Forgotten Dream is a band that brings the spirit of ’90s alternative rock into a fresh and modern sound. Their music carries the grit and attitude of that era while shaping it into something new for today’s audience. With their debut album, Distorted Karma, they have started carving their place in the scene.
In this interview, we talk with their vocalist, Maryanne Muse, about the band’s journey, the artists who inspired her, and the stories behind her band’s music. We also discuss her thoughts on the role of women in heavy music and what’s next for Forgotten Dream.
Reuel
Hello Maryanne! It’s wonderful to chat with you. How are you and the rest of your band doing?
Maryanne Muse
Hi everyone! We are doing great; we’ve just finished recording a new song that will be released in Spring, and we are getting ready for a small tour starting on the 22nd of March.
Reuel
2024 was a great year for you. You released your debut album and some wonderful singles and music videos. Looking back, what moment stands out the most from this whirlwind of success?
Maryanne Muse
For me, the time spent in the recording studio is always the best. I have beautiful memories of the week we spent in Riccardo Daga’s studio recording our new album “Distorted Karma”. It was a magical experience to detach from reality to fully immerge myself in the recording the songs, to give them eternal life, working on every single detail to improve them and to make them sound exactly how I wanted them to sound.
Reuel
How would you describe Forgotten Dream’s sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before?
Maryanne Muse
Forgotten Dream sounds like a memory of ’90s alternative rock. As memories do, some things are remembered exactly as they were, while others change due to our own evolution. I would describe our sound as biting, nostalgic and raw.
Reuel
That’s a perfect analogy! “Distorted Karma” is loaded with amazing songs. But if all these songs came to life and became humans, which one would be your best friend?
Maryanne Muse
This is an unexpected question! I think “Cosmic Rock’n’Roll Love” would be my best friend, the person who always puts me in a good mood. This song is about falling in love with a special person, an experience that feels like a never-ending party where you have fun without worries.
Reuel
Which musicians influenced you the most while growing up and inspired you to become an artist?
Maryanne Muse
A lot of musicians inspired me in different ways while growing up, it would be hard to mention them all! Jim Morrison inspired me greatly in writing lyrics. Then, I have been inspired a lot by the attitude and sounds of bands like Hole, Babes in Toyland, Nirvana, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Green Day, and the Cranberries.
Reuel
Do you still enjoy listening to music as a fan or has working as a musician changed the way you experience it?
Maryanne Muse
Although working as a musician has widened and enhanced my ability to listen to music, I still find pleasure in listening to my favorite artists in the same way I did before.
Reuel
How do you see the representation of women in heavy music today, and what more can be done to promote inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Maryanne Muse
I think it’s way easier today for a woman to work in the heavy music scene than it was in the past. I think we are on the right way to promote inclusivity and support for female musicians. We always must keep in mind that music and talent have no gender.
Reuel
Well said! Thank you for your time and this interview! Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?
Maryanne Muse
I want to thank FemMetal and all the people who voted for us in the FemMetal Awards 2024! I also would like to invite all the people who haven’t listened to “Distorted Karma” yet to plunge into our world and let us know what they find! See you there!
