Interview
1. Cru cru Luma Fade, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. First and foremost what got you into music?
Music has always been a part of my life, but what really got me into creating music was the blend of introspection and inspiration during the pandemic lockdown. Discovering bands on Bandcamp, who were creating music independently, really sparked the idea that I could do this too. That's when Luma Fade began to take shape.
2. What is "Lunar Decay" and why is it so damn dreamy ?
'Lunar Decay' is my debut album, exploring themes of a dystopian future and humanity's resilience. I wanted to capture both the beauty and despair of a changing world where humanity was on the brink of extinction. I felt like I was writing dream pop for the apocalypse. I’m influenced a lot by post-punk, shoegaze, and dream pop but contrary to the guitar-based sound, I exclusively used digital instrumentation in the production that I’d like to think creates this ethereal, otherworldly vibe.
3. What's your top 3 post - punk albums of all time?
Tough choice, but if I had to pick: 'Disintegration' by The Cure, 'Unknown Pleasures' by Joy Division, and 'Juju' by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Each of these albums has a unique sound that really defined the genre for me.
4. What’s the best advice you ever gave?
Put yourself out on a limb. It's about taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether it's experimenting with a new sound or trying something unconventional, growth and discovery often happen in those moments of uncertainty."
5. How is your experience as an indie artist going?
I don’t really know what I’m doing, or at least that’s how it feels. As a matter of fact I’m sure I’m doing things “wrong” but I guess I’m okay with that. Being an indie artist means wearing many hats and being deeply involved in every aspect of your music. I have to admit there are hats I’m less comfortable wearing (like promoting!). For a while I just made art for myself but then I questioned, is it really art with no audience? Wouldn’t it be interesting to try to connect with others and share my inspirations with them? Even if it’s just a handful of people that I can make that connection with, I think it’s probably worthwhile.
6. Who was playing on your headphones when you were growing up?
Oh I went through a lot of phases growing up. Sometimes I would spend a week listening to a single album over and over. I listened to a lot of Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, early R.E.M., The Cure, and later got into Cocteau Twins, The Sundays, Mazzy Star, Ride, Blur, Jesus and the Mary Chain. Really, anything that got play on 120 minutes on MTV back in the day. At some point in my later teen years I went deep into punk-rock and hardcore, and some early 90’s screamo/emo-core. Mainly because those were the bands playing in my local scene. But I always kept going back to those post-punk and shoegaze bands. They seemed to have a depth that really spoke to me.
7. Who's your favorite artist from the alternative scene?
Right now I’d probably say Topographies. I wore out their Ideal Form vinyl for a good couple of months and I can’t wait for their new album coming out in February.
8. Do you consider yourself a music - nerd?
One of my good friends always calls me a music snob because I dismiss a lot of mainstream bands and get excited about these bands no one has heard of. Like the iceberg theory though, I believe you have to dive deep to see the bigger picture. It’s not that I don’t like some mainstream bands. It’s just that a lot of them are not that innovative and are doing things that were being explored by underground bands years ago. I’d actually like to start writing reviews of a lot of these bands if I had more time. So maybe I’d like to be a music nerd?
9. What movie makes you feel at the edge of your seat?
I actually went to film school a number of years ago and spent a fair amount of time watching movies so it’s really hard to answer that for me I think. Any good thriller can keep you on the edge of your seat but once you see and understand the techniques, it’s hard to stay “in” the experience. Probably movies that do the unexpected are what engage me the most. Most recently I’d probably pick Cloud Atlas as keeping me guessing the most.
10. Do you agree with the Pigeon?
I'm not entirely sure what the Pigeon's stance is, but if it's about embracing creativity and being true to oneself, then absolutely, I agree with the Pigeon.
Review
Check out the new original album by Luma Fade: "Lunar Decay"!
"Passion Fall" opens this record with a genius move that seems to me to come from the playbook of a la Interpol (Turn On The Bright Lights). Later on, it acquires an even more distinctive identity through the use of reverb and spacey textures that take my mind to the moon or even beyond the galaxy. One thing's for sure, I'm definitely not on planet Earth when I'm subjected to the gravity generated by thick bass lines and hopeful whispers that show their charm in a new dimension!
On the other hand, "Spring Sobriey" reveals a rosy atmosphere like a sunset that you can barely see, just like a flame of love being extinguished. In these waves of loving reverb, a dreamy atmosphere is created through a combination of synthetic refinements, interspersed strings and constant drums. Here I am floating in a sea of dreams, with the interval between each note causing me to shake my head from side to side, as I am spellbound by this impossible-to-define Luma Fade creation.
The Pigeon added the new single to his Weekly Gems playlist on Spotify. You can check out the released music below. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow along so you can stay on top of future releases!
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
This coverage was created via Musosoup