Something To Believe In
Released May 2025
Biography
One-Liner (~30 words)
Awake & Dreaming have the sound and ambition of a generational alt-rock band. Delicate piano, arena-scale guitars, art-rock theatrics. Mixed by Jay Dufour (9× Juno). No label.
Industry Bio (~100 words)
Awake & Dreaming have the sound and ambition of a generational alt-rock band. Blending delicate piano with arena-scale guitars, electronic atmospheres, and art-rock theatrics, they've built a sound that pairs dystopian urgency with blockbuster spectacle. Their music evolves from the haunting minimalism of Old Ghosts to the raw fire of I U Me and the anthemic drive of Something To Believe In — always staying unmistakably Awake & Dreaming. Known for live shows with synchronized lighting, the four-piece mix elegance with grit, embracing both the epic and the deeply personal.
Sasha Kristoff on vocals and keys. Stefan Schneider on guitar. Phil Lee on bass. Ryan Dugal on drums. Mixed by Jay Dufour (9× Juno). Mastered by João Carvalho (Rush, Tragically Hip). 250K+ Spotify streams. 50+ live shows. Fifty-two press reviews and two Spill Magazine premieres from thirty-seven outlets across eleven countries. Featured on CBC (video feature and CBC Radio One The Morning Edition, September 2026). No label. Debut album Inevitable, October 16, 2026.
Full Bio (~250 words)
Awake & Dreaming have the sound and ambition of a generational alt-rock band. Blending delicate piano with arena-scale guitars, electronic atmospheres, and art-rock theatrics, they've built a sound that pairs dystopian urgency with blockbuster spectacle. Their music evolves from the haunting minimalism of Old Ghosts to the raw fire of I U Me and the anthemic drive of Something To Believe In — always staying unmistakably Awake & Dreaming.
Known for live shows with synchronized lighting they designed and run themselves, the four-piece mix elegance with grit. Sasha Kristoff commands the stage in sequined gowns while Stefan Schneider, Phil Lee, and Ryan Dugal build the storm behind her. UK press called them "flawlessly future-proof." Foxfire Magazine: "Making moments people will want to go back to."
In March 2026, the band opened three nights for Carole Pope across Ontario — including Rough Trade at El Mocambo in Toronto, one of the most storied venues in Canadian rock. LoudTO covered the set: "Alt-rock tunes filled with rebellion and hope. Sasha Kristoff's voice is at once ethereal and powerful." On October 8, 2026 they opened for Blue Rodeo at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, presented by The Concert Factory, in the closing week of The Inevitable Tour: ten headline dates across Ontario and Quebec, September 17 to October 10, ending at The Rivoli in Toronto. They've played the Canadian National Exhibition twice, The Delancey in New York City, and toured Ontario to NYC.
Mixed by Jay Dufour (9× Juno — July Talk, Finger Eleven, Billy Talent). Mastered by João Carvalho (Rush, Tragically Hip, Alexisonfire). 250K+ Spotify streams. 50+ shows. Fifty-two press reviews and two Spill Magazine premieres from thirty-seven outlets across eleven countries (UK, USA, Greece, Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico, France, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina). Featured on CBC in September 2026: a CBC video, Local band Awake & Dreaming to perform across Ontario and Quebec, and an in-studio interview on CBC Radio One's The Morning Edition (Kitchener-Waterloo). The band's music is in the CBC catalogue. No label. Debut album Inevitable released October 16, 2026.
Full Live Performance
Complete concert recording showcasing the band's dynamic stage presence, musicianship, and audience connection. This is what we bring to your stage.
Official Music Videos
All videos directed, filmed, and edited by Awake & Dreaming
Album and Singles
Debut album Inevitable is out now, released October 16, 2026. Ten tracks, including the singles Underwater (September 18) and Rewire (October 2).
LP
01
02
03
04
05
Something To Believe In
Released May 2025
06
I U Me
Released January 2025
07
Old Ghosts
Released July 2024
Press
Press Releases
Inevitable · Debut Album
“Rewire” · Single
“Underwater” · Single
“Cold Shoulder” · Single
“Antidote” · Single
“Something to Believe In” · New Mix
“I U Me” · Radio Re-Release
Radio and video
The four-piece Waterloo alt-rock band Awake & Dreaming is gearing up for a 10-show tour. The band, which pairs performances with synchronized lighting to bring notes to life, will perform across Ontario and Quebec starting Thursday until Oct. 10.
— CBC, Local band Awake & Dreaming to perform across Ontario and Quebec (video, 1:17, September 14, 2026). Also on MSN.
Waterloo alt-rock band Awake & Dreaming has played dozens of shows and festivals across the province. The four-piece band is known for its piano-driven verses that blend into walls of guitar and live shows paired with synchronized lighting that brings every note to life.
— CBC Radio One, The Morning Edition (Kitchener-Waterloo), in-studio interview with host Craig Norris, September 14, 2026 (7:26). The band's music is in the CBC catalogue.
Testimonials
Flawlessly future-proof… can hold its own against Keane, Muse, or The Cranberries at their best.
— AnalogueTrash (UK)
Alt-rock tunes filled with rebellion and hope. Sasha Kristoff's voice is at once ethereal and powerful.
