A Quick Chat with Rising Electro-Pop Star, Luna May
Luna May, the artistic alter ego of Melbourne's own Emma Carn, continues to make waves in the world of electropop with her latest release, "Heartbeat." This enchanting single, mixed by Ned East (Kilter) and masterfully mastered by Wayne Sutherland, showcases Luna May's evolution as a musician and storyteller.
Luna May has garnered attention and acclaim for her distinctive fusion of infectious beats and emotive ballads, crafting tracks that resonate with a global audience. The dynamic range of her songwriting talent is evident not only in her solo ventures but also in her work as a co-writer on early tracks for Perth's indie sensation Go-Jo, amassing over 50 million streams from notable collaborations.
Music industry powerhouses including Future Classic, Dim Mak, and TMRW Music have all lauded Luna May's unique talents, solidifying her reputation as an artist on the rise. Her recent hits, including 'Tunnel Vision' and 'Reluctantly Romantic,' have secured spots on influential playlists such as New Music Friday, Sunday Sessions, and Indie Arrivals.
The upcoming release of "Heartbeat" signals a thrilling new chapter in Luna May's musical journey. This track not only offers a preview of her evolving sound but also hints at the forthcoming excitement of her highly anticipated EP. With previous performances alongside artists like Vera Blue and London Topaz, and her notable collaboration with Go-Jo, Luna May is not just adapting to change – she's leading it.
Luna May's journey with "Heartbeat" holds personal significance. "Heartbeat is my journey of shedding anxieties and discovering that evading life's challenges hindered my true happiness. Funnily enough, the original lyrics took an almost opposite direction. Sam and I sat on the original demo and worked on it over countless sessions through the last year, and after a lot of introspection, the track started to evolve both lyrically and sonically,” she explains.
Co-written and produced in collaboration with Sam Phay, "Heartbeat" was crafted over the past year, inspired by Luna May's exploration of dance music genres like house, breakbeats, and drum and bass. Infusing this energy into her signature sound, Luna May revitalizes her career's roots as a feature artist on dance tracks. The core of the song revolves around recognizing patterns of toxicity and finding the strength to break free from them, delivering a message of empowerment and resilience.
As Luna May's sound continues to evolve, she draws inspiration from influences like Imogen Heap, experimenting with vocoders and intricate beats. Her recent release, "Reluctantly Romantic," provided a glimpse into this evolving direction, where she skillfully merges her signature melancholic songwriting with a dance-friendly sound.
"Heartbeat" serves as a teaser for Luna May's upcoming EP, scheduled for a 2024 debut.
We caught up with Luna May for a quick chat!
Your music combines infectious beats with emotive ballads. How do you strike a balance between these two elements in your songwriting process?
Balancing the two elements, I feel is all about finding the right emotional core for each song. I believe that the heart of a song should dictate its musical style. Sometimes, the lyrics and melodies naturally lead to a more upbeat, danceable sound, while other times they call for a more introspective and emotional approach. Working alongside Sam Phay, who I'm lucky enough to be co-writing my EP with, it's all about that collaborative dance. We dive headfirst into the creative process and let the song take the lead. We like to the song's message and feeling guide us every step of the way.
You’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with other artists, like Go-Jo. How do these collaborative experiences influence your own music and creativity?
Cowriting with other writers has been incredibly enriching for me as an artist. Working with talented musicians, like my friend Go-Jo, has exposed me to different perspectives and creative processes. It's the collaborative exchange of ideas that often pushes me out of my comfort zone and allows me to explore new sounds and styles. I feel the cowriting experience ultimately contributes to my growth as a songwriter and performer.
Can you tell us about your journey from Emma Carn to Luna May? What led to the creation of your artistic alter ego?
