Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Forbidden Dream

1 – what is your earliest memory connected to music

For Chris and Phil, their musical inspiration came directly from their father, who was a musician—whether it was watching him rehearse with his band, as well as during musically charged family gathering or being exposed to artists like Kiss on TV for the first time. For Brad, music was always present in everyday life, from songs at school to what played on television and in films. While those influences were initially in the background, everything changed when we discovered a rock band that truly piqued our interest, sparking a deeper curiosity and desire to learn more about music.

2 – How did your passion for creating music began

Our journey into music started during our teenage years, when we tried tried to emulate our idols at the time, especially bands like Bon Jovi. Discovering rock groups like KISS and Bon Jovi really sparked our excitement about the possibility of playing an instrument. That interest grew further through our school’s music program, where we were given the opportunity to pick up an instrument and truly pursue it—something we had always admired in others and was thrilled to experience ourselves.

3 – What’s the story behind your current music project

Forbidden Dream has been active since 1997, and this marks our fourth full album. Over the years, the band has evolved quite a bit—we started as a five-piece, then became four, and now we’re three… a bit like Genesis, losing members every few years but never stopping. Despite coming from different regions, we eventually crossed paths and discovered our musical tastes and skills were strongly aligned. We collaborated closely for years, and even after one member relocated to another continent, the connection remained. It was during the pandemic, around 2021–22, that we reconnected and reignited our drive to create music together. This new album is a continuation of that renewed spark, proving that even across great distances, the band continues to move forward.

4 – how would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music

It’s fundamentally rock music, without question—a balanced mix of prog rock, ’80s hard rock, and funk. From there, it carries our own unique spin: melodic hard rock at its core, occasionally pushing into edgier territory, sometimes a little funky, and at times more tender-hearted.

5 – What is the one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music

Our philosophy is that nothing you create is ever “wrong.” If it comes from your own imagination and playing, it becomes part of who you are, so there’s no need to try to please anyone but yourself—which helps explain the wide range of sounds and styles in a Forbidden Dream album. At the same time, we believe in never stopping learning; there’s always something new to discover, especially in music. With the vast resources available today, we’re no longer limited to traditional outlets like top 40 radio or television, giving us the freedom to explore, grow, and create music that feels natural to us.

6 – what tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process

Imagination plays a central role in our process, paired with a highly collaborative approach. In our case, much of the creation happened remotely, with recording taking place across three different locations. We exchanged ideas and made decisions online through file sharing, using different recording software that, fortunately, remained compatible—allowing our creativity to flow seamlessly despite the distance.

7 – Which indie artist or song are you loving right now

Our influences and picks are pretty diverse—we’re big fans of artists like Butch Walker, who sits somewhere between indie and more established rock, constantly walking that line. We also draw inspiration from tracks like “Templar” by Ottawa metal band Endyium, along with artists such as Brumhilde, Maiam, and Worry Blast, all of which bring their own unique energy and style to the table.

8 – How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision

Every day adds a new page to our story, both as individuals and as a group, bringing more experience, knowledge, and perspective into everything we do. That growth naturally shapes our songwriting—we tend to write what we know. Early on, it might be about teenage emotions like crushes or feeling different, but as we mature, our priorities evolve, and so does the music we create.

9 – What emotions or message do you hope listeners take from your work

Our music and lyrics span a wide range, so whatever emotions or messages you take from them are ultimately your own. We like to think we cover the full spectrum of human experience—songs that evoke mystery and wonder, political angst, joy, sadness, and even absurd humour. At the end of the day, we’re simply expressing how we feel, just like many musicians before and after us. And because we’re only human, we believe there are others out there who can connect with those same thoughts and emotions.

10 – what’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far

Music offers endless opportunity and diversity, with so many ways to create and experience it across different styles and cultures—so don’t be afraid to be different. At the same time, a song is never truly “finished.” Your bandmates will always bring new ideas that can build on and improve what you started, which is what makes teamwork such an essential and powerful part of the process.

11 – What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at

We’d love to play some truly iconic venues, like The Cavern Club in Liverpool—the place that helped launch The Beatles and, in many ways, modern rock bands as we know them—as well as massive stages like Wacken Open Air Festival and Madison Square Garden. At the same time, events like the Paleo Festival in Nyon also appeal to us for their incredible diversity and wide range of musical styles.

12 – if you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why

Nuno Bettencourt, who seems capable of absolutely anything and brings such a great attitude to his craft, alongside true songwriting geniuses like John Lennon, Jon Anderson, Butch Walker, Paul McCartney, and Per Gessle, all of whom have left a lasting impact on how we think about music.

13 – Where can our listeners follow and support your music

Forbidden Dream music is on all streaming platforms.  Any news about the band is easily found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100029145918828

14 – Looking forward to the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter pf your music journey

We just want to keep plugging away, being happy and satisfied with what we create, and—most importantly—holding onto the friendships that this band was built on. At the same time, we already have new ideas we’d love to develop, record, and share with the world. Some songs on our latest album pushed us into more ambitious or unfamiliar territory, and we’re excited to keep exploring new directions, expanding our limits, and continuing to have fun—especially when it comes to playing live shows.

15 – what do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way

We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Above all, we find great joy in creating music, and we hope that listeners can share in that spirit—finding the same kind of joy in whatever they do, because in that sense, we’re no different from anyone else.

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