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"Home is Wherever You Are" review by Now This Rocks!!!
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Grandiose melodies and soaring instrumentation stand at the door to welcome you to Fernando Perdomo’...Grandiose melodies and soaring instrumentation stand at the door to welcome you to Fernando Perdomo’s new EP, “Home Is Wherever You Are”. The gorgeously mellow sound of “Home” lay the foundation for another winner from this talented singer/songwriter based in Miami. “Smile” is another instant favorite, with its gentle acoustic fingerpicking and empathetic lyrics providing all one needs to feel better. The video is also brilliant (see below) - the best of its kind since R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts". I also love the breezy feel of “Lazy”, which is beautifully sung by Perdomo, and the tenderness of the acoustic ballad “In A World Without You”. This song builds to a rewarding climax, reminding me of the timeless pop ballads of 70s soft rock. Finally, the witty word play of the weepy “Andreas Fault” makes for a fine finish to this excellent EP.
Many of you may be familiar with Perdomo’s extensive work in the power pop scene in Miami, and through his Dreaming In Stereo project (reviewed here). His new EP, under the direction of longtime friend and Grammy nominated producer Chris Rodriguez, is full of symphonic arrangements to accompany its softer side and laid back pace. It’s a different sound, but “Home Is Wherever You Are” sounds like home for any music fan!
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"Home Is Wherever You Are" review by Beachedmiami.com
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Always one to mix the robust melodies of powerpop with soft adult contemporary, Fernando Perdomo rep...Always one to mix the robust melodies of powerpop with soft adult contemporary, Fernando Perdomo replaces powerpop with the sweeping elements of orchestral acoustic pop on his new EP, Home is Wherever You Are, released yesterday. After relocating to Los Angeles this year, the longtime Miami staple delivers two new originals and four re-worked tracks of songs Perdomo originally released with his band Dreaming in Stereo.
“In a World Without You”, one of the two new songs, is a condensed two-minute ballad with a Burt Bacharach-like arrangement. The EP’s other original, “Andrea’s Fault”, is composed alluringly with a charming string section backing Perdomo’s thin baritone, which, here, moves a lot like Elvis Costello’s. The EP’s four revised Dreaming in Stereo originals have been stripped of their powerpop façade and arranged either acoustically lush (“Lazy” and “Fill My Sky”) or subtly grand (“Home” and “Smile”).
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Review: Dreaming In Stereo “Dreaming In Stereo 2” 2/16/11
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Pop rock
Dreaming In Stereo is back with a sophomore effort simply entitled “Dreaming In Stereo 2”....Pop rock
Dreaming In Stereo is back with a sophomore effort simply entitled “Dreaming In Stereo 2”. We last heard from this brainchild of the multi-talented singer/songwriter Fernando Perdomo back in 2009 (see review). Ever the busy music man, Perdomo would seem to run the risk of burning out and producing weaker material, but rather I think his hectic schedule and involvement with other musical projects feeds his creativity and ambition.
This sequel to his noteworthy debut record shows important growth, yet stays firmly rooted in keeping the melody the centerpiece. Generally, I enjoyed the front half of the record more than the back half – the first few songs are very radio-friendly and accessible. In contrast, the latter songs are more experimental and the hooks take a back seat. Perdomo still sounds great, with a warm voice halfway between Tom Petty and Jason Falkner. This time out the band also features some tracks with female vocals, “Saturday Song” and “Without You”. They are reasonably performed, but not my preference when I am in the mood for Dreaming In Stereo. “Fill My Sky”, inspired by the Android phone app ‘Google Sky Map’, is the first single – a little mellow, but a gorgeous track that sounds like it could have been a single from Petty’s “Full Moon Fever”. “The Traveler” is another slow burning winner, with a smoldering hook that eases into your senses. The dreamy, atmospheric music fits the lyrics perfectly. Other excellent stand outs include “Enough’s Enough”, “Gonna Sleep Until Tomorrow”, and the tranquil acoustic ballad, “Lullaby”. “Music All Around Me (Dudley Moore's Last Words)” is a sweeping pop rock song with George Harrison-inspired lead work that makes the end of the record worth waiting for.
