Dreaming while Awake

"Dreaming While Awake" (DWA) is a rising multi-genre artist based out of the Bay Area, California

Discover espen skaar's "Dreaming While Awake" music

What is "Dreaming While Awake"?

Dreaming While Awake is a genre-bending musical artist and project led by prolific bassist and producer Espen Skaar, hailing from San Francisco, California. Blurring the lines between funk, electro, darkwave, classical, jazz, and synth-driven rock, the band crafts a sonic landscape that feels both futuristic and nostalgic—like stepping into a dream you don’t want to wake up from. The music brings about deep vibes from a distance past - at the edge of a dream...

With over 30 years of experience, Espen Skaar has built a reputation as a boundary-pushing musician, collaborating with a wide range of artists and constantly evolving his unmistakably distinct sound. Dreaming While Awake is the culmination of his deep musical exploration from a lifetime as a sf jazz musician, fusing intricate basslines, hypnotic synths, and evocative storytelling. The project has gained significant momentum, amassing over 100,000 social media followers and a growing international fanbase, particularly in South America.

Known for an unparalleled work ethic, Espen Skaar releases two to three songs per month, making Dreaming While Awake a dynamic force in the indie music scene. Each track is an invitation into a different world completely free from conventional genre buckets, whether it’s the dark acid-bass grooves of “Galleon”, the haunting electro energy of “Always Waiting”, or the playful, jazz-infused electronic stylings of “Duck Pond”.

Every song is a sonic adventure, often inspired by real-life experiences and childhood dreams. “The Watchman,” a collaboration with German singer Xian3, brings an ironic and dreamy take on a Hamburg train station, while “5th Street” channels Skaar’s past projects and a passion for funky synthwave. His music weaves together personal stories, surreal dream imagery, and deep instrumental textures, making each release feel intimate yet expansive.

Dreaming While Awake thrives on collaboration and unafraid originality, featuring a diverse lineup of vocalists and instrumentalists. Bob Smith’s searing funk guitar on “Memorial Day,” Tony Venuto’s commanding rock vocals on “Rock Empire,” and Emma Aviles’ folk-pop sensibilities in their oceanic ballad are just a few examples of the band's broad sonic reach. Skaar’s ability to seamlessly integrate different artists into his ever-evolving sound keeps Dreaming While Awake fresh, unpredictable, and always moving forward.

With an unstoppable creative drive, a dedicated fanbase, and a deep love for musical innovation, Dreaming While Awake isn’t just a band—it’s a multi-genre experience. Whether you’re here for the funk, the darkwave synths, or the immersive storytelling, one thing is certain: this dream is just getting started.

Where can I listen?

Listen to "Dreaming While Awake" on Spotify, Apple Music, IHeart Radio, Tidal Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, YouTube Music, and all major streaming platforms worldwide.

Where can I keep up?

Come visit our "Dreaming While Awake Music" Instagram Channel for daily activity, Espen interacts with his followers every day on there. Join our email list below so we can email you about new releases, shows, and behind the scenes songs and video content.

About

Bass Playing mixed with midi getting great tone from electronic buses patched through sidechained fx

Electronic Music for the San Francisco Dance Scene

Espen Skaar who leads "Dreaming While Awake" is a programmer, cybersecurity expert, and jazz bass player from San Rafael, California (graduated from San Rafael as an original 420 founding member). He started releasing his music 3 years ago after realizing life is short (and nearly dying from alcoholism) and his music needed to come out along with love and gratitude after learning to live life without a drink. Right now Espen is releasing hundreds of songs getting practice as a new producer and priming the social media algorithms. His timeline to break is somewhere mid 2025. He is looking to work with new vocalists, instrumentalists, and visionaries.

JazzTronica, TripHop, ElectroJazz, Electronica, Synthwave,

Synthbass, Jazz Fusion, Latin Fusion, Electro, NuDisco, Disco, Phonk, Synthpop, Darkwave

Dreaming While Awake is from Marin County, California

Marin County Jazz Fusion, Marin County Jazz, Marin County Electronic Music

Northern California Indie Electronica, Electronic Music Production

Soundcloud Artist, Spotify Artist, Spotify Playlist Curator

Songwriter, Synth Bass Player, Bassist

Fender Precision Bass Player

Underground Electronica

Synthwave

Upcoming Electronica Musicians

Upcoming California Electronica Musicians

CyberPunk

IndieTronic Retrowave

Synth Bassist

Dreaming while Awake