Originally Published on The DJ List: As a sidenote, I’ve written for The DJ List for a year and a half now; worked my way from Ad Hoc press releases to being the Senior Editor and PR Specialist, and at about the 150 article mark – this interview with Lucent Dossier founder Dream Rockwell stands at the pinnacle of my accomplishments, right along with my coverage of Lightning in a Bottle, Sea of Dreams and Krewella’s Get Wet Tour with Seven Lions. Enjoy; I know I did!
As Spring manifests into Summer, Los Angeles based avant-garde performance collective the Lucent Dossier Experience are taking a quick break between legs of their first North American Headlining Tour “Light of the World.” The tour showcases the production and vocals of Lucent leader Dream Rockwell alongside singer Sarah Llewellyn and band members Atla Gadret and Metaphase. Commencing at Coachella’s Gobi Stage, and then another headlining set at California’s coveted underground music festival Lightning in a Bottle, they’ve been taking the East Coast of the country by storm with their out of this world stage spectacle of acrobats and contortionists ebbing and flowing to eastern inspired melodies. City by city, the 21 person performance troupe joins up with exclusive local acts for a unique Lucent Dossier Experience each and every time.
With multiple tours spanning twelve countries over the past decade, it’s easy to understand how the ensemble worked their way from humble beginnings in the vast underground party network of Los Angeles to international stardom. In a Bohemian-Steam Punk induced style all their own, The Lucent Dossier Experience combines the theatrics of modern dance and performance art with the immense creativity that fuels festivals like Coachella, Burning Man and Lightning in a Bottle. Weaving aerial acrobatics into body rattling sub-bass frequencies, the troupe delivers a performance package that completely redefines the live theater experience by further blurring the line between performer and audience member. The team is led by the effervescent Dream Rockwell, a creative visionary with a clear understanding of what she wants to give to the world; and we were lucky enough to touch base with her as her troupe gears up for their Summer tour across the West Coast and Canada.
“I started The Do LaB with two brothers. They loved to build and light things, lots of power tools and stuff. I wanted to do more frilly lacy things….more spiritual, if you will, more silliness; so I started Lucent, to get my creative wiggle out. We became the perfect complement to each other. I fueled by my desire to live in a better world and the understanding that we can’t do it alone. We have to go together. So I hope to inspire others to create a better world for us all to live it. That’s my passion.”
TDJL: Not only are you the founder of the Lucent Dossier Experience, but you’re a co-founder of Lightning in a Bottle – what other hats do you wear?
“I have a foundation called Cuddle the World, we deliver cuddle blankets, inspirational toys and instruments and necessities to children in basic care institutions worldwide. In fact, I’m almost on my way Guyana to visit an orphanage and play with the kids there. I’m pretty excited about that.”
TDJL: Coming off of your amazing performance at Lightning in a Bottle, how and where do you draw your inspiration from and how does that translate into your solo performances – like the one coming up in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theater?
“We’re always inspired to inspire others. To be more of who the really are. Not who we think we should be, but just who we are. We’re all weirder, more powerful, more playful then how we’re living and acting…..at least that’s my belief. Lucent is a permission slip to let it all transpire, all the awesomeness of who we really are. “
TDJL: You’re on another tour – the ‘Light of the World Tou’r – how does this differ from your last national tour and when ‘Lucent Met Herakut’?
“When Lucent Met Herakut was a show we put up at the Palace DTLA. Our last national tour was with Panic! At the Disco. We’ve done lots of dates here and there but this is our big first tour in years, and our first as a headliner! The difference is, we are more in our power now then we’ve ever been. We are super solid in our craft and as a team. It’s an exciting time for us. “
TDJL: With the Do Lab – life seems to be non-stop; a festival here, performance there – how do you manage to stay on top of it all and, when you’re not Do Labbing it up – how do you fill your leisure time?
“I’m not involved in the day to day of The Do LaB operations these days. I’m focused on LIB and Lucent. But even so, leisure time is few and far between. I could probably use a little more leisure time and hope to get it soon. But I love what I do; it’s important to me.”
More tour dates will be rolling out soon, so make sure to stay up to date with Dream Rockwell and all things LUCENT DOSSIER through their socials.
Early Summer 2014 “Light of the World” Tour Dates:
7/25 Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
7/26 Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
8/10 Salmo, BC Shambhala Music Festival
Lucent Dossier Experience: The DJ List | Website | Facebook
Dream Rockwell: Facebook
To find out more about Dream’s Non Profit foundation ‘Cuddle the World’, please head to the website here
The Bouncy Kitty 