Reviews
“Dover Lights is steeped in a night-world of visions, travels, and dreams illuminated by the sound of impressionistic rock guitars and synthesizers. Each song tells a story, although the meanings are heavily encrypted in elements from the natural world and biblical imagery — with lyrics sharing in the traditions of romanticism and magical realism…” — Big Takeover Magazine, NYC
"A complex work, both musically and lyrically, difficult to classify but fascinating. The band... recognizes very diverse influences, from English sixties psychedelia... even industrial music." — El Garaje de Frank, France/Spain
“Already one of the top ten albums of the year.” — Frastuoni Magazine, Italy
“One of the best new bands in the Dark Alternative field.” — André Savetier (The Wave of Things), Slovakia
Obscura Undead’s video review of Dover Lights’ debut album:
“Poetic lyrics reflect a surreal stream of consciousness fusing past, present, and future seasons into a blueprint of lost identities found “weighted in history” of foreign lands.” — White Light//White Heat Magazine, Italy
“With only two singles released, Dover Lights have managed to catch my attention.”
— El Garaje de Frank, Spain/France
“Bound to send chills down your spine with every track you listen to.” — Essentially Pop, UK
“The record itself is streaked through with mystery and hidden meanings that encompass the natural world and human emotions.” — Stereo Embers Magazine
“Memory Dissolves is a spellbindingly poetic journey inward augmented by passionate vocals resonating over shivering guitar delays, sounding like if Peter Murphy were to front U2 over the icy soundscapes of the Irish Band’s third studio album War.”
— Post-punk.com, NYC
“Memory Dissolves isn’t just a single… it’s a full blown experience executed perfectly in a Post-Punk palate with nostalgic splashes of early Bowie, The Cure, and early U2.” — Obscura Undead
“With Three Women, Dover Lights weave an elegant and gossamer folk melody, that cascades slowly like the falling of leaves, evoking the mood and atmosphere of their distant mentors — notably Tears for Fears, The Jesus and Mary Chain, This Mortal Coil, Pearls Before Swine, and Nick Drake.” — Post-punk.com
"An alternate dimension of a familiar location with critical elements missing... where black sands fused by an atomic explosion lie next to togetherness and romantic resolve." — White Light/White Heat Magazine
Interviews
Post-punk.com Interview — “The Arkansas River Valley is admittedly an unusual haven for the gothically inclined, but Ozark Mountains-based art-rock duo, Dover Lights, continues to find inspiration in the mystical beauty of their homeland. Lyricist/composer Daniel Brinker, and producer/arranger Andy Moore discuss their creative collaboration in an interview with Post-Punk.com, as well as their self-titled debut album, Dover Lights, life as fish out of water in Arkansas, and their inspirations.”
Obscura Undead video interview:
Full transcript of the interview
Fan Interviews
Coralie Cole, a visual artist from Arizona, has created original artwork inspired by the Dover Lights songs Prisoners and Terrors of the Night. (Instagram | www.coraliecole.com) Scroll down for the interview.
The piece feels like walking through a corridor into a futuristic war — or a monochrome version of Blade Runner’s L.A. cityscape. We were caught off guard and honored that our music was able to inspire someone to create such intriguing and original artwork. I asked Coralie a few questions about the piece. The following is her response:
“Hello, I’m delighted to share some background about my artwork “Night Terrors/Prisoner” inspired Dover Lights’ debut album, released earlier this year. My visual piece is an homage to the articulated verse and dreamy, yet sinister harmonics found in the songs, “Terrors of the Night”, and “Prisoner”. These songs inspired my picture’s dream/nightmare scene of dread and vulnerability set in a war-torn urban setting. The images depicted in the sky are incoming and relentless; a visual pattern echoing the rhythmic beat of an invasion. The viewpoint of the audience is first-person - as someone left behind, watching the horizon fill with a sequence of inevitable, intrusive thoughts. Experiencing loss - whether through a broken relationship, death, or some other trauma will unleash thought-invasions and memories - especially at night when you are alone without distraction. This feeling resonates in “Terrors of the Night”, one I represented with a figure, faceless and imposing - a presence of memory which dominates one’s mind after abandonment.
I found this verse from “Terrors of the Night” described this loss and vulnerability.
“Don't leave me on my own
Don't leave me hanging, waiting here
Don't leave me on my own
Don't leave me hanging
Waiting on the terrors of night”
In spite of pleas, “The Terrors of the Night” will find you. The invasion will happen. That presence will dominate. Your cries will go unheard. You are vulnerable and left on your own to process loss and the aftermath of thoughts and memories.
Another lyric really inspired me as well for my artwork, this verse from the song, “Prisoners” and I combined them to create my final image.
“Empty streets from colder times Years after the occupation еnded There’s still a curfеw in their minds No soldier left here, stationed to enforce it Fixed upon the space where no one ever goes You reach out for warmth among the shadows”
The descriptive verse here builds a setting where the memory-invasion and loss dwell. We find ourselves wandering the dark and cold war-torn streets with self-imposed restrictions, self-punishing by denying freedom and happiness. No-one has enforced this darkness but ourselves, a world patrolled by memories echoing on the streets as we wander.
The lyrics in both songs combined with the dreamy complex tapestry of sound really moved me. I hope the viewer and listener can experience the connections created.
Thank you Dover Lights for giving me an opportunity to talk about my piece, I’ll continue to listen and be inspired! I for one can’t wait to hear what they will come up with next.
Coralie Cole
IG - @cubieosity
Website: Coraliecole.com
Night Terrors/Prisoner was rendered on 98lb mixed-media paper using pen and acrylic paint with a final digital enhancement using Infinite Painter.”
Thank you, Coralie. We are both moved and honored!
