Luna Shadows on her sophomore album ‘bathwater’
Writing and producing out of her bedroom in LA, US-NZ alt-pop artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Luna Shadows has released her latest exquisite, ethereal LP - interweaving a refreshing mix of influences derived from 70s folk/rock, 90s grunge and 2000s indie-pop.
Hey Luna! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us about your new music! First of all, we'd love to know about your musical journey from when you first started singing and making your own music?
Hi! Thanks for chatting with me! Of course. I would say my musical journey began in the bathtub as a young child, splashing and singing in attempts to recreate “The Little Mermaid.” I was born in NYC and raised by the radio - Alanis Morissette, Natalie Imbruglia, t.A.t.U, Avril Lavigne, etc. I began writing poems at age 7, which would later be useful for writing lyrics. I started taking piano lessons and wrote my first song (an instrumental piano piece) at age 9. Shortly after, I picked up guitar (imitating older brother) and violin (extremely difficult!) around age 12.
When I was 14, I was accepted to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art Performing Arts in NYC as a vocal major. A shock to my parents, as they didn’t know I could sing, because I was exceptionally shy and never sang in front of anyone. I traveled four hours each day to class by car, train, ferry boat, and subway. I studied jazz, classical, and musical theatre, and loved it all but never excelled at any of these genres. I was regularly critiqued by teachers for singing with pop/rock inflection regardless of song. In this era, I went to a lot of Green Day concerts and joined bands. At 16, I was up for a role in the school musical, but the part went to Azealia Banks (exceptionally well deserved - she was amazing). With that rejection, I needed to choose a different elective. I chose songwriting and wrote my first song. Rejection and disappointment are a recurring theme.
I moved across the US to Los Angeles at 18, where I began producing and songwriting professionally for myself and others. I was initially rejected from music school but begged the administrators to allow me to re-audition six months later. I wrote all new songs and got in the second time around. They cited my persistence as highly relevant to my admission. Finally, I began this project in 2016. I also became a touring member of The Naked And Famous in 2017. Somewhere amidst this, I fell in love with New Zealand. After a decade of regular visits and collaborations with NZ artists, I became a New Zealand resident myself a few years back. Today, I co-exist between LA and NZ.
What an incredible journey and we are so grateful that led you to your current artist project! Which brings us to now and the release sophomore album 'bathwater' - congratulations! How did you land on the concept of the album and can you tell us about the central themes you delve into lyrically and musically?
Thank you! All of the songs were written 2020-2022, so I consider it to be a pandemic record. There’s a tone of introspection that mirrors isolation. The entire record was recorded and produced over Zoom, with me alone in a room. To me, “bathwater” is a meditation on memory, love, loss, and grief, with bursts of self-reflection from contrasting emotional vantage points. There’s “witches’ brew” when I’m low, “heroine” when I’m high, “little rituals” when I’m longing, “nudes” when I’m losing, “apocalypse love song” when I’m accepting. The album takes a journey through a cycle of emotions, with the intent of offering permission to feel it all. In between this introspection, I revisit memories, places, and relationships from all across my life - there are songs for lost friends, departed family members, and faded romances. The album title “bathwater” (extracted from a line in the title track) has many possible interpretations, some of which include: unconditional love, ritual, memory, femininity, renewal, and rebirth.
Absolutely incredible. And what were your main artistic influences for the songs on this album?
This album was primarily shaped by the 70s, 90s, and early 2000s. From the 70s, I was inspired by introspective, retro, singer/songwriters (i.e. Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell); from the 90s - grunge, guitars, attitude, and imperfection (i.e. Nirvana, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos); and from the early 2000s, I absorbed the pop-folk leaning, storytelling of singer/songwriters with lo-fi or electronic touches (i.e. Sufjan Stevens, Death Cab for Cutie, Broken Social Scene, Bright Eyes, Imogen Heap). Throw these three eras in a cauldron, swirl them around, and out comes “bathwater.”
Some amazing influences! We wanted to touch on 'witches' brew' is one of our favourite songs of yours from this project. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this track?
