Dreamend's latest masks grim subject with pretty music

If there's a song that typifies the effect of the new record by Chicago indie-rock band Dreamend, it's "Pieces."

The track starts with a sunny acoustic guitar riff, the gentle chime of bells and a few warm pluckings of a banjo. It's hard not to smile and close your eyes as the music washes over you.

Then come the lyrics.

"I can't believe it's just yesterday/I clean my hands and wash the blood away."

Hmmm. Then, a couple of seconds later: "Now there's just pieces here/In my living room and on the chair."

Wait ... what?

Dreamend's new album, titled "So I Ate Myself, Bite by Bite," repeatedly juxtaposes pretty, folk-tinged pop melodies with lyrics that express the disturbing thoughts of a serial killer. The idea came to Ryan Graveface, the singer, songwriter and driving force behind Dreamend, after he bought a journal that supposedly belonged to a real-life criminal.

"The writings were so disturbed, but I immediately knew I wanted to build an album around them," the 29-year-old Chicago resident said. "It just kind of wrote itself, really. I knew that the music would have to be upbeat because this guy doesn't believe he's done anything wrong. Plus, I like the idea of keeping listeners surprised."

"So I Ate Myself," officially out Tuesday, Aug. 10, is the fourth full-length record from Dreamend, which is Graveface's main musical project. (He's also the bassist for local synth-pop band Black Moth Super Rainbow, and he owns his own record label, Graveface Records.)

The new record is a startling but very accessible piece of work, packed with hooks and low-fi choruses that get you humming, regardless of the dark subject matter.

"I'm really excited about how the record came together," Graveface said. "It's a departure from previous Dreamend records because there isn't much electric guitar on it - I used a lot of banjo and pedal steel and more folky instruments. I hope people respond to it."

"So I Ate Myself" is also a true album, in the sense that the songs are linked thematically, and even create a loose storyline.

Graveface, who was born at the dawn of the CD era, believes passionately that an album should be more than just a collection of recorded songs. His label specializes in producing unique vinyl editions with deluxe packaging and elaborate design. (Most are available as CDs and digital downloads, too.)

"The vinyl version of the last Dreamend record was designed as a pop-up book," he said. "For this new one, the record is an animated picture disc. It's really beautiful.

"I know a lot of bands who put no thought into how an album is supposed to look or feel as a whole. I don't get that."

Dreamend will celebrate the release of "So I Ate Myself" with a show at Chicago's Subterranean on Friday, Aug. 13. The band, which consists of Graveface and a rotating cast of musicians, performs at different times with anywhere from two to 12 people on stage. Graveface said he's not sure how many will perform at the Subterranean show.

"These songs are a bit more intimate, so performing as a two-piece might be best," he said. "It depends on people's availability, though."

Graveface, who describes himself as "socially awkward" and "agoraphobic," said he's actually looking forward to getting on stage. After the Subterranean show, Dreamend will play a few dates in September with the electronic experimental band Tobacco.

"Normally, I'm horrible at social-type things," he said. "I find the most basic interactions that other people do incredibly difficult. But I'm happy with how things are going now with Dreamend and with the label, and I want to see how people respond to the new music.

"Of course, everyone might hate it. But for now, I'm thinking positive."

Dreamend When: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13Where: Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., ChicagoTickets: $10, go to subt.netFalse12001800Ryan Graveface, pictured here with his fiancee, said there's a simple reason he often wears masks in photographs: "I don't like the way I look." False <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Related links</h2><ul class="moreWeb"><li><a href="http://www.myspace.com/dreamend" target="new">Dreamend's MySpace page</a></li></ul></div></div></div>