Check out Dreaming In Stereo if you like The Churchills, Dishwalla, or other melodramatic, progressive pop rock. There are some outstanding finds to treasure on “Dreaming In Stereo 2”. You can also catch the band’s showcase at SXSW 2011 in Austin, TX.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12
Dreaming In Stereo on MySpace.
Check out the video for “Part Of Your Life”
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Album Review: Dreaming in Stereo - 2 2/16/11
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Album Review: Dreaming in Stereo - 2
They’re not afraid to list their influences: Todd Rundgren, ...Album Review: Dreaming in Stereo - 2
They’re not afraid to list their influences: Todd Rundgren, Jellyfish, Yes, King Crimson. Put another way, the members of Miami, Florida-based Dreaming in Stereo dig precisely-crafted yet challenging music. They like ear candy that hold up to careful listening. Better yet, they craft music that aims for – and largely meets – those lofty standards.
The group’s second long player is called 2, and it features mid-tempo songs that are carefully (but not fussily) arranged. The songs put Fernando Perdomo’s clear, expressive voice right out front. In addition to the standard rock combo lineup of instruments, Dreaming in Stereo makes effective use of strings in many of their arrangements.
Song construction employs plenty of dynamics, but never to the point of calling attention to the craft. Rather than pointing out similarities to the Grays, it’s perhaps more useful to observe that Dreaming in Stereo seem to draw upon the same wellspring of inspiration that informed the music of Jon Brion and Jason Falkner.
Lovers of the three-minute pop idiom, Dreaming in Stereo largely confine their songs to that framework; only four of 2’s thirteen tracks extend much beyond 180 seconds. And the three-minute limit is a double-edged sword: you’ve got to make your point quickly enough to get it across, but you can’t overstuff the song. One or two good ideas is about the limit.
Dreaming in Stereo delivers those ideas to listeners. A track like “Gonna Sleep Until Tomorrow” (which, as it happens, is one of the longer tracks) unfolds with a lovely, soaring instrumental section. But rather than being some prog side-excursion, it’s just a well-executed restatement of the vocal part of the song. Like many of the songs on 2, the hook is restated until it burrows into the listeners’ consciousness. But it never overstays its visit.
The songs never quite get into harder rocking territory a la Cheap Trick. There’s a more baroque and refined sensibility to the album’s songs. The brief instrumental “Goodwill” is a prime example of this: its aesthetic is closer to The Left Banke than The Who.
The vaguely spooky (and lyrically spartan) “Open the Door” sounds like a late 70s John Lennon demo overdubbed by Teenage Fanclub with Emitt Rhodes producing. A seeming hallmark of the band’s writing style is to keep lyrics to a minimum. They’re not Ramones or (god forbid) Silver Convention, but neither are they Bob Dylan. Most songs have a fairly short set of lyrics.
Perdomo cedes lead vocal duties to honey-voiced Marisol Garcia on the acoustic “Without You” (an original song, not a Badfinger cover) and the melodramatic “Saturday Song.” The wonderfully wistful and anthemic “Standing Still (While the World Goes Around)” sports an arrangement that — especially thanks to the drumming style and the violin overdubs – is highly reminiscent of Electric Light Orchestra and Klaatu.
They’re all good-to-very-good songs. But the real gem among gems is “Music All Around Me (Dudley Moore’s Last Words).” With a guitar lick straight out of the George Harrison playbook, the majestic ballad unfolds slowly. Its bittersweet lyric is wedded to a arrangement worthy of Jeff Lynne.
In the end, it’s as simple as this: listeners who nod approvingly at any of the artists (except Silver Convention!) name-checked on the preceding 400-plus words would do well to check out Dreaming in Stereo’s 2.
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Dreaming in Stereo 2 is for Lovers 2/14/11
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It is no accident that Dreaming In Stereo spent the last few weeks recruiting people to kiss on came...It is no accident that Dreaming In Stereo spent the last few weeks recruiting people to kiss on camera for yesterday's video shoot for "Part Of Your Life," the first single off the band's second Lp. "Dreaming In Stereo 2" seduces your ears like a smooth lover, whispering sweet nothings, mellotrons and soft guitar melodies until you blush and relent to its charms.
