Gabriele Grassia

Dreaming (2017)

Composed and Performed by Gabriele Grassia
Produced by Dr. George Lam

Program Notes

The song is an attempt to drive the listener in an imaginary world of a dream characterized by unpredictability and lack of schemes.A bass is the driver and the pipe through which the dream start and eventually end.

The structure of the song is then builded around the dynamic of dreaming:

  • 1 phase: The real world (bass)
  • 2 phase : Start of the dream (slowly falling asleep,the bass changes and become a synthetic bass)
  • 3 phase: Deep dreaming (a quiet and relaxed piano)
  • 4 phase: Fast flashback to reality (bass is back)
  • 5 phase: Back to deep dream and to its climax (now an orchestra is in)
  • 6 phase: The awakening (bass)

The composition was created with the intention of escaping from the typical techniques in the use of dynamic, structure, harmony and composition used in rock and pop music. I also experimented with different tempo such as 7/4 and 7/8.

About the composer

Established in Brooklyn, NY since 2012, electric and double-bassist Gabriele Grassia has 12 years of experience in recording albums, live shows and touring around Italy. In all his career as musician, Gabriele has also been part of several projects embracing different styles of music from chill-ambient, rock, electronic, live EDM to more experimental music.

Awarded O1 U.S. ARTIST VISA as “alien with extraordinary ability” in 2012, Gabriele decides to move to New York City with the electronic rock band Late Guest at the Party and collaborate with American producer Caleb Shreve (Phantogram, Peter Bjorn and John, Shy Child, Bear Hands, Ra Ra Riot, Wu Tang Clan) and record the album Repeater in 2014.

The album was reviewed by Nylon, Spin and Filter magazines among the others: “the album is full of hits that combine the bands noticeable 90’s brit-pop sound, electro infused beats, and varying other musical elements that make up their distinct identity” (Nylon Magazine, July 2014 ), “Go ahead and add Late Guest at the Party to your list of delicious things that have found their way to New York by way of Italy” (Bushwickdaily.com, July 2014).

Following the release of the album, Late Guest at the Party performed multiple times in many NYC venues as Pianos, Arlene’s Grocery, Bowery Electric, Cake Shop, Cameo Gallery, Glassland, Rockwood Music Hall, Santos Party House and more Since the beginning of his time in the U.S., Gabriele has expanded his musical views, especially within the context of the underground indie-rock scene of Brooklyn. In 2013 he decides to join the band/project Purmamarca as a bass player and producer, performing in several clubs of NYC and releasing the EPs No Battles and Chasms, well received by blogs and webzines as Portals, DOA, yvynyl:

Gabriele is currently studying as undergraduate degree in music production at York College, CUNY and developing his double-bass technique with teachers Rob Duguay and Matthew Weber.