True Dreams are a freaky & lovable duo who write catchy punk music that is uniquely their own. Angela and Hannah have real star power – everything from their vocal melodies, to patty-cake choreography, and matching uniforms – it all feels very special to watch. Get to know more about these amazing female artists below!
How did you guys meet?
A: We met during the filming of my ex-boyfriend’s music video. I didn’t really know anyone that was going to the shoot, and I felt (and I actually always feel!) generally shy. I saw Hannah and her friend Kat walk into the room and I just had a feeling that I’d hit it off with them. I stood near them and tried to make them laugh a bunch… do I sound like a creep?! Anyway, by the end of the night the three of us were talking and laughing and having so much fun. A week later Hannah and Kat showed up at one of my shows and I felt so excited and happy! I’ve been close with both of them ever since!
What’s the meaning behind the name True Dreams?
H: It’s an overly sincere and sarcastic reference to people’s hopes and dreams being tied up in their “passion”. It’s the reason people move to New York. It’s the dichotomy between being super invested in something and deriving genuine happiness from it, and also shouldering off the “you can do anything you want” bullshit expectations placed on us by society. We’re also named after a deli in Ridgewood that closed down shortly after we formed.
You’re going on tour in Europe! What’s one thing you can’t travel without?
H: My heating pad (dubbed “wubby” by a former teasing roommate) to help me fall asleep. And some form of weed.
A: A notebook for drawing sketches, writing down thoughts (traveling always gives me a good/different perspective on my life in New York), and writing down the funny things and jokes that transpire on tour. But now I know that Hannah is bringing her wubby, maybe I should bring mine too! She bought me one a couple of years ago!
Angela – does Hannah cut your hair?
A: Yes she does! Hannah is extremely talented, and I trust her fully with everything! So there is no doubt that whenever I need a haircut that I’m going to her.
Favorite dessert?
H: That honestly feels harder to answer than a “favorite band” question. When I was in Thailand recently we tried a Korean dessert called bingsu. It was a mountain of shaved ice and mystery, topped with red bean, and different kinds of jelly and sauce. I’m all about texture when it comes to food, so this was the most exciting dessert I’ve had in a while. AND anything Angela bakes is also my favorite.
A: Aw, that is so sweet of Hannah to say! I honestly love ALL desserts except for cheesecake and anything that has hot blueberries in it, haha. Now that’s a story for another interview! I bake for a living, so I think about treats a lot. My favorite desserts always have lots and lots of chocolate involved!
What was it like making your music video for “The Scum”?
H: It was so fun! Our friend Andrew Costa shot and directed the video, and it was really easy to work with him because he’s hilarious and great at coming up with fun ideas off the cusp. We had some loose ideas and inspiration when we shot the video, the basis of which being to act out a Laverne and Shirley friendship dynamic. Their daily life is filled with run-ins with the gross but seemingly benign scum, which keeps creeping in and presenting itself in these banal interactions. We don’t seem to notice until it’s too late. Many of the ideas in the video were improvised, and the last scene definitely came out of left field. I wasn’t sure how it would translate at the time, but I’m happy with how it turned out. We shot the video in the dead of winter of 2018, so anytime you see us outside in our uniforms we were fucking FREEZING!
Favorite place to hang out together?
H: We love El Cortez. We’ve both had birthday parties there, one of which was a show that Bad Kiss played aka the first time I met you!
What’s one band (dead or alive) you would pay lots of $$$ to see?
H: The Ramones.
A: In my fantasy we’d trudge through a blizzard (when the streets of the city get all quiet and twinkle-y under the street lights) and then we’d go inside the old CBGB’s and it would be warm and cozy and we’d see Joey across the room through a haze of cigarette smoke.
Do you guys get nervous before shows?
H: I always experience various degrees of nervousness before a show. It ranges from mild to extreme, but no matter what theres always a bowel movement involved. I always feel better once I get it out of my system. I’m talking about the performance.
A: Haha. I always get nervous! I think sometimes it adds some sort of edge, at least I hope!I think it does add some kind of energy that the audience can feel in a good way… a kind of these-people-are-relatable-human-vibrations.
What’s the best thing about being in a band with your BFF?
H: There are so many best things, but maybe the best is performing together. Whenever we make eye contact on stage I feel like we are the only people in the room. Ooh la la.
A: I agree with Hannah, haha. Performing together and sharing the fun experience of presenting ourselves and something we care deeply about to people. You never know how a live show is going to go- no amount of practice can prepare you for what an audience or a crappy sound system may meet you with- so it’s really exciting being in that boat together. I know that no matter what, we have each other’s backs and we’ll always have fun- and the eye contact!! <3
Listen to True Dream’s LP “No.1” here, and if you happen to be in Europe later this month, catch them on tour from Feb 22-29.
Original photo by Justin Buschardt.