As long as your expectations don't involve getting off the love seat, the album's charms are plentiful - if a bit mysterious. Listening to the hodgepodge of early 70s FM radio guitar licks laid down by bandleader/lead vocalist Fernando Perdomo, it's hard to imagine he was born in 1980. His lush soft rock soundscapes repudiate any musical ideas hatched after 1974. Punk? Metal? Postpunk? Grunge? Indie Rock? Electro? Never happened!
As there are legions of folks who wish none of those movements occurred, Dreaming In Stereo 2 has a potentially vast audience. Unfortunately for Perdomo & crew, most of those people only listen to classic rock and oldies stations. And by large, those folks wouldn't be caught dead at a SXSW showcase, or anywhere else "new music" goes to be discovered. But if a VW commercial can make Nick Drake posthumously popular, surely a path to popularity exists for Dreaming In Stereo.
The first step on that (goodbye) yellow brick road takes place at Dreaming in Stereo 2's record release party Sunday night at The Stage Miami, 170 NE 38th st. Admission is free. If you'd like to preview the record, the tracks are up on the Dreaming In Stereo facebook page.
Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/miami-music/2011/02/dreaming-in-stereo-2-is-for-lovers.html#ixzz1EEvE1aWO
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Dreaming in Stereo 2 "Another Masterpeice"
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Dreaming in Stereo's CD-release party at the Stage February 20
A A A Comments (0) By Lee Zimmerman ...Dreaming in Stereo's CD-release party at the Stage February 20
A A A Comments (0) By Lee Zimmerman Thursday, Feb 17 2011
"This is not bar-band music," Fernando Perdomo says emphatically of Dreaming in Stereo 2, the followup to the band's remarkable 2009 self-titled debut. Like its predecessor, the new album takes its cue from a distinctly '70s sound, one that melds the orchestral style of the Moody Blues with the drama and daringness of early ELO.
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170 NE 38th St
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9 p.m. , Sunday, February 20, at the Stage, 170 NE 38th St., Miami; thestagemiami.com. Admission is free.
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Released on Perdomo's own Forward Motion Records imprint, the record is the latest product of an ambitious musical venture, one that's taking Perdomo and other members of his collective from recent gigs at New York's famed Living Room nightclub to a showcase spotlight at South by Southwest.
Few other local outfits are as consistently imaginative as Dreaming in Stereo, and indeed the band's sophomore set takes that adventurous attitude to new heights. The album is draped in an ethereal orchestral sheen captured by shimmering lead guitars, synths, Mellotrons, and a full chorus of angelic harmonies. Perdomo writes the bulk of the material. But in a sense, it's a more integrated effort than before, with keyboardist and co-vocalist Marisol Garcia, viola player Dave Torre, drummer Eddie Zyne, and bassist Vincent Cuevas stamping their individual imprints on the music's lavish sonic textures.
And as Perdomo implied with his "bar-band" comment, there's a challenge in reproducing this music live. If anything, though, that ought to make this Sunday's CD-release party at the Stage an intriguing proposition. After all, this isn't exactly a basic batch of songs. The determined surge of opening track "Fill My Sky," the billowing of ballad "Part of Your Life," and the drift and lilt of "Summer Is Gone" all attest to the album's sophisticated sound.
" 'Enough's Enough' was written after attending an Enuf Z'nuff concert," he recalls. "When I didn't have a chorus, I sang the name of the band." He claims that the title of "There's Music All Around Me" was inspired by actor Dudley Moore's last words, "according to Wikipedia." And, he notes, the lyrics to "Gonna Sleep Until Tomorrow" were written via text message.
Regardless of their origins, the material that makes up the bulk of Dreaming in Stereo 2 allows for a fascinating aural encounter. And it's no exaggeration to say this music man has minted another masterpiece.
