STELLARSCOPE

[ Interview with Tom Lugo from Stellarscope, MAYU, Panophonic by Diego Centurión Photographs: Tom Lugo y Brian Mengini. ]

STELLARSCOPE: BE FOCUSED AND TAKE IT EASY

We have been following and waiting for the new Stellarscope album for a long time and it has finally arrived, “A glimpse of light in the darkness” and for this reason we contacted Tom Lugo to talk about this project, but he also has several projects, in the number Previous we had it with one of them Cielo Oceáno. In this talk we delve into several of his projects but we also try to talk about a more spiritual work that Tom carries out in his personal life and reflects, from his point of view, on the moment we have to live. With you, Tom Lugo….

Previous interviews:

https://issuu.com/revistathe13th/docs/the13th_numero_16 https://issuu.com/revistathe13th/docs/n__mero_n_38 https://issuu.com/revistathe13th/docs/the13th_n_61

Hello Tom! Thank you for agreeing to conduct this interview and the truth is that you have so many musical news that we are going to try to cover what we can. To start I would like to know where did this pandemic surprise you?

Thank you always for the support and friendship. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been in my house outside the city of Philadelphia. I never really believed that this would happen in our lifetime, it was just something that was talked about or seen in movies.

I wonder (with your activity related to the spiritual and martial arts). What reflection does this situation that we are experiencing deserve you?

Although I am not a Buddhist or a Taoist, I subscribe to the philosophical nature of their practices. If one follows the four noble truths, one can find peace and harmony no matter the situation. Life is painful and frustrating. Suffering has its causes. The causes of suffering can end if we get rid of expectations and attachment. Meditation helps us create awareness and takes us on the path to ending suffering.

Being focused and taking it easy has helped me deal with the current situation.

And speaking of the other spiritual part, that of music, how do you see these quarantine moments in music? I say this thinking of this impossibility of getting together, of performing concerts, of feeling that particular sensation of rehearsing ...

Like everything else, it's about reflection. Yes, we have maintained the guidelines implemented around

the world, but we have other methods to communicate and share with our fans and friends. There are many tools that help facilitate this process. Sure, I really want to go see bands performing live as well as being able to do musical performances, I miss the energy of live performances, but I've taken this time to be even more creative than I was before.

Go if you have taken the time to be creative ... And to start talking properly about music ... Let's start with a new project you have with Gardy ... MAYU. Tell us about this.

Well, the project had its beginnings in 2016 when we released the single “Quiero despertar”. Gardy Pérez and I have been friends almost all our lives, we played together in an

influential band from the Puerto Rican alternative rock scene called Arnold Layne in the early 90s. When I started writing music in the mid90s, which later gave birth to the Stellarscope band, Gardy helped me record various demos. And I play guitars on those tracks.

They have just released the single "Theia" (which can be found at the Patetico Recordings bandcamp). How is this project going?

Yes, that single has just been released, which is taking off in different radio stations around the web. We have plans to complete an EP this year. It is what we wanted to do from the beginning but since Gardy and I are involved with various projects we had put Mayu on hold.

Gardy and I talked about creating various songs this year and he sent me an idea and within 3 hours I wrote the bass, guitars, drums, the lyrics and recorded them.

Very recently we were talking about Cielo Oceáno, how is the album working? And do you have new plans with other projects?

Everything is going well with the album sales and promotion. Andrés and I will be writing new songs in the summer and fall. I started a new project called Heliocentric Overdrive with a Philadelphia drummer named Anthony Gatta. We already have 5 songs recorded and in the coming weeks we will be releasing our first song to the public. The sound is somewhat different from what I have previously created since Anthony is a breakbeat drummer and inspired me with a more modern sound. I've also finished the new Panophonic album, which will be released by the

end of the summer. I've been working on that album for almost 2 years, it will contain the singles 'Never gonna let this go' and 'Nothing that we can do', both are available at www. souncloud.com/tomlugo

I have another project called Dreams Turn Black with the English guitarist and vocalist Alex Keevill of the British band The Microdance. That project is much darker and in the metal / death metal vein.

