Hello everyone, it’s your host Oliver from DULAXI, and today I’m delighted to be joined by Bleach Dreamer, the independent Canadian musician, songwriter, producer, mixer, and engineer behind the dream pop project Bleach Dreamer. Based in Hamilton, Canada, Bleach Dreamer has built a distinctive sound that blends dream pop, post-punk, new wave, freestyle, Hi-NRG, and electronic influences into a nostalgic yet forward-thinking musical experience.
Today, we are discussing Girl’s Night, a two-song single released on 19 July 2026, featuring vocalist Niki Grossi. The release explores the excitement of unexpected attraction, the vulnerability of connection, and the strength required to remain committed when relationships face uncertainty. Combining Bleach Dreamer’s atmospheric production with Niki Grossi’s expressive vocal performances, Girl’s Night presents a carefully crafted collaboration that brings together ’80s club influences, dream pop textures, and modern electronic sensibilities.
Before we begin our conversation with Bleach Dreamer, here’s what you need to know about today’s featured project.
About Bleach Dreamer
Bleach Dreamer is an independent music project led by a musician who personally handles every stage of the creative process, including songwriting, production, mixing, and engineering. Since debuting in 2026, the project has developed a unique identity built around emotionally driven songwriting, immersive production, and a deep appreciation for the melodic and atmospheric qualities of dream pop, post-punk, new wave, and electronic music.
Rather than simply recreating sounds from the past, Bleach Dreamer approaches nostalgia as a creative foundation, blending classic influences with contemporary perspectives. Drawing inspiration from the emotional depth of dream pop, the energy of freestyle and Hi-NRG, and the textures of electronic music, the project creates songs that feel both familiar and fresh, connecting vintage aesthetics with modern production techniques.
Following the release of the acclaimed Surrender EP, Bleach Dreamer returns with Girl’s Night, a two-song collaboration with vocalist Niki Grossi. The release features the lead single “Hold On” alongside “Hits Me Like a Thunder”, two tracks that naturally complement each other by exploring different stages of emotional connection. While “Hits Me Like a Thunder” captures the excitement and intensity of unexpected attraction, “Hold On” reflects the trust, perseverance, and vulnerability required to maintain a meaningful relationship through difficult moments.
The collaboration with Niki Grossi became a defining part of the release. After discovering her vocal ability through an unexpected encounter, Bleach Dreamer invited her to explore recording together. What began as a chance meeting developed into a creative partnership that allowed both artists to bring their individual strengths into the project. Grossi’s dynamic vocal performances and Bleach Dreamer’s detailed production approach work together throughout Girl’s Night, creating a balance between expressive vocals, atmospheric arrangements, and emotionally focused songwriting.
The release also represents another milestone in Bleach Dreamer’s growing journey as an independent artist. The project has received international recognition from publications including The Big Takeover, Mystic Sons, Thoughts Words Action, Mesmerized, Buzzy Band, and The Other Side Reviews, while also receiving radio support from stations including 93.3 CFMU in Hamilton and 94.9 Radio Western in London.
Through each release, Bleach Dreamer continues to explore new creative directions while maintaining a commitment to emotional honesty and immersive musical storytelling. With Girl’s Night, the project expands its sonic world through collaboration, bringing together powerful songwriting, detailed production, and a vocal performance that highlights the emotional possibilities of connection.
Having this brief introduction to today’s featured project, I’m sure both new listeners and longtime fans are excited to hear directly from Bleach Dreamer. So, without further ado, let’s begin today’s interview.
INTERVIEW SESSION
Oliver:
Before Bleach Dreamer became a recognized project blending dream pop, post-punk, new wave, freestyle, and Hi-NRG influences, what first drew you toward creating music, and were there any defining moments in your life that convinced you this was a path worth pursuing seriously?
Bleach Dreamer:
One of my earliest memories is sitting with my dad watching The Who perform Won’t Get Fooled Again at Shepperton Studios on some TV special that came on after the Muppet Show. I couldn’t have been more than three or four years old, but I remember being completely mesmerized. Pete Townshend sliding across the stage with his guitar looked like the coolest thing I’d ever seen. I even remember wondering, “If you’re in a band…do they just give you a guitar?” It completely captured my imagination and being 3 or 4 years old, had no concept of working a job, saving up money to buy a guitar or anything along those lines.
Music was always around me growing up. My mom loved ’80s pop and movie soundtracks—Madonna, Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club—so those songs became part of the soundtrack of my childhood. Then, around eleven or twelve years old, I heard Nirvana for the first time and everything shifted. That was the moment I realized music could be raw, emotional and life-changing. It was also the first time my generation had it’s own music. Before Nirvana everyone just listened to what their parents were listening to. Maybe some kids had older siblings that had already discovered rap or hip hop but outside of that, we didn’t really have our own version of “Beatles” or “Led Zeppelin” yet.