Thanks so much! “witches’ brew” is my diary entry from rock bottom, a soundtrack companion to what felt like an insurmountable depressive episode - specifically in my case, coping with premenstrual depression & anxiety (PMDD). It’s from a moment where I felt like I would never again have the capacity to experience joy, like I would never again see the sun. While I’m in it, I imagine the feeling will go on forever - until the light slowly appears, and I recognize that this darkness is part of a cycle that will eventually come to a close. The opposite of this song is “heroine” - the flip side of the coin, the main character moment. It’s the point in the video game where you run over a star and pick up speed, as sparkles trail out from behind you. The sun seems brighter, the sky looks bluer, and temporarily, the world feels full of possibility. I love listening to these two songs side by side, with these intentions in mind. My emotions are very cyclical. These sudden shifts from high to low are really draining and confusing - one minute I feel very capable, and the next I feel totally drained and defeated. Writing these two songs actually really helped me reflect and react in real time to my experiences.
We appreciate you sharing that part of your life story with us - we love the beautiful juxtaposition of these two songs, and highlighting the importance of knowing that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Plus we also love the song 'stay mad' - are you able to tell us the story behind the making of this track?
“stay mad” is about female friendships throughout my life - it’s like a musical collage of memories, cataloging closeness, confrontation, competition, cooperation, casual cruelty, and compassion. The first seeds of this song sprung from a childhood memory. When I was a kid, my little sister and I were spinning around our bedroom, dancing to the Spice Girls when I accidentally let go of her hand. She fell. Obviously it was an accident, but to this day, she maintains that I did it on purpose. In the true spirit of elder sister retribution, (fifteen years later) I wrote this song and got her to sing background vocals in the chorus.
Similarly, the video was inspired by more memories. When I was in first grade, my best friend (who I adored) dragged me across her front lawn by the hair - just for fun. When we were in third grade, she laughed and kicked me under the desk so violently that the teacher reassigned our seats. Shortly after, I made her cry at field day because she wasn’t trying hard enough to help our team win. Despite all of this, I really loved her and would’ve done anything for her. In my adult life, many of my female relationships have played out similarly, only now, our weapons are more our words (or sometimes, a lack thereof). The video is a visual collage of some of these memories and relationships, recalling some childish acts of violence - but playing out as adults.
What were some of your highlights and/or core memories made throughout the journey of making this album?
Creating “bathwater” was such a unique experience. Initially, I was meant to be touring my first album, the synth pop “Digital Pacific,” in 2020 - but then in March 2020, all plans got cancelled and I found myself quarantining in Auckland. The LP concept and style came to me during those early days, while walking on the beach, in between what felt like apocalyptic announcements. I found myself in a very introspective place. I’m not sure I would have made such a significant shift in style and tone if not for this. I started doing Zoom sessions with my (long distance) collaborator Brad Hale. I had low confidence in the idea of digital songwriting sessions, but it ended up being really smooth sailing. For us, it was even better than working in person because it meant we could be anywhere in the world. Previously, we had to coordinate semi-annual trips just to be in the same city. It never occurred to us to work remotely. Additionally, with this set-up, we both had recording capabilities, so we could both produce and record at the same time, co-producing. I could also go on mute and work in total isolation, which I did to write lyrics and record vocals. Eventually I finished the record in LA and sent it off. Earlier this year in Auckland, I finished my videos for “stay mad” and “little rituals” with a team of international collaborators.
Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you especially love?
So much incredible music coming out of NZ right now! Currently on rotation: I'm absolutely loving the anthemic “Kiss The Sky” by Rita Mae (co-written by my dear friend Alisa Xayalith). Also, for the past year I've had “Easier To Run” on repeat, by the incredible Georgia Gets By.
Yes, we love those songs and artists so much as well! What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far, and what advice do you have for other artists out there?
One word: persistence. Keep showing up. I compare the music industry to riding a mechanical bull. You put your coins in and quickly find the ride is absolutely wild, rigged, and overwhelming. You barely hang on, then suddenly it slows down and comes to a close. As soon as you feel a little proud of yourself for completing the ride without getting flung into the air, someone throws another coin in and you have to do it again. And it’s just repeating that, a thousand times. But I always hang on. Hang on, stay consistent, and be the last one standing. It’s not easy, but showing up again and again does work.
Great advice! Lastly, if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?
“Do a kickflip!” to anyone skateboarding. For everyone else, probably just: be nice, have fun, try not to hurt others. Nothing else matters!
Thanks so much! Make sure to keep up with Luna Shadows on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify or Apple Music.
