Neon Dreams
Frank Kadillac (left) and Adrian Morris (right)
Frank Kadillac (left) and Adrian Morris (right)
Background information
OriginHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
GenresAlt-Pop
Years active2015-present
Members
  • Frank Kadillac
  • Adrian Morris
Past members
  • Corey Lerue
  • Matt Gats
Websiteneondreams.ca

Neon Dreams is a Canadian alt-pop duo consisting of vocalist Frank Kadillac and drummer Adrian Morris. They write and produce their own music with long-time collaborator Corey Lerue. They defy genre pigeonholing, as they draw freely upon pop, rock, folk, EDM, hip-hop and reggae elements. Their most successful songs are "Marching Bands," "Survive", "High School Dropout", "Life Without Fantasies" and “Little Dance”.

Background

Musical style

The band reflects a diverse musical style combining EDM with live instrumental and vocals.[1] They create a unique form of alternative pop music taking influence from rock, folk, EDM, hip-hop and reggae elements. They began performing together in high school at the age of 16. They are known for their high-energy live shows with both members playing multiple instruments throughout the set.[2]

Career

The band started in 2015 consisting of lead vocalist Frank Kadillac (born Jahmal Wellington), DJ/vocalist Corey LeRue, guitarist Matt Gats, and drummer Adrian Morris. They met in high school where Corey was a DJ while the other members were originally into rock. They spent their formative years pushing boundaries and experimenting with different musical styles. They first got recognition from rapper Waka Flocka Flame in January 2015 when they remixed his track “Hard In The Paint”.

Their sound evolved into electronic with pop and rock elements as they began writing and performing. On September 4, 2015 they released their first track, “Love Experts”. It was debuted on Bell Media stations across Canada and quickly picked up by other Top-40 stations nationwide. It climbed its way onto Billboard’s CHR Top 40 chart and iTunes’ Top 10 electronic chart.

Their debut EP To You was released on August 26, 2016 and accumulated over 15 million streams. It included the group's gold single "Marching Bands," featuring Kardinal Offishall. They won Best New Artist (Dance/Urban/Rhythmic) at the 2017 Canadian Radio Music Awards, beating out prominent nominees Tory Lanez and PartyNextDoor. They were also winners of the 2017 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class.

In 2017 Corey Lerue left the band to run their Halifax based Independent label Dreaming Out Loud. The label signed a distribution imprint deal with Warner Music Canada. Lerue continues to write and produce for the band. In 2018 Matt Gats left the band to take over label and managing duties.

The duo released their debut album, Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams, on July 25 2019. The 9 track album was inspired by Kadillac's visit to a healing retreat in Sedona, Arizona, where he was encouraged to open up about his troubled childhood. The album featured the radio hit “High School Dropout,” which reached #20 on Canadian Top 40.

Neon Dreams won the JUNO Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2020[3] and performed "We Were Kings" on the broadcast. Billboard [4] said afterwards, "Neon Dreams capped a career-year with a Juno Award and a special performance that confirmed the alt-pop duo’s elevation to the big stage."

Discography

Studio albums

  • Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams (2019)
    • "Life Without Fantasies"
    • "High School Dropout"
    • "We Were Kings"
    • "About you..."
    • "HIT Like This"
    • "If not now, when...?"
    • "Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams"
    • "TY"
    • "Belong"
  • The Happiness Of Tomorrow (2020)
    • "Lifestyles of the Broke and Nameless"
    • "Sick of Feeling Useless"
    • "House Party"
    • "Don't Go Hating Me Now"
    • "All the People"
    • "I'm With You"
    • "The Happiness of Tomorrow"
  • Love Child Baby Dolphin (2023)
    • "Little Dance"
    • "ITS ALL GOOD"
    • "Let's Not Forget"
    • "Mama You're Always Perfect"
    • "The Other Side of You"
    • "This Is It"
    • "Love Child Baby Dolphin"
    • "TY2"
    • "Blue Butterfly"

Extended plays

  • To You (2016)
    • "Best of Your Heart"
    • "Find a Way"
    • "If I Say"
    • "Marching Band" (feat. Kardinal Offishall)
    • "The Truth"
    • "To You" (feat. Lee Fraser)
    • "Wallpaper"

Tours

  • To You Tour (2016)
  • Cageless Tour w/ Hedley (2018)
  • Never Coming Down Tour w/ Ria Mae (2018)
  • Sweet Dreams till Sunbeams Tour (2019)
  • Wanted Tour w/ Tyler Shaw (2019)
  • Rattlesnake Tour w/ The Strumbellas (2020)
  • South Africa Tour (2021)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Result Ref
2016 Best of Halifax Readers's Choice Awards Best Electronic Artist / Band Neon Dreams Won [5]
Nova Scotia Music Awards Electronic Artist of the Year Neon Dreams Won [6]
2017 Juno Awards Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class Neon Dreams Won [7][8]
Canadian Radio Music Awards Best New Group or Solo Artist: Dance/Urban/Rhythmic "Marching Bands" Won [9]
2020 Juno Awards Breakthrough Group of the Year Neon Dreams Won [10]

Band members

  • Frank Kadillac – vocals, guitar, ukulele
  • Adrian Morris – drums, acoustic guitar, programming

References

  1. ↑ Froneman, Kristin. "Haligonians Neon Dreams are living the dream as they tour new EP, To You - Kelowna News". Kelowna Capital News. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  2. ↑ LLC, Beatport. "Neon Dreams :: Beatport DJs". dj.beatport.com. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  3. ↑ "2020 JUNO AWARD WINNERS| Billboard". junoawards.ca. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  4. ↑ "Neon Dreams Shine With 'We Were Kings' Performance at 2020 Juno Awards: Watch | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  5. ↑ "Best Electronic Artist / Band". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  6. ↑ "Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week 2016: Music Nominees". nsmw.ca. Archived from the original on 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  7. ↑ "Halifax EDM group Neon Dreams one step closer to their musical dreams | The Chronicle Herald". m.thechronicleherald.ca. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  8. ↑ "The Winners | Juno Master Class". www.junomasterclass.ca. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  9. ↑ "2017 CRMA Nominees |2017 Canadian Music Week April 18-22, 2017". cmw.net. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Neon Dreams Shine With 'We Were Kings' Performance at 2020 Juno Awards: Watch | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
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