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LUNAR TWIN HOPEFULLY IT DISPLAYS GROWTH.
[ Interview With Christopher Murphy and Bryce Boudreau From Lunar Twin by Diego Centuriรณn ]
HOPEFULLY IT DISPLAYS GROWTH.
This original Los Angeles duo, comprised of Chris Murphy and Bryce Boudreau, are making luscious downtempo dreampop and trip-hop. Formed in October 2013, they have been taking small and safe steps throughout the nearly four years of existence. They released their namesake debut EP in 2014 and the remix-based album "Champagne Remixes" in 2015. We contacted them to find out what's happening with Lunar Twin. How did Lunar Twin come about? I know the history of the band Nightsweats, but our readers do not. Can you explain? Chris: Me and Bryce first met on a trip to Denver when I was playing with night sweats. Night sweats consisted of me and some friends from Salt Lake City. Scott Selfridge, the singer from that group actually mastered this record for us. I still work the guitarist, Terrance Warburton, in another band as well. Salt Lake has some top notch musicians. Bryce: NightSweats were a Goth band that Chris was in back around 2010. I was a fan of what they were doing and when they were a band no more I reached out to Chris about working together. Why did you choose the name Lunar Twin? Chris: We were brainstorming ideas relating to nature and space, while also finding a name that reflects our sound. When the name came up, it just
clicked and seem like the perfect fit. Bryce: We like nature and outer space so we thought it had a cool imagery and vibe. We wanted something that we could live with so we went with that. For this interview I went back to listened to the first "Lunar Twin" EP – what do you feel when you listen to this recording? Chris: That record is much rawer and we were in the process of finding the direction we want to take with our second record "Night Tides". "Sirens", and "Champagne" are the tracks that feel the most nostalgic, very ambient and moody, they really make me think back on my life at that time, living in downtownSalt Lake City. Bryce: I never listen to my own music once it's finished, but looking back on that we had never worked together before we made that ep it was done fast and, considering all that, I'm happy with the recording. And how people received it. I'm also really just happy to have the opportunity to create music with Chris. Neither of you are currently living in Los Angeles. What is it like to work with each other from a distance? Chris: It works out great for us. I eventually would like to make a record while in the same place, but I
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think our process adds to overall sound, it's a way of recording that isn't often done so it makes it unique in that sense, it also allows us full creativity without one another's direct influence.
want to make same record twice life is too short. This record we made as if each song was our last we did them one by one it was more complex process for us.
Bryce: Yeah I moved to the middle of the Pacific Ocean on an island. And Chris lives in the desert. It is what is we weren't gonna stop working together so we utilize computers and inter webs to facilitate our collaboration. I think it slows down the process of writing and recording but if one is willing to be Patient cool stuff can happen under these circumstances.
Now that "Night Tides" has been released, will you be releasing a new album or continue to release EPs in future? This question also leads to another – do you believe in the album model still today or do you believe that smaller releases make more sense nowadays? Chris: I'd eventually like to make a full length record, smaller releases make more sense for us, but we still want to keep an overall theme. We could probably put out a full length with our unreleased b sides, but our thinking is quality over quantity and only want to release our best stuff.
“The ocean plays a big part in this album. The ebb and flow of the tide and the effect the moon has on it.� I really feel what you are describing, which is what I find wonderful about this EP. Do you feel that this group of new songs is more like the original idea of Lunar Twin? Chris: Yeah I think it has always played a part in our music. Nature has always played a large part in our recording process. I'll often bring some of our demos on hikes outside the city to gain a new perspective. Bryce: It's more like an extension of what we started with first Ep hopefully it displays growth. We didn't
Bryce: Probably just an EP for the time being. I love the album/LP model but with the rise of digital music releases and the short attention span most listeners seem to have, convincing the casual listener to try and listen to. A 10-song body of work is kind of not that realistic in 2017. I do hope that changes though, since I grew up experiencing artists mainly through the LP format and think it's an in-depth way to experience art.
5 "Night Tides" features six songs. Could you tell us something about each one of them, track by track? Waves: Chris: The literal waves as well as figurative, lush pads and binaural beats. Bryce: Earth mother communion with primeval, the journey.
Blood Moon: Chris: We really tried to create space through the complement of it, sometimes the space in between the sound is just as important. Bryce: The origins of mystery.
Coral Sea: Chris: I love the intro on this one, and the chorus change feels really nice to me. Probably my favorite song on the record. Bryce: Life in exile, longing.
Birds of Paradise: Chris: The arpeggios and bouncing synths are great in headphones. I also love the deep bass when it kicks in. Lots of vocal layers and effects which helps them mesh with the space vibe. Bryce: The sacred garden.
Prayers of Smoke: Chris: This song went through some drastic changes, it originally had lots of guitars but switched to synth to have a more percussive groove. Bryce: Journeys and migrations.
Night Tides: Chris: My other favorite song on the album. We originally had drums on this one but found it had a much better feel to keep it simple and let the ambience and Bryce's brilliant vocals take over. Bryce: Leaving at night by the light of the moon.
What is Lunar Twin planning for 2017? Chris: Emerald and Doreen are currently working a remix record featuring three of our songs from this record. They have connections with some really amazing producers/ DJs and Eric over there is really awesome, can't wait to hear how they turn out. Bryce: Working on a new record, making music videos and releasing a remix record in Germany . Thanks for your time. I leave this last space for you to say what you want. Gracias mucho Revista The 13th and Diego and everyone else. Saludos!
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