Conversations with Luna Shadows

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luna Shadows.

Luna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I launched my project in the winter of 2016 totally independently. After two self-released indie EPs (“Summertime” and “Youth”), I signed with an indie label (+1 Records) to release my debut album “Digital Pacific.” After my touring plans from 2020-2022 were scrapped due to the pandemic, I decided to double down and create a new album. I’m almost finished with my second full-length, which I am really excited to share with you.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Before arriving at my musical identity, I had a long journey with lots of twists and turns. I grew up with all kinds of musical influences. I studied classical piano from age 12, and around the same time, I started playing rock guitar. Basically, I would go from playing Bach on the piano to Blink-182 on the guitar. Growing up in NYC, Broadway was also a big part of my life – I loved singing musical theatre, although I never really had the chops for it. I did get several callbacks for Spring Awakening on Broadway a few times, which I was pretty excited about at the time. I went to LaGuardia High School for the arts in NYC, where I regularly got rejected from the school plays and performances. It was an extremely competitive environment. Somewhere in all the rejection, I started writing my own songs – and from there, I found myself sitting on the floor with my acoustic guitar, finding my voice. In a way, the rejection paved the way for me to figure out who I was as an artist.

I have always viewed myself as a late bloomer with very little “natural” talent. I have worked hard to develop any skill that I have, and I really had to prove myself in every setting. I was rejected by nearly every arts program I’ve ever applied for (high school, college, summer programs) and re-applied until I got in. My whole strategy has been persistence – I just get into the room and figure out how to keep up. Fake it til you make it. I just learned how to be the last one standing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
On the music side, I am a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and instrumentalist. I write & produce my music alongside a few close collaborators. Additionally, for my artist project, I creative direct and direct/produce music videos,

I think fans would say my strengths are being very detailed & thoughtful in my storytelling & creative direction. My work always has larger concepts – it’s never just a random song. Everything is very precise, intentional, and interconnected. I’m very hands-on in my vision, and I tend to wear a lot of hats.

Something that sets me apart – I’m a music producer in a male-dominated field (only 2% of music producers in popular music are women, according to the USC Annenberg study). I have fought pretty hard for that title, and it’s something I feel very proud of.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am partially funding my next album via Patreon, and once per month, I make a post called “The Monthly Muses” in which I share everything inspiring me at the moment. You can check out all my recommendations for the past 12 months here: https://www.patreon.com/lunashadows

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lunashadows.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaxshadows/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/lunaxshadows
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LunaShadows
• Other: https://linktr.ee/lunaxshadows

Image Credits
Lissy Laricchia