SLUMCUTS · Interview
Introducing Luna
Luna
The Freak producer on minimal, happy accidents, and repping the top of the South Island.
Freak
"When I'm in the studio I usually gravitate towards making minimal dnb, but when the ideas aren't flowing in that style I like to dial back the tempo. Having what feels like more surface area and space seems to get grooves and sound design flowing again when I get stuck with the faster stuff — and that was the vibe that 'Freak' emerged from."
Listen to FreakInterview
A Q&A with Luna — the “Freak” producer, repping bass music from the top of the South Island.
How does a Luna track actually start? Walk us through your process. What has to be right before it feels like yours, and how do you know when it’s done?
“I like to start with the drums, focus on building a world that they live in and then start recording in sound design. Usually I have an idea of the direction I want the tune to go and what steps to take to get it there, but I’m partial to pressing record and messing around. Resampling the elements that form the main groove can yield all sorts of happy accidents. Just have fun with it! I know a track’s done when adding more elements subtracts from the vibe and doesn’t add to it.”
How did you end up in dubstep and DnB? What did you grow up on, and what inspiration bleeds through into your production?
“I love all music from all eras but mainly grew up listening to grunge, hip hop and psychedelic rock. That led me to Hagley school of music and then Ara music arts in Christchurch, where I learnt basic production on Logic Pro and music theory, which allowed me to get experimental in the studio with songs I’d write. After my first Cobb valley party (the first Rolling Hertz), and hearing minimal bass music through a big sound system, I was all in. The rest is history!”
You’ve got releases across three continents — Italy, the USA, Poland — plus Rooster here in NZ, as well as radio play on RDU. What’s it been like putting your sound out from the top of the South Island and having it land overseas?
“It’s a surreal feeling, as I never thought I’d be happy enough with my music to be able to even release it, let alone have labels take interest in what I make. Big love to everyone supporting what I do. Just knowing people enjoy my creative output is enough to keep going.”
Where do you want to take your sound from here? What’s next for Luna — anything big happening?
“There’s a few things in the works which I’ll leave as a surprise, but in terms of where I want to take my sound, the sky’s the limit, and every day is a fresh opportunity to keep growing as an artist. Inspiring others to create, contributing to our local scene and representing the Aotearoa underground are some of many rewarding things about this sound journey. Mad love and appreciation to all those who are keeping the scene alive, and I thank all of you who have supported me so far from the bottom of my heart. You know who you are. Enough respect.”
Featured on Change Underground: Luna’s six-minute, 140 BPM dubstep roller “Freak” — dropped via SLUMCUTS on Undercuts Vol.1 — leans into heavier sound design than his usual minimal drum & bass. The piece also name-checks fellow Aotearoa artists Guzzy, Invalid ID, Bahns, Nevermind, Sertave, CHOLE and FunkT!de.