Long-time blog readers will know that, just as much as I rate Pet Sounds as the ultimate album by anyone at anytime, there is a Christmas album that I rate above all other seasonal albums, and that is Lost Winter’s Dream by Lisa Mychols. And while it may not feature a Beach Boy, it features early work from Darian Sahanaja and Nick Walusko who have become absolutely core members of Brian’s band aside from their excellent work as Wondermints. I had the privilege to ask Lisa some questions about the album, and here are her answers (in italics)
How did you meet up with the guys from the Wondermints to do the album?
While still in High School I danced on a sixties cable access show called It’s Happening, created by Domenic Priore. Domenic introduced me to Darian and Nick at that time. Domenic thought Darian and I would hit it off and he was absoltuely right! Darian is still one of the most dearest people in my life.
Was it always planned to be a seasonal album?
The album wasn’t really planned to be anything . I was in a mental/emotional eruption and needed an outlet. I called Darian to ask for he and Nick’s help. Thank God they said yes!!!
The title track is totally fantastic, of course! Can you tell us a bit what inspired the song and how it was written
This is really all Darian. I just helped on it.
Another great track is the opener (well, they are all great songs!) – I see it was written by Steven Kobashigawa. What is his background and how did this song get to be part of the album
Steve Kobashigawa and I were coming out of a very bad and turbulent relationship at that time. This sparked inspiration of the album to even be. Regardless, my respect and admiration for Steve as an artist and musician were solid. I asked for a song from him which led to his playing on some of the album tracks as well. After a few years apart we saw each other at a show…I think it was The Posies. From there we instantly reconnected our friendship and he remains to be a very special part of my life. He is also one of my musical heroes. (I still nag him to get his CD out of his originals!)
Christmas is meant to be a joyful time but it often ends up being a time of reflection for many of us – was this the intention of the album?
I don’t think so. Thinking all the way back then, I just remember feeling suicidal, but not suicidal like that…more like a something in me that had to die….but what???!!! I was so young, lost, confused, desperate and sad. This was all in the making of my first real record! I mean, it was my life long dream! So with those 2 extremes, great musicianship, great producing and engineering with TONS of hard work from everyone involved…we had LWD!
I find Darian’s liner notes quite poignant -”an expression of innocence, yearning to stay young and pondering a scary future ahead” – was this how the album felt for you?
Darian always seemed pretty in tune with me and I think he became a visionary in this whole project. Nick too. I mean, they both are serous musical warriors. It’s to be expected, really! But I never really reflected on LWD and how it felt for me in my own mind. I guess I was so just in the moment of the making of the album that it was all there was. As for now, I can only say again how I was just in a scary place back then and I haven’t really had a chance to reflect on it all since. You don’t really get that option unless you “make it” in the business. I mean, these days I make music always looking forward with no time to look back. Or maybe it’s just that it is too painful to remember how I really felt back then emotionally. Hmmm….
Darian also notes that producing this album set a template for the sound of the Wondermints in the years to come -and ultimately for the band that would support Brian Wilson’s return to the stage and creativity. So in a way this album is linked to Brian Wilson’s revival -how does that make you feel?
I’m always thrilled to hear that. The Wondermints are an absolute joy to the world of art and music, as is Brian Wilson. I’m so glad they’ve teamed up together.
Finally, thanks for a great record -for me the “Pet Sounds” of Christmas records. How do you feel about it over 15 years later? And why doesn’t every home have a copy 
It feels great to hear LWD getting noticed years later. We really had to sneak around all over the place in the making of it. Haha! Still makes me laugh thinking about it! I feel very grateful and truly blessed by everything and everyone involved in LWD. and to answer your question why doesn’t every home have a copy: If my Mom doesn’t quit giving away my last copy of LWD, everyone home soon WILL have a copy!
So there you have it -as you can see, just like Pet Sounds, Lost Winter’s Dream was made in a time of personal turbulence, and just like Pet Sounds reflects the pain as well as the joy of relationships, Lost Winter’s Dream reflects on this time of year when we often think back on our deepest fears and hurts, as well as the joys. If you haven’t got a copy yet, don’t wait for Lisa’s mom, order it now!
