One of the High Country’s least relatable sounds has a band ready to release new material and embark on a future beyond the Appalachian Mountains.
Dreaming In Color, a Boone metal act that associates their sound with the likes of their contemporaries, such as As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God and Killswitch Engage, released their debut EP earlier this year on the university associated record label Split Rail Records.
After deciding to leave Split Rail, DIC is hoping to reach a wider fan base outside of Boone based on the strength of their last release, “This Small Endeavor.”
“The EP was mostly well received,” guitarist Pat Tarpey said. “Having an EP out on iTunes that was mastered by Jamie King has definitely added to the ‘legitimacy’ of the band. His name goes a long way in the scene.”
The band has managed to assemble three new songs, despite only two members living in the same zip code.
“The next release is a three-track EP,” Tarpey said. “It will feature the newest songs we’ve written and give people an idea of the direction we will be taking when we begin writing for our first album. Progress has been steady, although maybe a little slow. We now have two members in Boone, two in Durham, and one in Charlotte so getting together for writing can a be a bit problematic.”
Vocalist Ben Dunlop, who is the other member residing in Boone, along with lead guitarist Gary Vinson, who resides in Boone, and is hopeful of the bands future.
“The album won’t be out for a good while but we hope that this EP will help hold people over and give them an idea of what we’re trying to do from a musical standpoint,” Dunlop said.
As far as shows go, the band has been steadily showing up at venues around the southeast, but mostly North Carolina.
“October 30, we’re playing at After Hours at UNC Charlotte,” Tarpey said. “We are also hosting a Halloween show at the band house on October 26.”
Sophomore psychology major Logan Mills plans on attending the latter event.
“In Raleigh, where I’m from, the metal scene was pretty intense, and it’s one thing that I miss,” Mills said. “I have been trying to find shows around Boone to go to, and I’m definitely going to be there for the Halloween show.”
As far as the notoriety given to DIC after the release of “This Small Endeavor,” Tarpey said the sales profits “allowed us to make our music video, which helped us gain a lot of new fans and the attention from well known metal blogs online.”
“It also helped us realize how we want to evolve our sound in the future,” he said. “We will be trying to play as many shows as we possibly can, with the ultimate goal of opening for some national acts.”
Story: WILL GREENE, A&E Reporter