— LoudTO — Awake & Dreaming opening for Rough Trade at El Mocambo
Making moments people will want to go back to… feels earned rather than forced.
A cohesive, emotionally resonant work… music that is both thoughtful and immediately impactful.
— Rockermag — on I U Me
Fine line between melody, soft sadness, and indie rock aesthetics… refined control of emotions.
— Skylight (Greece)
The chorus is where it really shines. ‘Give me something to believe in’ isn’t just a hook—it’s the kind of line that begs to be shouted back.
— Canadian Beats — on Something To Believe In
A triumph of indie rock storytelling… transforms the song into both a personal catharsis and an anthem of resilience.
— Rockermag — on Something To Believe In
Singing that feels like it could belong on a soul record and modern indie rock ideas… music for those kinds of people.
— Alt77
Ethereal alt-rock about drowning in the noise and still finding each other.
— Voxwave
A song that redefines the alt-rock genre. Impeccable guitars, powerful energy… smooth vocals with commercial flair. Flawless energy that hooks you instantly.
— SoundVille (Spain)
A hypnotic alt-rock track… both vulnerable and explosive—like a quiet confession turning into a widescreen catharsis. Lingers like a slow-burning spiral—intimate, unsettling, and hard to shake.
— Canadian Beats — on Antidote
Not the usual banal proposal — catchy, energetic riffs… a clear sign of Awake & Dreaming's versatility.
— SoundsGoodWebzine (Italy, translated)
They sound expensive because they bet on themselves before anybody else would.
Un chef-d'œuvre de clair-obscur, puissant et profondément organique.
— Radio Castor (France)
A gothic masterstroke of Canadian art-rock that bites back… far too ambitious for the constraints of a suburban basement. New architects of Canadian dark rock.
— The Gatekeeper Space — on Antidote
Cold Shoulder starts with a slow burn before erupting into an anthemic alt-rock release… tailor-made for a crowd to sing along.
— Canadian Beats — on Cold Shoulder
Un himno de rebelión y esperanza… defienden la alegría como forma de resistencia.
— IndieAM (Mexico) — on Cold Shoulder
Convierte la apatía en rebelión… pensado para cantar en colectivo. Ambition of Muse and the dramatic weight of modern alternative rock.
— Expansión Radial (Mexico) — on Cold Shoulder
Photos
High-resolution images available for download. Click any image to download.
Using the logo or the Inevitable cover? See the image use guidelines.
Notable Performances
50+ shows across Ontario and beyond (2023–2026)
| Venue/Festival | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, special guests for Blue Rodeo (arena; presented by The Concert Factory) | Owen Sound, ON | Oct 8, 2026 |
| The Inevitable Tour (ten headline dates: Windsor, Sarnia, Hamilton, Guelph, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Drummondville, London, The Rivoli in Toronto) | Ontario & Quebec | Sep 17 – Oct 10, 2026 |
| Under the Neon Palms at El Mocambo — Rough Trade with Carole Pope | Toronto, ON | Mar 28, 2026 |
| Meaford Hall — with Carole Pope | Meaford, ON | Mar 27, 2026 |
| Aeolian Hall — with Carole Pope | London, ON | Mar 25, 2026 |
| The Delancey | New York City, NY | Dec 9, 2025 |
| 2x Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) | Toronto, ON | Aug 21–22, 2024 |
| Horseshoe Tavern | Toronto, ON | Aug 2, 2025 |
| Mills Hardware | Hamilton, ON | Nov 14, 2025 |
| Rum Runners | London, ON | Nov 12, 2025 |
| Sneaky Dee's | Toronto, ON | Oct 2, 2025 |
| 2x Sonic Hall | Guelph, ON | Sep 18, 2025 |
| Road to Revelree | Sarnia, ON | May 2, 2026 |
| Maxwell's Concerts & Events | Waterloo, ON | Aug 24, 2024 |
| VENUExVENUE | London, ON | Nov 15, 2024 |
| 2x Railway City Music & Arts Festival | St. Thomas, ON | Aug 2024 / Aug 2025 |
| KW Multicultural Festival | Kitchener, ON | Jun 22, 2025 |
| 2x Guelph District Multicultural Festival | Guelph, ON | Jun 2024 / Jun 2025 |
| Brantford Beats & Eats | Brantford, ON | Aug 2, 2025 |
Technical Information
Stage Requirements
- Stage Size: Standard 4-piece band setup
- Load-In Time: 1 hour
- Backline: Band can bring all instruments
- Lighting: Band can bring complementary lighting to enhance show
- Sound: Standard PA system required. Band can provide if necessary
- Power: Standard stage power requirements
Band Configurations
- Full Band: 4-piece (vocals, guitar, bass, drums)
- Acoustic Duo: Sasha Kristoff & Stefan Schneider (vocals/piano/guitar)
Set Lengths Available
- 30 minutes
- 45 minutes
- 60 minutes
- 75 minutes
- 90 minutes
- 120 minutes
- 180 minutes
Full Technical Rider: Available upon request
Contact & Booking
Booking Inquiries
Email:
music.awake.and.dreaming@gmail.com
Based: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Touring: Available across Canada & US
Rates: Available upon request
Ready to Book?
We're available for festivals, venues, and special events across North America.
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