The transition from Emma Carn to Luna May was a significant shift in my musical journey. When I first entered the scene, I performed as a feature vocalist under the name Emma Carn predominantly on tropical/melodic dance tracks with European artists. While it was a great experience, I began to feel a growing desire to explore a broader sonic landscape. I wanted to experiment with new sounds and styles without the constraints of what was expected of me as Emma Carn. Luna May became my artistic alter ego, a persona that allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and venture into uncharted musical territory. It gave me an opportunity to explore my love for electronic beats while retaining the essence of heartfelt storytelling. What's interesting though, is that while I initially shifted away from dance music under the Emma Carn moniker, I eventually found myself incorporating those dance elements back into my sound as Luna May.
What role does Melbourne, your hometown, play in shaping your musical style and identity as Luna May?
Melbourne has played a significant role in shaping my musical style and identity as Luna May, even though I originally hail from Perth. Growing up in Perth, I was exposed to a thriving drum and bass scene that left a lasting impact on me. The energy and rhythms of that scene have always resonated with me, and I felt a strong pull to incorporate elements of it into my sound, which is how Heartbeat came about. However, since relocating to Melbourne, I've found myself immersed in an entirely new creative landscape. The diversity of musicians and genres here has been incredibly inspiring. It's a place where creativity knows no bounds, and I've been fortunate to collaborate and interact with many incredible musicians and artists who have influenced my approach to music.
“Tunnel Vision” and “Reluctantly Romantic” have been big hits for you. Are there any stories or experiences that inspired these songs?
Both "Tunnel Vision" and "Reluctantly Romantic" are very personal songs that draw inspiration from my own life experiences. I do love writing a good sad girl song haha. "Tunnel Vision" was born out of a moment in my life when I had just emerged from a toxic relationship, having being cheated on. It was a period of self-discovery where I realised that I had been living with tunnel vision, trapped in a monotonous routine that stifled my growth and happiness. The song speaks to breaking free from that situation and the realisation that despite how badly it ended, I was much better off alone. On the other hand, "Reluctantly Romantic" chronicles my journey of learning to open up to love again after the pain of the past. It's about the struggle to trust and embrace the idea of romance once more, despite the scars and reservations. My hope is that listeners can connect with the emotions embedded in these songs, whether they've experienced similar situations or can relate to the journey of self-discovery and healing that they represent.
Your music has gained recognition from major industry players. How has this attention and support impacted your career and artistic growth?
The recognition and support from major industry players has been really motivating, especially considering that I'm still a relatively small artist in the grand scheme of things. It's been a challenging journey to get my music out there, but this recognition has been incredibly validating and has given me the confidence to continue pushing my creative boundaries and exploring new sonic territories. It's a nice reminder that, no matter how big or small you start, genuine recognition and support can make all the difference in the world. As a musician and storyteller, how do you approach the process of crafting lyrics and melodies that connect with a global audience? I feel that songwriting involves finding universal themes and emotions that people from different backgrounds can relate to. I aim to tell authentic and relatable stories in my songs, focusing on the human experiences we all share—love, heartbreak, self-discovery. Music is a universal language, and I believe that sincerity and emotional depth are key to connecting with a diverse audience.
Could you share a memorable moment or experience from your musical journey that has had a significant impact on you as an artist?
A really special moment in my career happened early on when I had just started the Luna May project. At that time, I had only released maybe a couple of songs on SoundCloud, and I was still navigating the uncertain waters of establishing Luna May as a musical identity. It was during this time that I was asked to support Vera Blue as the opening act for one of her shows. Sharing the stage with someone as talented and established as Vera Blue was a dream come true. Her stage presence and songwriting was incredibly inspiring, I was really in awe of her, and it was one of those moments where I was like “yep, this is what I want to do”. That moment really reaffirmed my love for live performance and ignited a fire in me to continue honing my craft.
What can fans expect from Luna May in the near future? Any upcoming projects or collaborations you’d like to tease?
I'm incredibly excited about the near future! I have an upcoming EP in the works that I can't wait to share with the world. It's a collection of songs that truly represents the evolution of my sound, with Heartbeat being the first track off the EP. In the mean time, I’m also working on my live show and look forward to getting back into performing again soon.
Following this release, fans can anticipate another single by late 2023 or early 2024. In the meantime, Luna May has been crafting an electrifying live electronic set to showcase the music she has meticulously developed over the past year.
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