Watch Video For Killingback Woods And Read Our Interview With The Stage Of Dreams Vocalists
Bobby Caughron 
XS ROCK: Tell me about the latest band news. Any new projects coming out, live shows, or announcements?
Daniel: We just released a brand-new music video for our song Killingback Woods. Filmed and directed by William Victor Schotten, we really went the extra mile to create a professional cinematic piece.
We are very excited to be performing on a region level, from Youngstown, Ohio to Akron and Even Cleveland and Columbus. Hopefully, soon we will be allowed to talk about an international date we have set for the summer of 2025.
XS ROCK: So how long has the band been together?
Daniel: The Metal version of The Stage of Dreams has been together since 2019.
XS ROCK: What was your main motivation for originally starting or being in a band?
Janelle: I am an artist who wants to paint stories in song! I love singing, it is a part of me that I wish to share.
XS ROCK: What is your music background?
Janelle: I’ve been singing in bands for a little over 15 years, mostly in various cover bands. I have also lent my vocals in the past on some of my friends’ albums.
XS ROCK: What image do you think your music conveys?
Janelle: Dark, theatrical heavy metal
XS ROCK: What are your current music career goals?
Janelle: To keep growing as a singer and to reach a larger audience. I want to sing and perform as much and as often as I can. To keep writing music and making albums and maybe make another music video!
XS ROCK: Which do you prefer? Writing new songs and recording or playing for a live audience?
Janelle: I enjoy doing both!
Daniel: I too enjoy both though nothing beats performing live. That is were the ultimate excitement lives for me.
XS ROCK: What are your songs’ lyrics about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Daniel: For “The Duality Conflict” album the songs are written from the perspective of the different characters. It’s more of a horror fiction romance. The EP From “The Shadows They Strike” spans social issues to the love of heavy metal and we even honor an Inventor.
XS ROCK: What is the single most important thing to you as a musician?
Janelle: To be able to hopefully get a good message across and to keep people/fans believing in your art and supporting you in making your dreams a reality!
XS ROCK: Do you have any outrageous tour stories from the road? If so, please fill us in.
Daniel: I went on a small tour with one of my other bands and we drove from Cleveland to Brooklyn, NY. Driving through New Jersey and Brooklyn felt super stressful, the traffic was insane! It took us like 2 hours just to go 8 miles. It was cold we were miserable and when we pulled up to the club, it was closed. Very disappointing putting all the effort in to get there and looking forward to playing New York for the first time only to hang out on the sidewalk with the other 3 bands who also drove many hours to be there and try and figure out what the hell happened.
XS ROCK: What’s the strangest request that you’ve ever received from one of your fans?
Daniel: One of my fans wants me to sing three songs at her funeral. She has offered to pay me in advance but honestly, I’m not sure if I can bring myself to do it.
XS ROCK: Are your friends and family supportive of your choice to play in a rock band?
Janelle: Yes! Anyone who is or has been in my life knows that this is who I am. I have some very close friends who have been there since day 1. They have seen me evolve as a singer and were just as supportive then as they are now and I am so grateful for that!
XS ROCK: What advice do you have for new bands trying to get started?
Janelle: Don’t do this expecting fortune and fame as you will be sorely disappointed. Do it for the love of the art and the message you want to convey. Don’t be upset if you only have a few people show up to your gig, we’ve all been there!! Play to them as if the room was filled to the gills with people. You never know who will be in your audience.
XS ROCK: What are your favorite tracks to play live?
Janelle: I am partial to Dogs Of The Gods, Rooting for Ghost, Dragonfly and Waiting Here
Daniel: Killingback Woods is one of my favorites and is often our closing song also when we on occasion pull out Metal Rebellion, it’s a really good crowd participation song.
XS ROCK: Which band or artist inspired you to perform? Why?
Janelle: Judas Priest and Heart. Rob Halford and Ann Wilson’s vocals struck me instantly when I first heard them long ago! I am self-taught and I aspired to sound like them both, their vocal ranges were just out of this world to me and I’ve always been partial to power vocals!
XS ROCK: If you could design a dream tour for your band, who would be on the bill?
Janelle: Too many to list!
Daniel: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sister Sin, Primal Fear, The Stage of Dreams That would be a dream lineup for us!!
XS ROCK: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
Daniel: I’d say recording The Duality Conflict and not only writing the rock opera that accompanies it but actually performing it.
Janelle: Being a part of this band I have experienced a lot of “firsts”. First time recording in a professional studio, my first time singing on a full-length album, my first time performing in a rock opera, and my first time being in a music video!
XS ROCK: If you weren’t performing in a band what kind of career do you think you would have?
Daniel: I wish I were making a living as a full-time musical artist but unfortunately music may never pay my bills. So, I have a band and a job as an electrical designer.
Janelle: I’d prefer to have a full-time career in music as well…. Don’t ever give up on your dreams!
XS ROCK: What type of equipment do you use for live shows?
Daniel: We use our instruments and wireless microphones. At our Rock Opera Shows, we do have some sound effects triggered by our bass player but no musical backing tracks. We’re old-school authentic and can back up live what we put down in the recording studio.
We also have fine art backdrops and moving platforms for the Rock Opera Show.
XS ROCK: What do you think of the current music scene?
Daniel: On a local level I’m really glad to be a part of the underground scene. Everyone is very supportive and there’s a lot of undiscovered talent. These musicians do it for the love of metal.
Janelle: I second that!
XS ROCK: For anyone who doesn’t know you, what would they be surprised to know about you?
Janelle: I was a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator and for 9 years I worked exclusively with opossums! I adore them and will talk for hours about them if given the chance.
XS ROCK: Is there anything you’d like to promote or say to your fans?
Janelle: Thank you for supporting our music and please keep following us. We have a lot of exciting news coming up!
XS ROCK: Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at XS ROCK!
Janelle: Thank you for doing what you do to help musicians out!
Daniel: Yes, Thank you, it was our pleasure!
Current Band Member Line Up:
Daniel Butch: Vocals
Janelle Lawless: Vocals
Dion Pomponio: Guitar
Jim Carsone: Guitar
Chris Marriotti: Bass
Shaun McConnell: Drums
Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/thestageofdreams
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