NAS 10 Questions with Reunion Station

This time, we get to know Reunion Station, a three-piece rock band based in Toronto, Canada.

The band is made up of 3 members. Dan Allen, guitar, keyboards and vocals, Chris Dumas, guitar, keyboards and vocals and Dave Slauenwhite, bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals and production.

The track “One Way To Love” is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.

Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:

https://www.newartistspotlight.org/playlists 

1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.

We hail from Newmarket, Ontario Canada. Located north of Toronto. We get together on a weekly basis to write and record original music. We are putting the finishing touches on a new album which will be released mid 2024.

2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?

Dave: I have always loved music from as far back as I can remember. Before I knew how to play my friends were forming a band and said “we need a bass player” and I said “I can do that”, and that’s why I play the bass.

Dan: The moment I heard “American Woman” by the Guess Who. The sound I heard through the speakers gave me a sense of excitement and purpose.

Chris: Goes back to those close friendships – sharing the creative music process – finding new ways to express songs that have their own voice and hopefully touch others.

𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?

Dave: I love progressive rock although that is not the kind of music I write. As a bass player I am influenced by Rush, Yes and Dream Theatre. I also like Kansas, Crowded House, LRB and Toto.

Dan: All early rock’in roll. The Beatles, The Guess Who, and anything with harmony and melody.

Chris: There are many that have influenced my musical journey – Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Don McLean, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Klaatu, Rush, Bread, America, April Wine… and so many more.

4. What are your goals in the music industry?

Dave: As far as playing live in front on an audience, we have already been there and done that. We’ve played hundreds of gigs and had a great time doing it. Our drummer wrecked his back from all those years of playing so he can no longer play. Our last few years of playing he would pop pain killers before going on stage. He still gave a great performance, but it was hard on him so we decided to end the live shows. Now we are focusing on writing and recording music in our studio. Our goal is to record all the songs we have written over the years plus anything new we come up with. If people other than us like the music, that’s a bonus.

Dan: Just to make the best music I can and have fun doing it.

Chris: To keep writing, creating and exploring new ways to express and give life to new tunes.

“Like what you do, and always, always have fun doing it.”

5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.

Dave: For me creation of a song typically begins with a riff. Lyrics usually come later. We have been having a great time experimenting with tunings. We challenge each other to create songs in open tunings. My guitars are currently tuned to: Standard, G, E and Nashville.

Dan: Usually I start noodling with chords until they direct me. It’s like an out of body experience.

Chris: The lyrics come from a situation, a feeling, a hope or a dream. The music comes from how best to express those lyrics – the mood, the energy, the beat.

6. What is your all-time favorite song?

Dave: If there was I song that I wished that I had written, it would have to be “Message To My Girl” by Split Enz Dan: I have several for different reasons, but American Woman (The Guess Who) was like a wake up call to pay close attention. I was never the same after. Chris: Too many to select just one. I could start with Dream On, Time in a Bottle, Taxi, Vincent, YYZ, If, Sister Golden Hair and just keep going.

7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music? 

Dave: All your songs are written for an audience of one. That is you. You are the only one you need to please. If you are happy with the music that you are creating, that is all that matters.

Dan: Like what you do, and always, always have fun doing it.

Chris: Don’t stop – there is always more to tell

8. Proudest accomplishment?

Dave: Playing in front of huge crowds and watching people dance to our music. Headlining Canada Day 10 years in a row and headlining New Years Eve outdoors in the town square.

Dan: Playing outdoor summer concerts in my home town.

Chris: Still creating new music with my friends after 48 years

9. Just for fun! What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far?

Dave: We were lucky enough to know the sound man for Kim Mitchell and Coney Hatch (popular Canadian rock bands). We were doing a Thursday, Friday, Saturday at a local bar and were setting up our gear. Full PA stacks on both sides of the stage. I set up my bass amp and the power plugs near me were full. I needed to plug into something so I unplugged one. I heard a loud POP. It was the PA power amps. I had just blown the rack of tweeters on both sides. Joel (sound guy) was livid. We had a couple hours before going on stage. He managed to get new tweeters just in time for the show and due to the cost of replacing the tweeters, we made $0 for the weekend.

Dan: I’m not easily embarrassed.

Chris: During a live gig, we were playing Can’t By Me Love by The Beatles. “Can’t Buy Me” is just me and the band comes in on “Love” I have to figure out the note in my head before the song starts and unfortunately I was in the wrong key – had to adjust pretty quick to bring it back. Fortunately this only happened once.

𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.

Dave: I would say this was more of a disappointment for an opportunity lost. We had a rehearsal space near a pool hall. After our rehearsal, we would often go there to unwind. We told the lady that ran the place that we were playing the upcoming weekend at our local bar. She said, that’s great, I will tell my friend Bob Ezrin (producer of Pink Floyd’s huge album The Wall as well as Aerosmith, Deep Purple etc) to come out and hear you. We said, “That would be great” and walked away saying “yah right, no way she knows him” That Friday night we did the show and soon as we got off the stage, the owner of the local music store came up to us and said, “What was Bob Ezrin doing here?” I said, “Bob Ezrin was here !!!” Where did he sit? “At this table at the back,” he says. We were so disappointed we didn’t get a chance to speak to him. He was at the recording studio across the street doing demos for Kiss and dropped in.

Dan: Lowest point is the passing of our dear friend and guitar player Phil. After a gig when we were loading our gear into our rehearsal space, he told us he could no longer play in the band. We were shocked when he revealed he had brain cancer and it was affecting his ability to play the guitar. He was such a skilled guitar player.

Highest point is the song my Grandchildren inspired. It is called “Precious Child” and will be released on our next album.

Chris: Having friends that I played music with die too early in life. Being blessed with creating new music with Reunion Station.

Stream “One Way To Love” now

https://open.spotify.com/track/4pEhH9GDBoitrlnyVIi9LO?si=abcfb401e6144f3e

and follow their socials

https://twitter.com/ReunionStationB

https://linktr.ee/reunionstation

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