Eric Simpson and Don Stagg

The Timeless Legacy of Don Stagg and Eric Simpson: Pioneers of Sonic Exploration

In the realm of Canadian music history, few collaborations have captured the imagination quite like those of Don Stagg and Eric Simpson. Spanning decades, their artistic partnership has given rise to some of the most innovative and emotionally resonant projects in progressive rock and experimental electronic music.

In the late 1970s, Stagg and Simpson joined forces on groundbreaking projects such as Majik, 7th Temple, and Drama, where they explored complex instrumentation and pioneering electronic sounds. Their creativity found another peak in the mid-1990s with Within Gothic Towers, an atmospheric and deeply evocative recording that cemented their shared reputation for pushing artistic boundaries.

Simpson continued his journey with Glamorcult, formed in the early 1980s as a natural evolution from his experimental electronic group Drama. This project aimed to combine rhythm-oriented electronic music with ambient and instrumental pieces. Over the years, Glamorcult became a recognized name in underground music, with their releases celebrated as rare collector’s items for their innovative textures and timeless appeal.

Meanwhile, Don Stagg expanded his horizons as the creative force behind Dream Aria, a band that defies categorization. Partnering with Ann Burstyn, an extraordinary vocalist with a four-octave mezzo-soprano range, Stagg helped shape Dream Aria into a progressive rock phenomenon. Known for blending genres as diverse as gothic, ambient, world music, and electro-pop, the band’s music resonates deeply with fans of innovative female-fronted acts like Magenta and Mostly Autumn.

Dream Aria’s debut album, In The Wake (2005), set the tone with its eclectic style and was met with critical acclaim. They followed this success with Transcend in 2008 and the conceptual masterpiece Fallen Angel in 2011. These albums showcase Stagg’s genius as a composer, weaving lush keyboard arrangements with dynamic guitar riffs and intricate rhythms. Tracks like “Gypsy Heart” and “Winter Storm” highlight Burstyn’s ability to glide effortlessly between delicate whispers and soaring operatic heights, creating an emotional landscape that captures listeners worldwide.

The band’s achievements have been celebrated globally, topping ReverbNation’s overall chart and MySpace’s Canadian rock chart, with a steadily growing fanbase of hundreds of thousands. Their work has been described as “a rich tapestry of exciting audio entertainment,” and their albums, praised for their layered complexity, are cherished by fans and critics alike.

A Collaboration That Shaped Canadian Music
The synergy between Don Stagg and Eric Simpson remains a cornerstone of their shared legacy. While Simpson’s work with Glamorcult laid the groundwork for modern electronic experimentation, Stagg’s contributions to Dream Aria elevated progressive rock to new heights. Both artists share a vision of breaking musical boundaries, crafting soundscapes that are as unpredictable as they are captivating.

Many of their works, including Within Gothic Towers, Dream Aria, and Glamorcult releases, are curated by Citizenfreak, preserving their legacy for future generations.

An Artistic Philosophy That Endures
At the core of Don Stagg and Eric Simpson’s work is an unrelenting pursuit of artistic freedom. Their projects are invitations to explore uncharted musical territory, where the lines between genres blur and emotions take center stage. For listeners seeking music that challenges conventions and celebrates creativity, the legacy of Stagg and Simpson offers an unforgettable journey.

From the gothic towers of their early work to the transcendent realms of Dream Aria, these visionaries have redefined what it means to create music that inspires and endures.
-Robert Williston

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Glamorcult - Forever Strangers (picture sleeve)

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Glamorcult - Tropical Romance (picture sleeve)

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7th Temple - Under the Burning Sun

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Majik - Five Years b/w Hermits Tales

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Drama - Loneliness

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Drama - Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)

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Drama - Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)

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Drama - Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)

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Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)

45 glamour cult tropical romance

Would it be Over (picture sleeve)

45 glamour cult forever strangers

Forever Strangers (picture sleeve)

