Q&A: Derek Luh 'Socks & Slides'
☆ By BRADY MOSES ☆
DEREK LUH IS LIKE A HANDYMAN, BUT FOR BANGERS – with the right tools in his toolbox, he can build a track to satisfy the most specific customizations that a mood requires. On his new EP Socks & Slides, Luh demonstrates his massive versatility with the use of funk and disco-drenched guitars, crushing hip-hop drums, and velvety vocal stacks. Yet, even across seven undeniably distinct songs, the project flows effortlessly between sounds and styles, painting a diverse but cohesive portrait of the artist’s sonic influences.
Since his early releases in 2015, the California native steadily fostered his presence in the industry, having released a two other EPs and a full-length album, toured with Machine Gun Kelly, and worked on collaborations with French Montana and Dizzy Wright. Read our Q&A below for more on Socks & Slides, the “Hoodie” music video, and Derek’s take on the creative process.
LUNA: Congrats on the release of Socks & Slides! How are you feeling about the release and everything?
LUH: Thank you! I feel incredible, so happy to finally have some music out! Releasing this EP has been a long process but it’s here!
LUNA: The EP highlights a matured sound and overall feel of your music. Can you share a favorite memory from the making of the project?
LUH: My favorite memory would be all of the homies locked in a studio for a month. We were just making great music! So many talented producers and artists in one room making super dope music.
LUNA: You’ve definitely come a long way since your first release “Hustle Back” in 2015. What are some of the key ways you’ve seen your sound evolve?
LUH: I’ve definitely noticed my beat selection has changed and the instrumentation of all of my music. Definitely went from “boom bap” hip hop to more live instruments along with different melodies and finding different ways to use my voice on the record.
LUNA: What are some key inspirations that shaped the feel of Socks & Slides?
LUH: I would definitely say a lot of Sublime for sure. I’ve always loved their music and their sound. I wanted to start Implementing those aspects of their music into mine.
LUNA: The “Hoodie” music video recently came out and has a really smooth feel to it. What role do you tend to play in bringing the visual side of your music to life?
LUH: Everything. I come up with the treatment for all of my visuals. From the hoodie design to location scouting to what car I want in the video. I came up with all of it. I actually was writing the treatment for the video as soon as I finished recording it and was listening back to it in the studio.
LUNA: Obviously you’ve been able to stay busy during quarantine and keep working on your craft, so do you have any advice for fellow creatives to stay motivated?
LUH: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Especially now we always hear creatives talk about I work 24/7 and get no sleep and create as soon as I wake up. Feel like a lot of artists burn out that way. Just have fun, don’t stress. If the music is timeless it doesn’t matter when you release it.
LUNA: Top 5 songs you’ve been listening to lately?
LUH: Sublime – “Caress Me Down”
Lil Wayne – “Money on My Mind”
Uncle Kracker – “Follow Me”
Rage Against the Machine – “Bombtrack”
No Doubt – “Underneath It All”
LUNA: Now that the project is out and the year winds down, what do you hope the upcoming year brings you?
LUH: I really want to start producing again and learn guitar. I stopped this year cause... life. But I want to get back into it and just drop more music. I’ve been acting so I would love to book more roles, but all and all just be healthy and happy.
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