In past interviews, Nick has said that he was briefly involved with Kate during the DA years. Was it hard to work around Nick and Kate while they were a "couple?" Did this play a factor in the decision to not play together after the third album?

It was a creative experience.

Do you still maintain contact with either Kate or Nick?

Yes...Kate played on a track for me recently and Nick and I talked about the future today..........Nick and I are hooking up to re -dream the Dream in October.

What do you think of their recent solo projects? (Channel Light Vessel, Roger Eno, and 2 solo Cds for Kate and Trashmonk with Nick)

I think its brilliant that all of us keep writing and playing...it means we can feedback those experiences in our future collaborations.....

What do you think of the recent DA musical "revival?" Your music seems to be everywhere these days- in numerous commercials, the first two albums have been rereleased in Europe, and two heavily sampled songs (Dario G's "Sunchyme" and Jakaranda's "Never let you go") have been hits.

The revival is great!

As co-writer of "LiaNT" did you have to give permission for people (i.e. DarioG) to use the song? Was this something you immediately agreed to do?

Yes!!!

Why has a Dream Academy Greatest Hits never been released? Would you be in favor of releasing one?

Yes of course! You'll have to ask the record company why not?

How did the Colour of Love come about? Who are it's current members and how did you meet up with them?

It arrived as I needed an outlet for more songs and dreams....its mutated into the name "Futura"

You've often been regarded as a early Chris Lowe because you used to just stand behind the keyboards and look cool. Do synthesizers still play a big part in "The Colour of Love?" If not, could you describe the group's style and influences a bit more?

Every instrument that sounds fab is the vibe for Futura...let it flow.....

Will the Colour of Love release anything in the future or do you have any other future projects in the works? If so, how can fans from all across the globe buy these?

Futura have a single, a long time coming, to be released early next year.....it's been hectic mixing and remixing the new single which will be released on Blanco y Negro. You can also check out www.burningcandle.com for my ambient "Lotus" album-to chill out to.....there's also a cyberspace/cypergallery project on its way through the net.

Do you still have the same fab hairstyle you did in the 80s? Also, George Harrison used to give his hair names, did you have a name for yours?

My hair style is mutating!

What Cds are currently being played in your house?

Trance, Morricone, Mercury Rev, Deep Forest...mixes of the new single (on Blanco Y Negro soon).

Thanks so much for your time and music Gil.

Bye and thanks....we'll be back soon.....love and peace.......gilbert...

 
*** Many thanks to Brent Aliverti for the complete and essential website and life-line to a not-so-dead band and to Sherri Browning for the additional interview ideas.

 
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