SPACE PROM - TO DREAM OR NOT TO DREAM

To dream or not to dream? That was certainly the question to ask in Nashville, Tennessee this past weekend. When it comes to space prom, we are living awake within a dream, and loving every second of it. What started as an intimate Nashville show featuring a unique group of small artists, has blossomed into a beautiful community with a stable fanbase. For the first time, the Space Prom show for Nashville, Tennessee spanned two nights, the first night ‘To Dream’ and the second night ‘Not to Dream’. Two completely different sets featuring all kinds of musical talent and guests.

Sam Hearn, childhood friend of Nordista Freeze (creator of Space Prom and energetic frontman of the iconic Space Prom Band) opened night one with a monologue of unity, peace, and safety within the Space Prom community. Quickly followed by an opening performance from Nordista Freeze and Sunshine Scott accompanied by the Space Prom Band. The band itself, consisting of Nordista Freeze, frontman and vocalist, Sunshine Scott, vocalist and a mean saxophone player, Elizabeth Cannon and Carson Lystad, shredding on guitar, Emma Spears on the synthesizer, Jarren Blair on the keys, Issac Johnson, percussion, Mason Thomas, bass, and Adam Lochemes on the drums, absolutely blew the roof off of the Basement East in East Nashville both nights! Featuring a variety of genres, but mostly 80’s rock, there is a sprinkle of something for everyone. 

Some of the most well-known artists performing throughout both nights were Danny Wagner and Josh Kiszka of rock band Greta Van Fleet, guitarist Grace Bowers, Dave Welsch of The Thing With Feathers, and Nashville based groups like The Criticals and Crumbsnatchers. Both nights were packed full of hit songs like Aerosmith's Dream On, Tiffany’s I Think We're Alone Now, Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On Me, Rupert Holmes Escape (The Pina Colada Song), The Romantics Talking In Your Sleep, and much more! Both nights were a minimum of three hours with a fifteen-ish minute intermission in between two talent-packed sets, with no falter of energy, community, and fantastic music. The band really hammered in the theme by ending night one’s set with Don't Dream Its Over by Crowded House, and brought the audience together for the grand finale of night two with We Are Family by Sister Sledge. 

If you are looking for any sort of sign to take yourself down to Nashville for Space Prom, a few come to mind immediately. There is a little bit of something for everyone, whether you're a fan of classic rock, metal, 80’s pop, blues, more modern radio music, or even just fantastic live music talent, Space Prom is ready to welcome you with open arms! The show is changed and improved every year, so every year is a new and unique experience. 

Space Prom is a fast-paced show, and everything is up to your own interpretation. Luckily, I got the chance to speak with Adam Lochemes, Sunshine Scott, Mason Thomas, Beth Cannon and Emma Spears about their own experiences within the Space Prom universe. Starting with the band's interpretation of this year's theme ‘To Dream or Not To Dream’. 

“What’s your interpretation of this year's theme ‘To Dream or Not To Dream’?”

“Both magical and realistic, y’know. Space Prom happens in a blip second, one night… But it's so magical for that little blip second, it's like a fever dream.” Lochemes remarked. “Being in the band is really fun, but it’s also a lot of work… First week, learning all 50 songs, you’re like ‘why did I ever do this’, and at the end of the day… ‘I want to do it again’!” Lochemes reflected on his time working on the production and percussion side of the band. 

“What sort of philosophies do you think of when you think of ‘Space Prom’?”

“The comradery is really nice, that's been a really big thing for me… I feel like a lot of people that come to Space Prom feel that with their friends.” Cannon reflected. “It's the event, being with their friends, being with each other, sing these songs, be with other people that wanna have fun and party.”

Thomas added; “It's like the ultimate place for freedom and expression… Being your true self with people you love, and even with people you don't know, that you might end up loving!”

Spears reflected on the preparation of the event itself stating; “Space Prom to me, is not just about the event, it's about all the events leading up to Space Prom… Getting together with your friends and getting ready to go to Space Prom, the karaoke nights that happen in the nights leading up. Spears also reflected on the fact that right now, everyone is struggling for a place to belong or a place to feel joy. “Feeling joy is almost like an act of resistance, that's what Space Prom is about.”

Scott, going into only her second year in the band, but a long time fan of the movement, had this to say; “It’s really incredible how Space Prom gives opportunities to underappreciated artists… Space Prom gives them a voice and an audience that they can go to.” She remarked. “I remember when I was first a guest… This is my chance to actually show people what I love and what I do… I was dreaming and it became my reality!” Scott reflected on her time as an audience member of Space Prom, and how she was inspired to become a part of this project to showcase her hard work as a vocalist and saxophone player.Fashion also plays a large role within the Space Prom universe, so I had to inquire about the inspiration for the costumes for this year's theme. Scott is notorious for designing and creating her own outfits, so I knew that she would definitely have some insight into the inspiration behind the costumes. 

“Very Midsummer Nights Dream, celestial dreaming, ethereal things. Mason is a tree person, Beth is a forest witch… There's some Labyrinth in there, David Bowie… Adam is a runaway ‘lady of the land’.” Scott reflected on how herself and the band had worked together to create costumes that stuck to the theme, as well as each band member's personalities. 

Providing insight into her own homemade costume; “I am kind of inspired by a cloud fairy… I made my entire costume out of pillow stuffing.” Scott also discussed how she essentially creatively directed the band with their costumes, creating some semblance of unity amongst the members, but also allowing each member to interpret the theme their own way, which is truly what the event is all about!

Digging into the minds of the members I spoke with, I was curious to know what their ideal Space Prom theme might be, they had this to say…

“Mine is the dark fantasy!” Beth remarked, fitting right in with her costume choice for the evening. 

“I want Bladerunner, and everyone plays synth.” Lachemes added. 

“An entirely candy themed Space Prom… Like Candyland… I just love that shit.” Scott mentioned, eliciting a flurry of agreements from the group… A possible Space Prom theme for the future? Scott also mentioned a Barbie Fairytopia theme, which definitely caught my attention.

Digging deeper into the emotions behind the show, I spoke with the band about how much the world is yearning for a sense of community and belonging. I was curious about their opinions on the sort of “sanctuary” that this space has created for so many people. 

“It's my first year playing with this crew, the last time I played Space Prom was in 2019… I can just speak to how welcoming everyone is, how inclusive everyone is, people really want to connect and get to know you and celebrate with you.” Spears remarked. “We spend a lot of our time dancing together, just having fun, fun is a priority.”

“I’ve been made to feel out of place in many places in my life.” Scott added; “It was incredibly easy to drop that wall that I sort of have to keep up in order to feel safe… I didn't feel out of my depth anymore.” She recalled. 

“With us having so much fun on stage… I want the audience to kind of feel that energy and dance with each other, talk to people that they don't know.” Beth continued. 

“They love us and we love them! We’ve got each other's backs.” Scott added.

The gang also attributes a lot of their community to Freeze and his never-ending energy and contributions to the Space Prom community. His dedication to this project he has created, and his love for the community is incredibly admirable. If you are looking to become a part of an eclectic rock n’ roll family, Space Prom is the place to be! The show tours briefly through a few southern states before ending up back in Nashville for its final go-around, but if you are hoping to see Space Prom somewhere near you, the band is always looking for suggestions of new states to travel to! If you are looking to get a taste of the show yourself, you can find setlist playlists of previous Space Prom events on streaming platforms, as well as checking their social medias for information on what is to come!

Give Nordista Freeze and Space Prom a follow on Instagram to get involved next year!

Check out our exclusive gallery by Alyssa Britton here!