This week, we’re talking with Lounna, a folk-infused songwriter from the east coast. Her sweet melody‘s and gentle instrumentations bring the piece together. For a debut single, Lounna has released the perfect one that shows her talent as not only a writer, but an indie-folk artist. There are traditional elements of raw vocals and instruments and is not overly produced like a pop song might be on the radio today.
listen to “from cradle to grave” here—https://open.spotify.com/track/1PHW4bGBgoH6oiwNJyvDD2?si=M-CndflNQTieqHvK6aGpMA
Provide a brief background of yourself as an artist, what has changed in the past year?
“I remember buying my first guitar from Walmart with my Christmas money when I was 12. I wished back then to be like Taylor Swift. (A girl can dream!) I started writing my own songs quickly and loved to share them with my friends. Following a music hiatus for three years after high school, I had discovered indie-folk groups such as Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Bear's Den etc. and decided to pick up the guitar again. I found that as I had grown up, my songwriting had grown up as well. I also added the banjo, ukulele, and mandolin to my instrument collection. Within the last year, I decided that I had enough songs written and tucked away that I could actually do something with them. So, I started recording.”
Where are you based out of?
“I am based out of a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.“
What are you planning on releasing this year?
“My debut single "From the Cradle to the Grave" is out on May 21st! From there, I will be releasing a full length, self-produced album over the summer. Details on that to come.”
Have you been co-writing with other writers?
“I have never written a song, or even a poem, with anyone else. It is something I have been wanting to get into. It feels like I'm really missing something by never having that experience.”
What was the process for writing and releasing this single? What genre of music do you play and why did you choose it?
“I wrote this song in one sitting about two and a half years ago. It was before COVID19 changed the world. I remember sitting down with my guitar one afternoon, playing around with a new tuning and seeing what I could come up with. My favorite way to write is perhaps old-fashioned, but I like to sit down somewhere cozy with a paper and pen and go to work. As for the real producing process, I had a lot of fun experimenting with synthetic instruments (such as bass, percussion, horns) and building it up. This song was the first song I have ever collaborated with others on. I had my friend Stephen Gilliland on electric guitar and fellow folksinger-songwriter Ol Whitetail on banjo. My friend Richard Mann mixed and mastered it for me and is doing my album as well. The process of creating this song was fun! I stuck pretty true to my self-defined indie folk genre. That is the genre that I think I write best in. However, really identifying my genre and sound has been a challenge for me. I am ultimately inspired by various bands and artists, so my sound is also a little "various" at times.”
Where have you been playing live music and planning to play this upcoming month?
“April 2022 is when I had my very first solo show! I've been playing at a few local cafes this spring, and I have a few more shows lined up throughout the summer months. I'm having a celebratory show at Bad Rabbit Cafe & Roastery in Scottdale, PA on May 21st in honor of my debut single!”
What do you like most about your music career?
“My favorite part of being a musician is the ability to create something I am proud of and share it with the world. I would consider myself more of a storyteller, poet, and songwriter than I would a performer.”
Why did you choose a career in the music industry? What are your long term goals?
“With that said, I can't really say that I chose a career in the music industry. It's more of something that has been following me around for thirteen years, never letting me out of its sight. I stopped playing and writing for three years as a teenager because of some life events, but the urge to write again never quite disappeared. When I picked up the guitar again, a lot had changed. Honestly, I don't really wish to be like Taylor Swift any longer - I only want to create something meaningful that will help others navigate through life. It's a wild ride.”
What is one song that would describe the soundtrack of your life?
“I took one of those silly personality tests on Facebook when I was probably 13 years old. It was "What Song is the Soundtrack of Your Life?". How funny that I still remember and think about my result. "Just Breathe" by Anna Nalick. I had never heard that song. But after listening to it at 13 and also at 25, I think it is rather fitting to my personality and my outlook on life.”
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