Around age five my teacher told my parents I had poor fine motor control, so they enrolled me in piano lessons. Ironically, that ended up becoming one of the greatest gifts I could have received. I stayed with it for years, completed Royal Conservatory exams, won awards, performed in recitals, and eventually attended an arts-focused high school. Looking back, all of those moments formed the foundation for what eventually became my life’s work.
Oliver:
One of the most fascinating aspects of your work is that you write, produce, mix, and engineer every release yourself. How has taking complete creative ownership of your music shaped both your artistic identity and your personal growth as a musician?
Bleach Dreamer:
It honestly came from frustration. When I was younger, I’d spend countless hours trying to explain sounds or moods to producers and engineers, and we’d often end up speaking different languages creatively. Nobody was doing anything wrong—we just heard things differently.
Eventually I thought, “If I want these records to sound the way I hear them in my head, I should learn how to make them myself.”
That decision changed everything. Along the way I had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented producers and engineers who taught me a tremendous amount about recording, production and critical listening. I borrowed pieces from each experience and gradually developed my own workflow.
Today, handling every stage of the process gives me complete freedom. If I wake up at two in the morning with an idea, I don’t have to book studio time or explain it to someone else. I can simply create until it feels right.
Oliver:
Your music balances nostalgia and modernity in a way that feels intentional rather than purely retro-inspired. What is it about the sounds and aesthetics of the past that continues to inspire you, and how do you ensure those influences remain fresh and relevant in your work today?
Bleach Dreamer:
I think there’s a misconception that artists making music with ’80s influences are only looking backwards. I’m inspired just as much by what’s happening right now.
Artists like Johnny Dynamite, Nuovo Testamento, Korine, Brothertiger, Catherine Moan, DIIV and Torturetwinn are all finding fresh ways to reinterpret those classic influences without simply recreating them. That’s incredibly inspiring to me.
I don’t sit down thinking, “I’m going to make an ’80s song.” I think about a feeling. Sometimes the best way to express that feeling is through what people call dream pop, sometimes it’s darkwave, new wave or Hi-NRG. Those sounds are just colours on the palette. The goal is always to make something that feels emotionally honest rather than nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake.
Oliver:
Since your debut in 2026, your music has received attention from a growing number of publications across different countries and genres. Looking back, what have been some of the most meaningful moments from your journey so far?
Bleach Dreamer:
Honestly, it’s been incredibly surreal. When you’re making records by yourself, you never really know how they’re going to land once they leave your hard drive.
Seeing publications from different countries connect with the music has been really rewarding, especially because they all seem to take something different away from it. Some focus on the songwriting, others on the production, while others connect with the atmosphere or emotion behind the songs.
Another meaningful moment has been hearing the music receive support from college and independent radio. Knowing someone has chosen to put your song into rotation alongside artists they genuinely love is a pretty special feeling.
More than anything, I’m grateful that people seem to recognize the authenticity behind what I’m trying to create. That’s always been the goal.
Oliver:
Girl’s Night arrives following the release of the Surrender EP and introduces a new creative chapter through your collaboration with vocalist Niki Grossi. What sparked the idea for this partnership, and what made Niki the right voice for these songs?
Bleach Dreamer:
We actually met completely by chance. I was invited to her best friend’s birthday by a mutual friend, and while everyone was hanging out, I overheard Niki casually singing along with a song that was playing in the club.
She wasn’t performing or trying to impress anyone—she was just singing—and I remember instantly feeling that her vocals are special because her voice was unbelievable. I introduced myself and asked if she’d ever considered recording together.
It took us a couple of months to actually get organized, but once we started recording, everything felt really natural. I remember walking back home from swimming and passing by Squires (bar) on Locke St on my home that Niki was singing at that night (unbeknownst to me) and from the patio she’s like “Hey!…i finally listened to your demos let’s record some songs and see how it goes”. That was a couple of months after we met and how this all came to be.
We recorded several songs together, and “Hits Me Like a Thunder” and “Hold On” immediately stood out as the strongest pair. There’s actually a funny story behind the release. At one point I thought I’d lost every recording we’d made because I couldn’t remember which hard drive I’d saved the sessions to. We were both devastated. Months later I found everything tucked away on another drive. So, in a strange way, Girl’s Night almost never existed.
Oliver:
Although Girl’s Night consists of only two songs, the release feels like a complete narrative, moving from the excitement of attraction to the challenges of maintaining a meaningful connection. At what point did you realize these songs belonged together as part of the same story?
Bleach Dreamer:
It wasn’t something I consciously planned. I wasn’t trying to tell a story from beginning to end or build a concept release.