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Dreaming In Stereo NEW TIMES REVIEW
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Dreaming in Stereo
Dreaming in Stereo (Van Gogh Records)
If there's one thing that's evident fro...Dreaming in Stereo
Dreaming in Stereo (Van Gogh Records)
If there's one thing that's evident from the outset about multi-instrumental wunderkind Fernando Perdono -- aside from the already established fact that he's one of South Florida's most gifted songwriters and musicians -- it's that he's obviously listened to a lot of classic albums in his day. He flaunts his well-stocked vinyl library both on the inner sleeve of this new CD and its accompanying video for the lead single, "Steal This Song." But Perdomo proves adept at transferring those collective influences into original songs that shine.
Traces of the Beatles, ELO, the Beach Boys, and the Moody Blues permeate this self-titled set, giving each track an instant familiarity that seizes hold at first encounter. That's owed in large part to the effusive arrangements that accompany songs such as "Misery Loves Companies," "Lazy," "Smile" and "Decisions, Decisions," all of which are endowed with sumptuously compelling choruses.
Then there's the fact that each track is embossed with a glossy pop sheen and ornate orchestration. Perdomo has a knack for creating hooks that instantly engage, boosted considerably by intricate textures.
Happily though, Dreaming in Stereo offers more than mere sugary sweet excess. Perdomo's lyrical twists reflect a knowing perspective of the music biz and all its various pitfalls. Consequently "Steal This Song" rails against those who would plunder a musician's wares through illegal downloads. Meanwhile "I'm Not Gonna Move to L.A." touts his loyalty to the local scene over opportunities offered in an entertainment mecca like Los Angeles. Ultimately though, Perdomo's appeal derives from craft and creativity, and a lingering sense that Perdomo will maintain this unmistakable presence for a long time to come.
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BMF MUSIC BLOG REVIEW OF THE ALBUM
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Dreaming In Stereo is centered around the multi-talented singer/songwriter Fernando Perdomo. Vocally...Dreaming In Stereo is centered around the multi-talented singer/songwriter Fernando Perdomo. Vocally, Perdomo has quite the dreamy voice with hints of J.R. Richards and Jason Falkner - atmospheric and pleasing to the ears, and exceptionally well suited to his ballads and mid-tempo numbers. After hearing this self-titled debut, I am convinced Dreaming In Stereo has all it takes to make their dreams of pop rock stardom come true.
Perdomo is a master at crafting catchy songs in an artful manner, complete with some atypical instruments now and then to keep things interesting. His pristine vocals just sail over these gorgeous melodies, creating a great mood record that is as intelligent as much as it is fun to listen to. From the jamming "Steal This Song" (his meditation on musical piracy) and the upbeat power pop gems "I'm Not Gonna Move To L.A." and "Decisions, Decisions", to the beautiful balladry in "Lazy" and "Let Me Love You", this CD has it all.
Deep lyrics, credible vocals, and sophisticated music - you get all this and more with Dreaming In Stereo. Some of the most accessible art rock I've ever hard - Dreaming In Stereo may have founded a new musical genre: progressive power pop! Fans of Genesis, Yes, Dishwalla...take note.
iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
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NOTLAME.COM feature review
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MY GOOD LORD - this is amazing. Let the superlatives flow and let fans of Jon Brion, Roger Joseph ...
MY GOOD LORD - this is amazing. Let the superlatives flow and let fans of Jon Brion, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., Jason Falkner, Parthenon Huxley and....Utopia rejoice! Dreaming In Stereo starts off with a mid70s Genesis inspired instrumental and dives into a second track that sounds like a long, lost amazing Falkner track. From there, something that few artists can pull off, we visit Todd Rundgren`s Utopia. You try that at home, folks! "Day Dream With Progressive Pop Royalty. Every song is just reeking, over-flowing with ambition that feeds stellar results. Suddenly, in the middle of 2009, there is a flow of new bands and releases that pushing into my `best of year` list and Dreaming In Stereo is not only assured of that status but is now a contender of one of very top spots. I put up a whole lot of soundbites to offer as proof of this status and in the hopes you give Dreaming In Stereo more time than you may have to check so many of the amazing offerings on the Not Lame site. I, respectfully, ask for some your time to `prove it` to you.