Well, from what you tell, a lot of music is coming in the rest of the year ..... But they also just released a new album with Stellarscope, "A glimpse of light in the darkness". Tell us about this new album.

Stellarscope's new album titled “A Glimpse of Light in the Darkness” is one of 3 albums we have recorded in the past year. For “'A glimpse of light in the darkness” we try to capture a lighter and less obscure sound than we have previously released. The concept is to see the light in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us. Although darkness and depression have always been the driving force behind our sound.

"Standing in the shadow of your ghost" (2017) is the previous album, what differences do you find between this album and the new Stellarscope album?

Standing in the shadow of your ghost is more depressing, I was going through some difficult personal situations and wrote the lyrics like a diary. Everything I was thinking back then is written in print. That is why it is titled "standing in the shadow of your ghost", not being able to accept that some relationships come to an end and die but one finds oneself living

in memories of the past dealing with loss. The new album is the feeling of new beginnings, light in the dark.

The new album has premonitory feelings ... designed as for these days.

I think we are always ahead of what is going to happen. The albums before this time were 'The end is near, I'm not prepared' and 'Shades of sadness and sorrow' hahahaha.

Seriously, the theme goes very well with what is happening ... You have to have hope and see the light in difficult times.

Yes, I think the main thing at the moment is to be at peace with oneself and with the environment. Tell me, how were the writing and recording moments for this album?

Our style of creation has always been the same. We get together to play together and let the spirit of the moment take us where it takes us. Although the recordings sound structured, they have all been composed by jamming together, letting the energy that moves us direct us. The process of writing the lyrics, creating melodies and recording the voice is what has always taken me time. We currently have over 50 songs recorded without lyrics or vocals for upcoming albums. After recording the vocals it takes me a long time to mix the songs and put the finishing touches on them. It is what happens when you do everything yourself.

In other words, you will have songs for upcoming albums soon.

Yes, during these days I have recorded voices on 5 new songs for the next album. I have 5 more left.

This is going to be very different from the others.

Then soon we will have news. Regarding the different projects, I have a question that arises. How do you compose for the different projects? First the song and then which project will it be directed at or do you think of the project first and then write the songs?

I create songs with the specific project in mind. All projects have their own identity and usually contain a separate feeling.

Going back to "A Glimpse of light in the darkness", do you plan to make a video anytime soon?

I have plans to make a video. That process takes a little time since I film and edit them myself.

If you had to choose a song from the last album for someone who has never listened to Stellarscope to listen to, which one would you choose and why?

Sweet surrender, because it has the energy and sound of what we do musically encapsulated in a single theme.

What if you had to tell him which record to start listening to Stellarscope with?

Good question, we've changed style and sound several times in our existence as a band. I would say 'Standing in the shadow of your ghost' is the most reflective of what we currently do.

And to end this interview and thanking you for this possibility, two more questions ... First, you have so many different

projects that I would like you to mention them and tell us what sound each one has.

Stellarscope is more aggressive and has classic rock elements and post punk and grunge elements. Panophonic is more shoegaze and romantic although there are also moments of aggressiveness. Cielo Oceáno is more ethereal, thoughtful, and introspective in the dreampop style. Mayu has similar ethereal and introspection elements but the execution is more layered and complex with elements of dreampop and shoegaze. Under the Wire incorporates elements of trapp, witch house, and post punk; themes tend to be very dark, self-critical and oppressive. Heliocentric Overdrive is more indie pop with elements of rock and electronics (although everything is done organically) and is the most modernist project in terms of sound.

And now the last ... Tell us if there is anything we left without asking and you want to tell us and mention where you can find your music.

I had forgotten to mention that we will be releasing the video for Theia de Mayu on May 25th. I am very grateful for the time given, for the questions, the interest in learning more about the individual projects, for the kindness and for the support. I hope someday to visit Argentina, to be able to meet him in person, and who knows ... make some live presentations. I wish all readers health, peace, joy, and light. Many successes to all of you

Thanks Tom!

www.indiego.com.ar/