We had recorded a batch of songs together, and these were simply the two that felt the strongest. They complemented each other emotionally and, more importantly, they showcased what Niki and I are capable of creating together.
It was only after listening to them as a pair that I realized they naturally felt connected. One captures the excitement and electricity of discovering someone, while the other explores what happens after that initial spark. It wasn’t intentional—it was just one of those happy accidents where the songs found each other.
Oliver:
The title Girl’s Night immediately creates a certain atmosphere and sense of curiosity. What does the title represent to you, and how does it connect to the emotional journey explored throughout the release?
Bleach Dreamer:
I honestly don’t spend a lot of time overthinking titles. They’re usually a feeling more than a concept. Once these two songs were finished, Girl’s Night just felt right. They have this energy that reminds me of getting dressed up, heading out with your friends, feeling confident, chasing excitement and not really knowing where the night is going to take you. That’s what the music felt like to me, so the title followed naturally.
Oliver:
Hold On explores trust, perseverance, and the courage required to remain vulnerable in a relationship. What inspired you to focus on these themes, and why did they feel important to explore at this stage of your creative journey?
Bleach Dreamer:
I don’t usually sit down with a theme in mind. The songs tend to reveal themselves as they’re being written. Looking back, I think Hold On became about choosing to stay present when things become difficult. Relationships aren’t built during the easy moments—they’re built when life gets complicated and you decide to keep showing up for each other. I think that’s something almost everyone can relate to in one way or another, whether it’s romantic or otherwise.
Oliver:
In contrast, Hits Me Like a Thunder captures the thrill of unexpected attraction and those moments that seem to change everything in an instant. What experiences, observations, or emotions helped shape the story behind that song?
Bleach Dreamer:
We’ve all had those moments where someone completely catches us off guard. You weren’t looking for anything and suddenly your entire mood changes because someone walked into the room or smiled at you. That’s such a powerful feeling because it isn’t logical—it’s instinctive. I wanted the music to feel the same way. It had to hit immediately, almost before your brain had time to process it.
Oliver:
Together, these tracks explore two very different stages of connection. Was it important for you to present both the excitement of falling for someone and the commitment required to sustain that connection over time?
Bleach Dreamer:
Honestly, no. I don’t think about songs in that kind of structured way while I’m writing. I’m simply creating music with a feeling I can’t explain in words, more than a narrative. Niki brought those feelings to life through her performance, and only afterwards did I realize the songs naturally complemented each other. It wasn’t planned—they simply belonged together. Sometimes music tells you what it’s about after you’ve already finished making it.
Oliver:
Your songwriting often places emotional honesty at the center of the listening experience. When developing lyrics for songs like these, how do you balance personal expression with creating something listeners can see themselves in?
Bleach Dreamer:
I never think about whether listeners will relate to the lyrics. I’m focused on how to make what I’m feeling, into words that fit in a 8 bar verse or 12 bar chorus. If something feels forced or inauthentic, it usually gets rewritten or thrown away. Ironically, I think that’s exactly why people end up connecting with the songs. Authenticity tends to resonate more than trying to write something that’s universally relatable.
Oliver:
Niki Grossi’s vocal performances play a major role in bringing these songs to life. During the recording process, were there any particular moments where her interpretation of the material revealed something new about the songs themselves?
Bleach Dreamer:
Absolutely. There were definitely a few “a-ha” moments where she’d draw from her own experiences and suddenly a lyric would take on a different meaning. But what really impressed me was her musical instinct. Her vocal phrasing, where she’d choose to start or end a line, the harmonies she’d suggest, the way she’d layer the choruses—those are the things that made these songs what they are. Those big choruses don’t exist without her contribution. Beyond the technical side, she sang everything with genuine emotion, and you simply can’t fake that.
Oliver:
The production throughout Girl’s Night draws from dream pop, darkwave, freestyle, Hi-NRG, and ’80s club music while still feeling cohesive and contemporary. How did you approach blending these influences into a sound that feels uniquely your own?
Bleach Dreamer:
That’s a great question because the honest answer is—I don’t.
I’m never trying to create “the Bleach Dreamer sound.” I’m trying to serve the songs. Every production decision comes back to one question: what does this part in the song need? If that’s a wall of synthesizers, great. If it’s sparse guitars or huge reverbs, that’s great too. I’m not trying to make something original for the sake of originality.
Oliver:
As someone who handles every stage of the creative process, from songwriting to engineering, what were some of the biggest challenges or breakthroughs you encountered while bringing this release to completion?
Bleach Dreamer:
Working alone can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be isolating. There are definitely moments where it feels like you’re stranded on an island with no one to bounce ideas off or reassure you that you’re heading in the right direction.
This project was different because I worked with Niki. She wasn’t just the singer—she became a true collaborator. There were moments where she’d suggest changing a melody, extending a phrase or pushing a chorus a little further, and those ideas genuinely made the songs better. Having another creative person during this project was refreshing.
