Photo by: Nikola Lamburov
We caught up with Amsterdam-based, Cologne-born artist, producer and innovator Luna Morgenstern who’s new EP, Dance Dance (Don’t Go), will be released this Friday, June 9 via Nine And A Half. The 5-track EP includes previously released singles “Jealous”, “IDONTOU” (pronounced “I Don’t Owe You”), and title track “Dance Dance (Don’t Go).”
Combining club vibes and glossy Y2K visual aesthetics, Luna’s sound is a hybrid of modern electro-pop, glitchy, experimental hyperpop with nods to Eurodance, trance, house and EDM. Dance Dance (Don’t Go) will also be available in CD form, highlighting that early 2000’s nostalgia.
We asked Luna about the vibe and sound of the EP, producing her own music, her upcoming headline shows in the Netherlands, and more. Check out our conversation below.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your new EP, Dance Dance Dance (Don’t Go)?
Luna Morgenstern (LM): Dance Dance (Don’t Go) carries a lot of nostalgia, sonically as well as lyrically. It captures that feeling of escaping your own reality, which in my case was still very much influenced by lockdowns. I pretty much dreamt myself away by writing this EP, thinking back to major moments in my life and wrapping my head around them, by writing about what happened at the time. It was a very cathartic process. That’s also, why I looked back at the early 2000’s for inspiration for the sound, to bring back my childhood and teenage years in the production as well.
What was your creative process like when it came to putting the new tracks together?
LM: It was a fragmented process. Most songs were written on a little writing get away, when I spent a couple of days at a beach by myself. But the title track was actually written at a writing camp in Berlin. It was after a couple of months had passed, that I looked at my demos and thought, these actually are connected by a feeling. Then I sat down with my friend Nick Ribbens and we finished the production together, mixing hyperpop and garage elements with early 2000’s trance and euro dance. It was such a fun process bringing these songs together and I am so grateful to Nick, who is so open and respectful when working on my songs with me.
As a self-taught producer, what inspired you to start making and producing your own music?
LM: It was always a dream of mine to be honest. My dad was a musician as well, so I grew up with music and instruments around the house. He had a little homestudio, where I started experimenting with recording pretty early on. I can’t really remember having a specific role model as a teenager, but I started to get more into electronic music and indie bands. I spent hours looking for new artists online and made mixtapes for my friends.
This was also a big inspiration for the EP and is the reason why we decided to make CD’s instead a vinyl for example. And at some point, I just started recording myself in Garageband, haha. It taught me the basics and at some point I switched to logic, watched a gazillion of YouTube tutorials and just never stopped experimenting. I still learn so much from YouTube to this day and I can’t stress enough, that everything you need to learn producing is right there, for free!
In September 2023, you’ll be playing your first headline shows with a three-night run in the Netherlands. How will you prepare for these performances?
LM: I just came back from a month of touring with Dutch artists Froukje, so I feel like a had a good pre-run already. It taught me how important vocal health and physical fitness is, so I will definitely continue to work out and do my vocal warm-ups, lol! For my first headline shows, I want to create something unique and otherworldly on stage, working with a light installation for example. I still have to wrap my head around it, but I am happy to have the chance to make the stages my own for a couple of nights and invite people into my world.
Is there a particular track from the new EP that you are looking forward to performing live at the shows?
LM: With the Froukje support tour, I had a glimpse of how people react to a song with a strong, yet controversial message like “IDONTOU.” I was quite nervous when I first played it live, as it is about sexual assault and I was afraid how people would react to it. I was very overwhelmed to how positive the audience reacted, jumping and singing along and I can’t wait to play this one live again!
What can audiences expect from your shows?
LM: A feeling of unity, empowerment and lots of dancing!
Is there a particular theme or message you hope listeners take away when they play your music?
LM: I hope that people feel like they are being heard when they are listening to my music – I hate when people are feeling excluded, so I am always trying to touch people and make them feel welcome through my music 🙂
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Pre-save/order Dance Dance (Don’t Go) here