The alt-rock group talk creating their debut album and launching it into outer space.
When it comes to album launches artists normally go all out: lush PR boxes, celebratory nights out and champagne galore. But for The Luka State, this wasn’t an option due to the pandemic. With tours and appearances put on hold, the group weren’t able to do a standard launch like everyone else, instead, they propelled their debut album Fall In Fall Out into out of space with LEGO figurines of the band aboard a weather balloon.
“Well if you can’t have an album launch you may as well create your own,” the band revealed. “Between us, we can have some stupid stupid crazy ideas but our manager is even crazier and tends to make them happen. He was on the blower to the Death Star as Vader wanted a signed copy so I think it was his best way of getting it up there…”
With the group recently dropping the video for their full-throttle single “Bury Me”, the group are determined to ride the wave of their album and have announced UK/European tour for September this year – pandemic permitting. With the group eager to get out on the road, we caught up with them talking the creation of the album, finding their own sound and releasing music during this uncertain time.
Check out the interview below…
Hi Conrad, Sam, Lewis, Jake – how have you been during this uncertain time? How has it impacted your music and creativity?
We’ve been fine thank you. It’s very uncertain times indeed. However, we haven’t let that impact this band. If anything it’s made us stronger and worked in our favour. It’s made us realise what we have rather than what we want and it’s been an important time for reflection. Also, it’s been a very amazing time for creativity. We’ve written lots and lots of new music and it’s been a very inspiring time for us to demo our new songs. We’ve been firing on all cylinders recently.
How did growing up in Winsford influence you sonically? Who were your musical heroes?
There is not much to do in Winsford growing up. We were angry teenagers and it impacted our sound directly by making us want to create Rock n Roll and punk music. We looked for any avenue of angst, and we bonded over our love of punk music from The Clash, The Jam, The Sex Pistols, Stiff Little Fingers and The Ramones. We had a feeling about us that we wanted to get out of this place and take on the world!
How did you all meet, and why the name The Luka State?
Myself and Sam met when we were 11 and we have been inseparable ever since. I met him at the local youth club and he thought I was there to beat him up. Safe to say I chased him by phone for months asking his Mum if he could join a band I was starting… the rest is history. Myself and Lewis went to school together so we have known each other since we were 11 too. We bonded over our love of The Clash in English class; it just made sense for Lewis to join. Sam and I saw Jake playing for another band at a festival and immediately knew that he was our man.. we pinched him and The Luka State was formed. The Luka State is a mindset – it means positive mental attitude, and it’s something that is deep rooted in this band!
Congratulations on your debut album Fall In Fall Out – what were the inspirations behind it? And why that name?
Thank you very much. Inspiration for this record came from everywhere really. It came from the people and the characters you know, the stories you hear and the life lessons you learn along the way. It became an album about being a young man growing up in a working-class town in the north-west of England and we’re very proud of it. The title Fall In Fall out is a nod to the journey that we go through in our lives. We fall in and out of everything as we go through life whether that be love, passion, anger, forgiveness the list is endless and we felt everybody can relate to it because it’s such a human emotion.
You guys physically launched your record into space, which is amazing and so out of the box – where did the idea come from? It’s quite history-making…
Well if you can’t have an album launch you may as well create your own. Between us we can have some stupid stupid crazy ideas but our manager is even crazier and tends to make them happen. He was on the blower to the Death Star as Vader wanted a signed copy so I think it was his best way of getting it up there…
Did you expect to receive such an amazing reception to your single “Feel It”?
We knew people would dig it as we have faith in our music. You have to believe in yourself and the music you create. However, the reception has been overwhelming and we were quite taken aback by it. We have to admit it’s a great feeling.
How does it feel releasing new music when most of the world is in lockdown/everything feels so uncertain – what do you hope your music will bring?
It feels quite normal to us. The show must go on and we can’t just stop because certain things have come to a halt. I hope our music can bring joy to people and for that moment that they have our record on the world don’t seem so bad during these current times.
What’s next for you? What are you looking forward to in 2021?
We’re continuing to make new music, as it’s important to keep the engine running. We’ve also announced a European tour for September 2021.. we can’t wait to get out there and tour this debut album and get out there and reach our fans old and new. It’s going to be a very special occasion. Gigs, gigs and more gigs. See you on the road.