Hello Luchi and welcome back to College Radio Charts. How have you been?
I’ve been good thanks. I had a writing trip out to LA a few weeks ago which was great. The past week I’ve had a bit of a mental health blip and I think it’s important to talk about that because even though I’ve done a lot of work on my self, there are times when you still have down moments and when you feel a bit lost. Healing isn’t a linear journey and sometimes those old demons come back for another fight.
You just released a new single, “Mountain.” Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the new single and what it means to you personally?
Mountain is a really special song to me. It was written last year and it was inspired by a conversation that I had with someone close to me that has addiction issues. I was trying to get them to get help and they just didn’t feel strong enough. It was horrendous to be on the other side watching someone you love in self destruction. It takes so much strength to pull yourself out of rock bottom and start the healing journey so you have to build up that resilience in yourself to take on the fight. Your demons can be so loud and powerful sometimes, our heads can really be a hard place to live. I have been there before with my own mental health journey so I could relate and also used some of my own experience in the song.
“Mountain” has a deep and emotive sound. How did you approach the songwriting and production process? Was this similar to your previous releases?
Well writing the song it just came out of me. I was sitting by my keyboard at 3am as I couldn’t sleep and the song just came out. The demo was just me and a piano but I could hear the song being very grand and epic in my head so I sent it to my producer Chris Stagg and he helped me build it into then song you hear now. I want the listener to come on the journey with me and as the song builds, they feel that in their body’s too. The racing heart, the anticipation and like you are going into battle.
As a mental health advocate, how does “Mountain” tie into your advocacy work, and what message do you hope to send to your listeners through this track?
I think that it fits in well because we all have our demons and it’s important to acknowledge that it takes a lot of courage and strength to face up to them. I want the listener to know they aren’t alone in this. We all have different experiences but all feel the same emotions in life. We have to connect and help each other instead of attacking. It also taught me that you can’t pull someone out of the darkness, no matter how bad you want to. It’s the persons own journey and while you can’t take their pain away, you can sit with them in it and be there ready when they are ready to come into the light. For me it’s about being honest about all parts of the healing journey and some parts aren’t pretty and hopeful, some parts are dark and uncomfortable.
The new single features some powerful and evocative vocals. What techniques or experiences helped you deliver such an emotionally charged performance?
I actually recorded the song in the same room that I had a full on melt down about the same situation the song is written about. I was in the studio recording other music and I hadn’t slept because the person the song is about had relapsed and I broke down in the studio. My poor producer was like what happened and I just ended up telling him everything and for the first time couldn’t finish the session. Then we came back to the same room to record this song and it felt like the energy was still hanging in the air. I don’t actually remember singing the song because I went into a different place in my head. I think to get a powerful vocal you have to know the song inside out so that when you record it, you can lose yourself in it and be in the song completely. That’s when your instincts as a musician can really flow and you find yourself being able to evoke the emotions because you’re not worried about knowing the melody or lyrics. I also think when a song touches you and you have your own personal connection to it, that also allows you to deliver emotionally.
Your music often addresses mental health issues. How long have you been using music as tool for healing and raising awareness about mental health challenges?
I’ve always used music as a tool for healing. That’s what I get out of music. I love that I can listen to a song and it brings comfort to me and that’s what I want to bring to my audience. It’s almost magic that moment when you find a song and you’re like how did this person get in my head and know how I was feeling. We’ve seen it many times before and the job of an artist I think, is to write songs that people listen to and are able to connect to and say the things that people don’t say out loud so that it can give people a way of understanding or explaining how they feel. I’ve done it before when I’ve been like I don’t know how to say this but this song says how I’m feeling.
Can you share any specific strategies or coping mechanisms that have personally helped you in your own mental health journey?
I’m still learning to be honest but for me it’s about being upfront about how you’re feeling. I spent a long time putting on a fake smile and pretending I was fine when I wasn’t. Darkness only survives until you shine a light on it so by talking about your struggles, you take the power away from it so I’d say that talking and being honest is what I would recommend. Therapy has been a big thing for me too in understanding why I feel the way I do and finding ways to challenge and change. As I said earlier, healing isn’t linear so being gentle and patient with yourself in hard times as well.
“Mountain” features the piano as the main driving instrument. Is it true that the song was written in 10 minutes? Do you write most of your songs on the piano and do they always come together so quickly?
It is true yeah, it was one of those ones that just flowed out. When I say 10 minutes, that was the piano demo so the lyrics, melody and chords and then built it from there. Most of my songs start with just me and a piano and then they take on a life of their own. They don’t always come that quick and there can be some tweaks along the way but those songs to me are the special ones. When you sit back and think, where did that come from. It’s almost like something takes over and you’re transported out of your body and your a channel for a message that has to get out. That’s pure magic to me.
Which typically comes first for you, the lyrics or the music?
It’s different every time. A lot to the time it’s a lyrical idea I start with, maybe a title or a line that has me intrigued and then it just builds from there. I think that it’s equally important that the lyrics are strong as well as the music. The lyrics and melody of a song is what the listener hears and the majority of music consumers attach to the words and how the song makes them feel rather than the technical side. The other stuff is there to support the song but you should be able to break a song down to its core of just the lyrics melody and chords and it still be a good song.
Your music has a unique blend of genres and influences. We hear nods to Lewis Capaldi, Callum Scott and Sam Smith. Can you talk about the artists and styles that have inspired your musical journey and your approach to songwriting?
I draw inspiration from all genres and that’s what I love about pop music is you can take little bits from all styles and it works. I don’t believe in pigeon holing yourself to a genre as all songs have different homes so be open to exploring where the song should live. Artist that inspire me are the ones who stand in their truth and stand up for what they believe in. As well as Lewis, Callum and Sam, artists like P!nk, Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, people who don’t shy away from the uncomfortable parts of life and share their scars to help others. I think it all inspires me to be a honest, vulnerable writer. Also the unsung heroes in songwriters, people like Diane Warren, Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder, Claude Kelly… a lot of the time the songwriters don’t get the credit because they aren’t the face but I always like to see who wrote the songs.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives related to mental health advocacy that you’re excited about, and how can your fans get involved or support these efforts?
The best way to support is to follow me on social media, stream the songs on your preferred music platform and I always post about stuff that I’ve got going on. If you check out my stories on instagram, I update that frequently so people get a glimpse into the behind the scenes stuff. There are some thing in the pipeline but can’t announce them just yet so stay tuned and it will all become clear soon.
Lastly, what’s next for you in your music career and where can fans go for more information on you and your music?
There’s a lot coming up but expect lots of new music and a few surprises along the way. You can follow me on instagram or TikTok and I’ll keep you posted on there.