45 majik five years

Five Years b/w Hermits Tales

Tracks

Artist Track Title
Glamorcult Table Thirty Early Glamour
VIIth Temple The Dream The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria The Illusionist Fallen Angel
Glamorcult Time Is Running Out Shadows From The Past
Glamorcult Interlude Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Tigress Transcend
Glamorcult Cry Shadows From The Past
Glamorcult Past Glory (Stone Version) The Stone Sessions
Within Gothic Towers I've Got A Reason And You've Got A Prayer Within Gothic Towers
Dream Aria The Rhythm of Now Transcend
Drama Jungle Chant Loneliness
VIIth Temple In My Mind The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria The Perfect Storm Out of the Void
Glamorcult Crestfallen A Price To Paris
Dream Aria He Touched My Soul In the Wake
Dream Aria Pandora's Box Transcend
Within Gothic Towers In My Hour Of Despair Within Gothic Towers
Glamorcult Images of Monlight Early Glamour
VIIth Temple Memories From Far Away The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult Loneliness (Instrumental) Early Glamour
VIIth Temple Have You Ever Wondered The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult The Light We Will Hold A Price To Paris
Glamorcult Lonely Faces The Stone Sessions
Glamorcult Silent Reflection A Price To Paris
Dream Aria Uninvited Guest On The Other Side
Glamorcult Live For Today Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Glamorcult If Only You Knew Early Glamour
Drama Anna King (Demo) Loneliness
Within Gothic Towers Fanfare To Flight Within Gothic Towers
Glamorcult Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets/ A Dream Girl To Me // Anna King/ Interlude
Dream Aria Queen of Make Believe On The Other Side
VIIth Temple The Reason For The Fall The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult She Doesn't Believe In The Magic The Stone Sessions
Drama Feable Loneliness
Majik Five Years Five Years b/w Hermits Tales
Glamorcult Yes, See Has the Afterglow Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Glamorcult Would It Be Over Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
VIIth Temple Ten Years Left In This World The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria Fairy Dust Out of the Void
VIIth Temple Lost In A Daze The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult Shadows From The Past Shadows From The Past
VIIth Temple Under The Burning Sun 2011 The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria Transcend Transcend
Drama Space Age Punks Loneliness
Drama Fusion (previously unreleased) Loneliness
Drama Come On Over (Alt Version) Loneliness
Drama Human Question Loneliness
Drama Interlude (Demo) Loneliness
Glamorcult Manhattan Sunrise Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Sungoddess In the Wake
Glamorcult Distant Memories The Stone Sessions
Glamorcult Time Will Pass On By Shadows From The Past
VIIth Temple See the Light Under the Burning Sun
Glamorcult Hope For Change To Come Shadows From The Past
Glamorcult On The Line Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Glamorcult This Is Our Story The Stone Sessions
Glamorcult Would it be Over Would it be Over (picture sleeve)
Dream Aria Snapshot In the Wake
Glamorcult The Basis of Our Style Early Glamour
Glamorcult I Will Still Be There The Stone Sessions
Glamorcult As I Breathe on The TTC Shadows From The Past
Dream Aria Labyrinth Transcend
Dream Aria The Professor Out of the Void
Dream Aria Raindrops In the Wake
Glamorcult Anna King Tokyo Streets/ A Dream Girl To Me // Anna King/ Interlude
Dream Aria Opus Dei In the Wake
Dream Aria Out of the Void Out of the Void
Dream Aria Out of the Void Out of the Void
Glamorcult After the Battle Early Glamour
Drama Feable (Demo) Loneliness
Dream Aria Fallen Angel Fallen Angel
Glamorcult A Price to Paris A Price To Paris
Majik Hermits Tales Five Years b/w Hermits Tales
Dream Aria Black Mirror On The Other Side
Drama Got to Get off the Earth Loneliness
Glamorcult Afterglow Forever Strangers (picture sleeve)
Glamorcult Mine Is The Maiden The Stone Sessions
Dream Aria Compassion Transcend
Drama Old Hollywood Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)
Drama You Are The Special One (previously unreleased) Loneliness
Glamorcult All Those Lies The Stone Sessions
Dream Aria A Song of Hope Out of the Void
Glamorcult Follow the Shadow Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Promise In the Wake
Glamorcult S.O.S. Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Essence Out of the Void
Glamorcult Past Glory Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Abstract Relations Fallen Angel
Dream Aria The Secret Transcend
Drama A Kiss Without Lust Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)
Glamorcult The Fight Is Over Shadows From The Past
Drama Electronic Pink Panther Loneliness
Dream Aria Essence Out of the Void
Dream Aria 11th Nour In the Wake
Dream Aria Towards the Sun On The Other Side
Drama Anna King Loneliness
VIIth Temple A New Day Will Dawn The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
VIIth Temple America Is On The Run The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult Shadows of Regret A Price To Paris
Glamorcult Tropical Romance (Stone Version) The Stone Sessions

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