So where did this band come from then? Dreaming In Stereo is the brainchild of Fernando Perdomo, the accolade-laden lead guitarist for the eclectic modern rock super-group Transcendence. The band`s self-titled debut album, Dreaming In Stereo, reveals Perdomo as a multi-talented singer/songwriter - along with being one of the most revered and innovative guitarists and multi-instrumentalist in the alt-rock radio world. Perdomo is also a highly in-demand session musician and the Dreaming In Stereo project helps him make music that more personally defines who he is. It`s a happy marriage of Power Pop and catchy 70s era Art Rock. In fact, Dreaming In Stereo defines their music as `Progressive Pop`. The album features eleven instantly classic tunes with the addition of some wildly creative and frenetic guitar playing woven through them that can either take your breath away or get you up out of your chair. It is easy to get under your skin and nearly impossible to get out of your head.
" Dreaming In Stereo features breezy songs infused by laid-back melodies and harmonies, manipulating the sounds of the guitar among several other instruments. On a lazy Sunday, it`s the one album you`d choose to listen to from among the rest in your music collection. The entire compilation even seems movie-soundtrack appropriate. Perhaps the movie producers should give this record a listen." - CBS4.com.
Todd Rundgren is the Number 1 musical inspiration of Dreaming in Stereo`s leader, Fernando Perdomo. Rundgren`s template to the style of music Dreaming in Stereo is looking to bring back-- Progressive Pop!!
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CITYLINK MAGAZINE COVER STORY!!
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It never ceases to amaze how the ocean can take a jagged piece of a broken beer bottle left on a bea...It never ceases to amaze how the ocean can take a jagged piece of a broken beer bottle left on a beach, tumble it around for a good long while, and return it to shore as a piece of smooth, frosty, gorgeous sea glass that someone will want to put in their pocket and keep forever.
That’s how songwriting seems to work for Fernando Perdomo, a Miami singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer who recently began creating music under the name the Dreaming in Stereo. Perdomo churns sharp, painful and sometimes ugly truths about things such as relationships, addiction and the music business, into laid-back, swirly guitared, poppy orchestrations worthy of downloading to an iPod and hearing again and again. “I gotta tell you, 90 percent of the record was written as frustration pieces,” Perdomo says of “Dreaming in Stereo,” the CD he released in July.
He had plenty to be frustrated about, too, including devastation about his 2007 departure from Price, a Miami Beach band that had just signed to Geffen. As a guitarist without songwriting credits in the band, Perdomo would have made little money and been required to move to Los Angeles, which meant abandoning his role as bassist/musical director for local singer-songwriter Hilary McRae.
Instead, Perdomo stayed, and McRae became the first emerging artist signed to the Starbucks/Hear Music label. Unfortunately, her “Through The Walls” CD was released in mid-2008, just as Starbucks scaled back its musical offerings and turned its share of management reigns for the label over to partner Concord Music Group, where CDs didn’t get the promotion some artists planned. Perdomo says the deal became “just another Miami almost-sure thing that went to crap.”
Perdomo could sob over shattered dreams, but instead, he poured his emotions into the 11 songs that compose “Dreaming in Stereo.” “Basically it’s the ballad of a pirate,” Perdomo explains. “Both of his sure things sunk and now he’s on his own in a small boat, but with amazing aspirations.”
The album, which opens with the piano-driven instrumental “Sea Dreams,” also includes “Half-Dead,” which Perdomo wrote after getting off the McRae tour in July 2008, and the similarly themed, and delightfully sarcastic, “Steal This Song,” prompted by his anger over McRae’s album being leaked before it’s release, something he cites as “another thing that killed the record.” But “Dreaming in Stereo” isn’t just about Perdomo’s musical frustrations. “Misery Loves Companies,” which Perdomo says was inspired by a pill-addicted ex, is about “America’s obsessions with pills and drinking and the man shoving all that stuff down our throats.” “Lazy,” dreams of a lazy day in bed with the person one loves, while “Smile” suggests smiling, even if it hurts.
While “Steal this Song” may be the most popular, it’s “I’m Not Gonna Move to L.A.,” an equally sarcastic tune about the perils of being a musician in Miami, that locals most love.
