The all-trans band from northeastern Ohio out to conquer music and entertain your ears!
Natalie Grace Martin
founder, lyricist, producer, studio engineer, lead vocals, bass, drum programming, guitar, ukulele, accordion, mandolin, flute, french horn, trombone
Alumni
Dexter Stevenson: vocals, percussion
Ashley Lauren Fahey: guitar, vocals
Logan Allan: vocals, percussion
Trish Pekarcic: vocals
Matthew Hostetler: guitar
Jeri Sapronetti: guitar
Nathan P. Frimel: brass, keyboards
Samantha Bartilson: vocals
Jasper Martin: vocals
John Burrington: bass
Donald Alan: guitar
Colten Huffman: guitar
Joe Kidd: drums
Billy Riot Pifflestock: vocals
About the Band
Founded in 2017 by Natalie Grace Martin and Madeline Eckhart, DreamStates began with a cover of Kokomo and has evolved into a powerhouse ensemble of transgender pop musicians. Based in Akron, Ohio, the band proudly stands as musical ambassadors to the trans and gender non-conforming communities across all of Ohio. Their music exudes hope and positivity, knows no bounds stylistically, and is full to the brim with catchy melodies, clever hooks, and lush, inventive instrumentation.They have opened for LGBTQ icons Ryan Cassata and Betty Who, been featured on LA Music Critic's "Most Amazing Music Videos" blog, and performed at Pride festivals and events in Akron, Columbus, Athens, Cleveland, and Erie, PA.
DreamStates released Part One of their self-titled debut album in January 2018, and Part Two was released shortly after in late February. They jumped over the sophomore slump with their second album, "Mode Of Being" in August of 2018, and its lead single "Memory Lane" dominated local radio while earning them a headlining spot in the second annual Akron Pride Festival. That December, they released an album of twisted covers called "Massive Sonic Implications," and kept rolling into 2019 with the April release of their fourth studio effort, the pop spectacular "SAD BAD HAPPY GOOD."
Led by Natalie Martin's soaring alto vocals, and strongly elevated by a rich chorus of harmony (featuring new singers Jo Heil and Jasper Martin), DreamStates toured "SBHG" for the next whole year. In March of 2020, they released their long-awaited follow-up, "Something Borrowed, Something Groove" featuring the single "Hilltop Song (When The World Ends)" and its mind-bending music video, featuring the sci-fi short film "Pendulum" by DUST filmmaker Lauren Cooney.
In the summer of 2022, vocalist Billy Pifflestock joined the band on high harmonies, and former vocalist Jasper Martin left the performing ensemble, but stayed on as the band's primary graphic designer and artist. Jasper also runs many of the band's social media accounts and keeps the website updated.
Natalie, Madeline, Jo, and Billy are now working on the band's 10th album, adding choreography, and incorporating live-looping into their performances.They are supported by a legion of fans, family, and friends from coast to coast, and are incredibly thankful for each and every person counted among them.
"The songs on Something Borrowed, Something Groove blend elements of EDM, synthpop, and emo but are not by any means genre restricted. What they have in common is that they’re all high energy and feature some incredible backing beats. Almost everything maintains a peppy pace that’s bright and brimming with emotional intensity. The lyrics are catchy and passionately delivered. The artists even break the fourth wall occasionally in a meta fashion, toying with the concept of writing catchy songs in tracks like Hooks. The most mellow songs are near the end of the album. Both Love’s World and There We Go (introducing Jasper Lee) help to wind things down with a touch of tenderness. Reflective, sentimental vibes permeate throughout these starry-eyed jams. The beats are bright, with a xylophonic quality and the vocals are melodically dynamic. All in all, there’s a lot of talent here, excellent songwriting and (in my opinion) some genuine hits on this release. I highly recommend this"— Anastim Ducray, Stepkid Magazine
“Sad. Bad. Happy. Good. Sure, these could all be the normal course of emotions that humans experience in a given day. But for Madeline Eckhart and Natalie Grace Martin, this range of feelings represents an umbrella of experiences powerful enough to inspire an entire album. (...)On “SAD BAD HAPPY GOOD,” their fourth full-length studio album since they were formed in late 2017, they set out to record a set of up-tempo tracks to remind their trans and non-binary siblings that there is still reason to smile and dance, even in these extraordinarily troubled times. Prizm chatted with the duo to learn more about their motivation, sense of identity, and path forward to create even more memorable music."— Ken Schneck, Prizm News
“The video is polished and engaging, which is especially notable considering the creative rigging DreamStates created to pull it together. “I used an everyday kitchen mixer — a whisk — propped up in a small metal bucket to hold my iPhone in place,” Natalie laughs, detailing her impromptu ‘cameraman.’ “I then used Vegas Pro 12 with the very multi-talented Madeline to edit it.” While the side bar pep talk here should inspire emerging artists the world over that yes, you can create magic using only a camera phone, creativity, and your kitchen, the true goal of the video was unequivocally achieved, and then some. “We simply wanted to show a transgender individual giving a message of hope, love, and positivity,” DreamStates share. “We think we got there.” That they did.”— Eric Alper, ThatEricAlper
It’s really hard not to like DreamStates. Even if pop isn’t necessarily your thing, there is a delightful witchery to the earnestness of their lyrics and their celebration of bravery in the face of any number of foes. The album is a peppy, poppy and bold reminder of the ever-present opportunity of, well, new possibilities.”— Ted Zep, Super No Bueno
“The song is titled “More Like Silence” and keeps the listener engaged throughout it’s 4 and a half minute run. This song definitely gets us here at Rock the Pigeon hyped up to see this incredible band live and to hear their next song or full length record! The lead guitar cuts through the record as powerful and the synths gives the song a very fun vibe. “More Like Silence” definitely lifts the mood of anyone who listens. The vocals are on point, catchy, and showcase a true singing talent.”— RTP Staff, Rock The Pigeon
"Addictive as a cigarette”. And that’s what we feel DreamStates’ single ‘Silhouette’ is like. Have that first puff in high-school. Don’t like it? But all of a sudden 10 years down the line, you’re puffing away a pack a day. That habit is bad for you, you say to yourself. But you do nothing about it. And that’s because it’s got your hooks in you. That’s what DreamStates is like. Unassuming, and so cool, with synth and fun vocals, and production that gets you jumping around automatically. Weird. But we accept it. We’re adults. Get to know this Ohio originating band. No peer pressure (just a little).”— CHF Staff, comeherefloyd
"Martin and Eckhart crafted an album comprised of 12 honest and impassioned electro-pop songs...Using Bruno Mars and Daft Punk as a general jumping-off point, DreamStates dives head first into unpacking their relatively complicated feelings in regards to relationships, depression, and their hunger for attention...Though it seems far in the distance, the day will come when people won't have to feel guilty or embarassed about, well, damn near everything. And that right there is a beautiful thing that this album celebrates."— Ted Zep, The Devil Strip
