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

Tracks

Artist Track Title
Drama The Movement (previously unreleased) Loneliness
Dream Aria Towards the Sun On The Other Side
Dream Aria The Illusionist Fallen Angel
Dream Aria Fairy Dust Out of the Void
Glamorcult Manhattan Sunrise Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Transcend Transcend
VIIth Temple Lost In A Daze The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Within Gothic Towers I've Got A Reason And You've Got A Prayer Within Gothic Towers
Dream Aria In the Wake - Body In the Wake
Dream Aria Bolero (Souls in Time) On The Other Side
Drama God Is a Machine Loneliness
Dream Aria Akasha (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) On The Other Side
Dream Aria Lingua Cosmica Out of the Void
Glamorcult Follow the Shadow Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Drama Come On Over (Alt Version) Loneliness
Glamorcult Shadows From The Past Shadows From The Past
Glamorcult Table Thirty Early Glamour
Glamorcult Would It Be Over Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria The Gift Fallen Angel
Glamorcult Crestfallen A Price To Paris
Glamorcult I Have Nothing To Say To You The Stone Sessions
Dream Aria Spanish Nights In the Wake
Glamorcult In Time (Only to be Free) Forever Strangers (picture sleeve)
Dream Aria 11th Nour In the Wake
Dream Aria Raindrops In the Wake
VIIth Temple See the Light Under the Burning Sun
Dream Aria Queen of Make Believe On The Other Side
Dream Aria Essence Out of the Void
Glamorcult Past Glory (Stone Version) The Stone Sessions
Glamorcult Holding Onto Yesterday Shadows From The Past
VIIth Temple America Is On The Run The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Drama Feable (Demo) Loneliness
Glamorcult Tokyo Streets Tokyo Streets/ A Dream Girl To Me // Anna King/ Interlude
Glamorcult Interlude Tokyo Streets/ A Dream Girl To Me // Anna King/ Interlude
Drama Human Question Loneliness
Glamorcult The Basis of Our Style Early Glamour
Drama Anna King (Demo) Loneliness
VIIth Temple Nothing Lost And Nothing Gained (Featuring Anne Burstyn) The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult After the Battle Early Glamour
Dream Aria Years Slip Away On The Other Side
Dream Aria Blue Lady In the Wake
Dream Aria The Professor Out of the Void
Glamorcult Past Glory Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Fairy Dust Out of the Void
Glamorcult Thing Of Beauty The Stone Sessions
Dream Aria He Touched My Soul In the Wake
Glamorcult As I Breathe on The TTC Shadows From The Past
Dream Aria Valhalla Out of the Void
Dream Aria Lingua Cosmica Out of the Void
Majik Hermits Tales Five Years b/w Hermits Tales
Glamorcult Carry the Water Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Glamorcult Forever Strangers Forever Strangers (picture sleeve)
VIIth Temple The Reason For The Fall The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Within Gothic Towers The Cavern Of Solitude Within Gothic Towers
Dream Aria Out of the Void Out of the Void
Dream Aria On This Christmas Eve Out of the Void
Dream Aria Pacis In the Wake
VIIth Temple Under The Burning Sun 2011 The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria A Song of Hope Out of the Void
Dream Aria On the Other Side On The Other Side
Dream Aria On This Christmas Eve Out of the Void
Dream Aria Gypsy Heart Fallen Angel
Glamorcult Images of Monlight Early Glamour
Glamorcult Lost Souls In Time The Stone Sessions
VIIth Temple Under the Burning Sun Under the Burning Sun
Glamorcult Lonely Faces The Stone Sessions
Dream Aria A Song of Hope Out of the Void
Dream Aria Flower Duet [by Leo Delebes] Transcend
Drama This Time Old Hollywood (picture sleeve)
Dream Aria Healer Fallen Angel
Dream Aria In the Wake - Soul In the Wake
Within Gothic Towers I Will Lead You Within Gothic Towers
VIIth Temple The Dream The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult The Bass of Our Style A Price To Paris
Glamorcult Jazzam A Price To Paris
Drama Electronic Pink Panther Loneliness
Drama Feable Loneliness
VIIth Temple Ten Years Left In This World The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult Pins & Needles A Price To Paris
VIIth Temple Have You Ever Wondered The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Drama Shadows (previously unreleased) Loneliness
Drama Loneliness Loneliness
Dream Aria The Professor Out of the Void
Drama As I Breathe On The T.T.C. Loneliness
Dream Aria Tale of Two Wolves Fallen Angel
Glamorcult If Only You Knew A Price To Paris
VIIth Temple Why You Went Away The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Dream Aria Opus Dei In the Wake
Glamorcult Yes, See Has the Afterglow Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Glamorcult Shadows From The Past (Part 2) Shadows From The Past
Glamorcult S.O.S. Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Fallen Angel Fallen Angel
Drama You Are The Special One (previously unreleased) Loneliness
Glamorcult Mine Is The Maiden The Stone Sessions
VIIth Temple In My Mind The Rise & Fall of Atlantis
Glamorcult Live For Today Moments of Glamor 1984 - 1994
Dream Aria Winter Storm Fallen Angel
Dream Aria The Secret Transcend
Glamorcult Shadows of Regret A Price To Paris
Glamorcult A Dream Girl To Me Tokyo Streets/ A Dream Girl To Me // Anna King/ Interlude

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