Miami and music, after all, are what Perdomo knows best. He’s been collecting albums (as many as 5,000) and quirky musical instruments (such as marching drums and theramins) for years, and began sneaking into Miami bars to perform when he was a “very hairy 17-year-old.” He’s played in local bands Transcendence, Sixo and The Avenging Lawnmowers of Justice, scored films and produced albums for artists such as Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Jorge Moreno, bilingual pop singer Lizette Santana and ’70s musician Andy Pratt.
Perdomo says he’s played second fiddle on a lot of projects, but that Dreaming in Stereo is his baby.
He may have ventured into Dreaming in Stereo as a pirate on a small boat, but Perdomo now has a full crew that includes Eddie Zyne, who drummed for Hall and Oates in the ’70s and toured with the Monkees; recent Miami Beach Senior High School rock ensemble program grad Giuseppe Rodriguez; keyboardist and backup vocalist Marisol Garcia; and Dave Torre, who plays viola and acoustic guitar and sings backup vocals.
Despite all the people aboard, this vessel shows no signs of sinking. Dreaming in Stereo recently played the International Pop Overthrow music festival in New York City, the Anti-Pop festival in Orlando and has been booking loads of South Florida gigs. Perdomo says the album has been added to the playlists of 96 college radio stations nationwide and is charting on 30 of those stations.
The band has also opened for Todd Rundgren, Leon Russell and Larry Hoppen of Orleans. “We would love to open for more older acts,” Perdomo says. “That’s our way of giving back.”
— Colleen Dougher
Dreaming in Stereo will perform 8 p.m. Sunday at Kitchen 305 at Newport Beachside Hotel, 16701 Collins Ave., in North Miami Beach. Call 305-949-1300 or visit Myspace.com/kitchen305. The group then hits the Miami Music Festival, a showcase held Dec. 10-12 on 25 stages in clubs, hotels and restaurants throughout the Brickell area of downtown Miami. Visit Miamimusicfestival.org.
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KEYBOARD MAGAZINE NOV 2009
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Guitarist, bassist, Theremenist, keyboardist, drummer, producer, arranger, engineer, singer, and son...Guitarist, bassist, Theremenist, keyboardist, drummer, producer, arranger, engineer, singer, and songwriter Fernando Perdomo is clearly a musical multi-threat — and thus his new album Dreaming in Stereo is an almost entirely self-made affair. Chock full of vintage keyboards and ’70s-inspired melodies, Perdomo describes his progressive pop as “Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Todd Rundgren and Aimee Mann.”
Inspired as a kid by Paul McCartney and his mother’s Michel Legrand records, Perdomo played the family’s Story and Clark upright and eventually got a Yamaha PSR keyboard, which he says had a great Rhodes sound. His mother was classically trained on piano so she soon got him lessons, though he switched to playing guitar. Once Perdomo realized that McCartney played piano too, though, he quickly got back into the instrument.
Nowadays, Perdomo plays mostly by ear, though he can sight-read a little. His practice regimen is as follows: “Wake up, turn on coffee machine, sit at piano. It’s always the piano because then I don’t have to look for a pick or tune up. It’s too early for tedium!”
Though he still cites the Beatles and Rundgren as a main influence, Perdomo is also inspired by all the Jellyfish guys, especially Jon Brion, plus Kate Bush, Aimee Mann and Pete Sinfeld (of King Crimson fame).
Webpage: dreaminginstereo.net
Recording process for new album Dreaming in Stereo: I commenced shortly after leaving a band that got signed in L.A. I went back home and started the process of recording alone in my studio and other studios. A handful of tracks date back to 2006; the rest were recorded from 2008 to 2009. The album is half piano and half guitar tunes. I recorded most of the instruments because I hate arguing in studios and I don’t usually get pissed at myself. Unless I’m cutting vocals; then I’ll get all Phil Spector, Ike Turner, and Murry Wilson on my ass!
Favorite keyboards on stage and in the studio: My fave keyboards are the Wurlitzer 200A and the Roland XP-50 with the vintage cards. That’s the sound of Dreaming in Stereo, so that’s what is being used live. The Wurlitzer is the first thing you hear on “Steal this Song,” “I’m Not Gonna Move to L.A.,” and “Half Dead.” I distort it, phase it, delay it, and it always sounds phat. The XP-50 is awesome for the Mellotron, Moog, and organ sounds. I found out the Cardigans used that same keyboard on tour and in the studio. This sold me! I want to get a Nord Electro to take on the road instead of the Wurly; they nailed it with that one. I’ve also become obsessed with keyboard apps for my iPod Touch. I use MiniPiano, Ellatron, and MiniSynth. They sound awesome and they represent the future, in my opinion.
