Lightning Dreamers was recorded during the summer of 2021 at Sonic Ranch studios outside El Paso, TX near Rob Mazurek's home in Marfa. Composer, cornetist, and visual artist Mazurek assembled a streamlined Exploding Star Orchestra to record his current work before playing a festival in September.

His cast included guitarist Jeff Parker, flutist Nicole Mitchell, lyricist/ vocalist /sampler Damon Locks, Craig Taborn on Wurlitzer and Moog, Angelica Sanchez on Wurlitzer, piano, and synth, and Gerald Cleaver on drums.