Oliver:
The atmosphere of your music often feels cinematic and immersive, inviting listeners into a fully realized world. How important is mood and atmosphere when you’re building a song, and what techniques do you use to create that experience?
Bleach Dreamer:
Before I think about vocal lines or arrangements, I’m thinking about how a song makes me feel. If it doesn’t create an emotional atmosphere, then none of the technical stuff really matters.
Sometimes that atmosphere comes from layering guitars and synthesizers. Sometimes it’s a drum sound, a delay throw or the way a vocal sits in the mix. I don’t really have a formula. I’m constantly asking myself whether the song captures what I’m hearing in my head or what it makes me feel. If it starts coming across authentically and genuine in the early part of recording, then I know I’m heading in the right direction.
Oliver:
Early support from radio stations and publications suggests that listeners are connecting with what you’re creating. What has the response to Girl’s Night meant to you so far, and have there been any reactions that particularly stood out?
Bleach Dreamer:
The response has honestly been overwhelming. Every release teaches me something, but Girl’s Night feels like another step forward. It’s been incredible seeing publications from around the world connect with it, while college and independent radio continue to support what I’m doing.
One thing that’s really stood out is how many people have mentioned Niki’s voice. I always knew how gifted she was, but it’s been rewarding watching listeners discover that for themselves or see friends that have heard snippets of what we were recording here the final versions, sorry we took so long guys, ha. Ultimately, seeing the collaboration resonate, the way it has, has probably been the most satisfying part of this release.
Oliver:
Looking back at your earlier work and comparing it to Girl’s Night, in what ways do you feel you’ve evolved creatively, technically, and personally as an artist?
Bleach Dreamer:
I don’t really think about my work in terms of whether I’ve evolved creatively, technically or personally. That’s usually for listeners, journalists or music nerds to dissect. I’m too busy making the next record.
For me, it’s always been about serving the songs. If a song calls for a different guitar, a different synthesizer, a new microphone or a piece of recording gear I don’t own yet, I’ll go find it because that’s what the music needs. Some people might call that evolution. To me, it’s just part of the process.
I’m not consciously trying to become a better producer or engineer, or even a better songwriter. I’m trying to capture a feeling as honestly as I can. Every record is simply a snapshot of where I was creatively at that moment. The rest is really for other people to decide.
Oliver:
As Bleach Dreamer continues to grow and explore new sonic territory, what excites you most about the future, and what kind of lasting impression do you hope your music leaves on listeners discovering your work for the first time?
Bleach Dreamer:
What excites me most is not knowing where the next song is going to come from. I never sit down with a master plan or think, “This record needs to sound different from the last one.” I just follow whatever is inspiring me at the time. That’s always been the process, and I hope it never changes.
As for what I hope people take away from the music, I hope they feel something. Whether that’s nostalgia, excitement, melancholy, comfort, or they simply want to play the songs again, that’s enough for me. Music has always been an emotional experience first and foremost, so if someone connects with these songs on that level, then they’ve found exactly what I was hoping to put into them.
I’m also really looking forward to finally playing these songs live. Bleach Dreamer hasn’t performed live yet, so seeing how people respond to the music in a room together is something I’m genuinely excited about. I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface so far….
“Girl’s Night captures the rare moment when atmosphere, emotion, and collaboration meet naturally, creating a release that feels like both a reflection of the past and a glimpse into where independent electronic music continues to evolve.”
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
MY EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE
Bleach Dreamer’s Girl’s Night showcases the power of thoughtful collaboration and emotionally focused songwriting. Through carefully crafted production, expressive vocal performances, and a strong sense of atmosphere, the release creates a world where nostalgic influences are transformed into something personal and contemporary. The partnership between Bleach Dreamer and Niki Grossi highlights how two creative voices can elevate each other, resulting in music that feels sincere, immersive, and deeply connected to human experiences.
~ Oliver (DULAXI Team)
CLOSING
Bleach Dreamer, thank you for taking the time to share the story behind Girl’s Night, your creative process, and the journey that has shaped the project so far. From your early musical influences to the collaboration with Niki Grossi and the independent approach behind your releases, this conversation has offered a deeper look into the passion, intention, and emotion behind the music.
For listeners discovering Bleach Dreamer for the first time, Girl’s Night is an opportunity to experience a release that brings together atmospheric production, expressive performances, and a thoughtful exploration of connection, vulnerability, and excitement. We encourage everyone to spend time with the music and follow the continued evolution of this unique project.
Thank you to everyone who spent time with us here at DULAXI. We appreciate you joining us for another conversation celebrating the artists, stories, and creative journeys behind the music. Stay connected with DULAXI for more interviews, features, and conversations with artists from around the world.