Selected influential records growing up: All Todd Rundgren and all Beatles; Kate Bush’s The Kick Inside; King Crimson’s Court of the Crimson King; the Cardigans’ Life; Wings’ Wings over America; Tori Amos’ Songs from the Choirgirl Hotel; Genesis’ Trespass; Eddie Jobson’s The Green Album.
Favorite keyboard works: Erik Satie’s Trois Gymnopedies, Fred Lipsius’ “A Look to My Heart” (Blood Sweat and Tears), and Eddie Jobson’s “Prelude” from The Green Album.
Biggest gear disaster: I’ve been lucky. The biggest thing that I have to battle with is DJs in Miami. A DJ tried to run us off stage at our own CD release party. Another night we couldn’t play “Smile” because a DJ was playing in the other room of the club and that song is too pretty and acoustic to play with the boom boom boom going.
Words of wisdom: Go to thrift stores and flea markets and buy as many records as possible. You may acquire some sick gear in the process!
Top guilty pleasures: Major seventh chords, the music of The Price is Right TV show, the first Spyro Gyra album, and Gino Vannelli.
Favorite artist we’ve probably never heard of: Salem Al Fakir of Sweden, who is like Todd Rundgren meets Stevie Wonder meets Prince. Also Diane Birch — Carole King meets Daryl Hall — and Curved Air.
Best gig experience: Opening for Todd Rundgren solo earlier this year. I played for people that understood the music and I got to meet and talk shop with my idol. Todd is the man!
Most underrated keyboard players: Linda McCartney, Daryl Hall, Roger Manning, and the most underrated Gayle Moran — she had to replace Jan Hammer in Mahavishnu!
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Review Of Dreaming in Stereo 2 by The Big Takeover
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On 2, this Miami Beach five-piece offer up more meticulously-crafted, lavish, and occasionally weigh...On 2, this Miami Beach five-piece offer up more meticulously-crafted, lavish, and occasionally weighty guitar rock that distinguished their 2009 self-titled debut. Each deliberately-paced tune is adorned with ‘60s/70s-influenced symphonic touches (courtesy Dave Torre’s swelling, ELO-esque strings) and topped off with Fernando Perdomo’s comforting, sighing croon. The LP’s first half contains its catchiest pop melodies, like “The Traveler” and “Gonna Sleep Until Tomorrow”, before giving way to a quieter, more introspective midsection. It concludes with four smashing atmospheric numbers: the slow-building, surging “Part of Your Life”, the showstopping “Saturday Song” (featuring pianist Marisol Garcia’s utterly captivating, soulful lead vocal), the vivacious, uplifting “Music All Around Me (Dudley Moore’s Last Words)”, and the sweeping heartbreaker “Summer is Gone”. Throughout, Perdomo’s keen Todd Rundgren/Jellyfish-inspired pop sense always keeps 2’s elaborate-sounding arrangements feeling down-to-earth and inviting. (forwardmotionrecords.com)
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Feature from Direct Current Music DEC 2012
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Miami-based singer/songwriter/musician Fernando Perdomo has worked his way up the studio ladder, bec...Miami-based singer/songwriter/musician Fernando Perdomo has worked his way up the studio ladder, becoming an in-demand session player on the local music scene before deciding to focus on his own songwriting and recording. Produced by Grammy-nominee Chris Rodriguez, the songs on Perdomo’s solo EP, Home Is Wherever You Are (Rosemine Group), are both inspiring and beautiful, a blend of deceptively simple acoustic guitar-based compositions accompanied by symphonic splendor and wrapped around lyrics that offer hope in an uncertain world. Comparable at times to Paul Buckmaster's dramatic arrangements on Elton John's early works, songs like “Smile” and “Home” are rich with lush orchestral backing, lending a theatrical backdrop to Perdomo's heartfelt lyrics.
supersonic
