An Interview with Mandy's Dreaming

A recent EP release from Mandy's Dreaming delivers a flurry of pop and indie rock, all with this live performance aesthetic and feel, bringing a lot of colorful approaches but not without its edginess, and most of it carries with it this robust character and personality that you end up getting a bit attached to.

The self-titled EP starts with "NY Ur Getting Me Down", which has a bit of an easy-going flow to it and a crisp clean tone that lets you pay a lot of attention to those lyrics.

One of the things I dig about this track in particular is the guitars. The guitar work here is very flowing and has a great watery chorus-like effect to it that lets the whole thing feel a little bit dreamy.

It's got a catchy bop to it on the bass guitars, and the drumming is a little subtle so that the rest of the instruments could take center stage and give that drifting tonality.

As the song unfolds, you get some lead guitar work that really feels good to listen to, mainly based on melody but has some soul to it as well.

The song then opens up and starts bringing on a garage rock, grunge-toned thickness that feels dirtier, grittier, and heavier.

The energy of this fluctuates a little bit when this comes in, but I really loved it because it feels a bit explosive.

They still follow the core progression, but everything being heavier adds a different sort of texture to the song, and the aesthetic completely changes. This is something I enjoyed because I was expecting it, and I like songs that keep me on my toes like that.

This was a great song to introduce the record with because you're getting some of the best staples on the EP right here; however, listening to the full record is the only way to go.

There are more surprises around the corners of this release and if you listen to only one or two tracks, you're not getting anywhere near the full spectrum of what the EP has to offer.

For example, the second track, "Thin Walls", is an absolute banger, and this has a very different energy to it altogether. The guitars come in heavier with that crunchy distortion. You have a few layers going on to add that thickness in and give a little depth, and the vocals are really wild here.

This was awesome because the first track displayed vocals that were a bit calmer. Everything was slightly more drifting and delicate, even when it came to the heavier Parts, it wasn't over the top.

"Thin Walls" brings out a more aggressive approach and aesthetic.

I love how the drumming delivers this liveliness. It's in the pocket but also has a bit of electricity behind it, giving off intricate hits and keeping things excitable.

The vocals are absolutely belting here while the guitar is performing all this great stuff, and I love how energetic it comes through.

I think one of the main things about this release in general is that energy. It feels almost like they recorded it all live on the floor, and everyone involved with just feeding off each other the entire time.

I wasn't there, so of course I can't say, but it certainly feels like that.

Either way, listening to this record makes you want to see them perform it live, because if they can capture that kind of energy and aesthetic on record as well, then seeing them live must be awesome.

The most experimental and probably fun track on the record, in my opinion, is the third track, 'Buttercup", which really shines as a song that showcases the band's slightly psychedelic side.

The song definitely jams out, there's a lot of rides and crash cymbals going on, the guitars have a clean chorus effect to them, and the whole thing has a massive pop overcoat that makes things catchy and almost danceable.

This track also has great energy, but in a different sense.

The closing track, "O.K.", feels very warm. The whole first part of the song has an inviting kind of warmth to it that you can tell came from someplace real, and this makes everything feel more authentic, and again gives you more of that character or personality to grab onto.

This track also bursts into heavier, garage rock distortion and sound, but wait till the very end to do so.

It just goes to show that they have a particular kind of format for how they arrange their tracks and when they want things to get a bit gritty.

They have a natural knack for writing songs together, and I feel like that's where the passion lies. This band loves the craft of writing songs together.

Upon listening to the record, I knew I had to have a sit-down with the band to find out where all of this came from and what might be coming up next for them.

So, while you listen to the EP, have a read through of our interview with the band below.

Most importantly, don't forget where you heard it first.

Let's talk about the self-titled, Mandy's Dreaming EP! This had such a cool blend of dreamy,

indie-pop driven rock! Where did this record come from?

JR: This came out of two years of playing shows and polishing our songs and selecting which ones would ideally be on an EP. We know Xavier who runs Liquid Sounds where this was recorded, he offered us a discounted rate to record there so it just all came together at that point.

I'm hearing a few different approaches to this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

JR: For this EP I would say some Pavement, a lot of Dr. Dog, and a scattering of different 60's rock/pop.

Nate: Specifically on this EP I would say there's some Foo Fighters in there for me, some

Kara's Flowers especially on Buttercup. I know Mia drew a lot of inspiration from The Smiths in her bass lines.

Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

Nate: We recorded this at Liquid Sounds in Queens. I'd prefer to always support local recording studios.

How did this all start for you as a band?

JR: I was at a studio party in Bedstuy, Nate sat in on the drums while I was playing guitar and we both played so well together we decided to rent a space to jam and pretty soon after we were officially a band.

Are you performing live right now? 

Nate: We're taking December off to go over all of our new songs so that we can start fresh in 2026 with a well rehearsed setlist. We'll be playing all over New York in the new year.

Now that this is out, what's next for you?

Nate: We're hoping to go on tour in the summer for sure.

JR: We're also getting the new songs together for our next release. I'm also hoping to get a new quarter inch because mine's about to break.

Who's in all your headphones right now?

JR: Parquet Courts and The Teeth.

Nate: Big Thief, Great Grandpa, I got into a ton of Willie Nelson this year too.

What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

Nate: A damn fine time.

JR: A descent representation of how New York City feels to me.

Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?

Nate: This EP was made possible by contributions to your local bands from listeners like you. Thank you.

JR: Did Nate get the same set of questions as I did?

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