Q&A: Lunar Vacation
Photo by Violet Teegardin
BONDING OVER A PURE LOVE FOR MUSIC - Lunar Vacation lets their passion fuel their dedication to their music and fans. Vocalist Grace Repasky, guitarist Maggie Geeslin, keytarist Matteo DeLurgio and drummer Connor Dowd come together to create the edge and energy Lunar Vacation radiates. The Atlanta based group has quickly made a name for themselves and continues to draw in fans with their powerful sound and fun loving nature. Check out their new track “Unlucky” and read below to hear how their sound had evolved, Repasky and Geeslin’s advice for the ladies in the industry and more.
LUNA: I hear lots of great things about the Atlanta creative scene and it’s really evolved on the DIY indie end. How do you think Atalanta has shaped you as individuals and artists?
GEESLIN: I think i’ve been shaped more by people rather than the “scene”. Grace and I live with very dear friends that have taught me how to be more present and have more fun, which inherently seeps into art I think. There’s a lot of sick musicians here, like Kibi James, Dinner Time, and Faye Webster. As for the city itself, it’s nice to be surrounded by trees and close to family, but i’d say we’ve grown the most as a band from traveling over the past few years. It feels impossible to articulate those experiences. I just wish we could put all of the friends we’ve made in one room and hang out forever.
LUNA: You’ve been making music together since you were teenagers. What are some of the main ways you’ve seen your music evolve since this?
REPASKY: I think as a writer (and a person) I’m still trying to figure out who I am, how I create, what I like and what I want to do with my life. Having the rest of the band around to help and give suggestions on the songs has helped our music evolve and grow into something crazy that wouldn’t be possible if not for everyone’s input.
LUNA: What sonic elements would you like to further explore?
GEESLIN: We’ve been dialing back on the reverb lately and playing around with dry guitar tones. The drums on our record are also very gritty, which is something we’ve had fun trying out. I’ve been listening to a lot of The Band and would love to try and make songs like theirs- virtually no effects.
REPASKY: Right now I’m really into dry or fuzz vocals. Definitely something I want to explore further.
LUNA: How would you compare your new track to your previous music? Is this any indication of the direction the new music is headed in?
REPASKY: Since we finished the track in October-ish and we’ve recorded more songs after that, I would say it’s almost a bridge from old Lunar to new Lunar. It has elements of our old stuff but also hints at our new material. Can’t say too much but it’s real exciting!
LUNA: Can you share a favorite memory from the creative process for the new track?
REPASKY: When we were tracking drums, we were basically in the live room playing the song over and over again for at least 2 hours. After the 20th time, you feel crazy. We had a lot of fun screaming and laughing and drinking coffee at midnight. The funniest part is that we had class the next morning!
LUNA: Do you find yourselves exploring any common themes or narratives with your writing? What’s been inspiring you lately?
REPASKY: In the past I feel like I limited myself to only write about specific events, autobiographical or not, but recently I’ve been trying to explore different ways to tell a narrative. Or just having a song that seems like one uninterrupted thought. On this new track and upcoming album, the themes are more centered around growing up, trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be.
LUNA: Is there something you want people to take away from your music?
REPASKY: I want people to feel something when they listen to it, and relate to it. That’s what I love about music!
LUNA: For the ladies - what advice to you have for young women wanting to step into the scene but may feel discouraged?
GEESLIN: Don’t let people tell you how to be! It seems as if everyone is allowed to have a say in how you conduct yourself on and off stage; Grace and I seem to get a lot of suggestions geared toward only us. You’ll hear a lot of people saying “Smile more! You look miserable!” or comments on your playing style. Fuck those people. You’re allowed to look however you want and play however you want. It’s easy to get discouraged by all of the commentary but you gotta keep your head up and keep goin’, because if you don’t, who else will?
REPASKY: I would say be how you are, and don’t listen to negativity. As women in art, people will automatically make assumptions and sometimes downplay your achievements. People will label you a “bitch” or “angry” or “bossy” if you take charge, or if you don’t act like how they think women should act. It’s definitely annoying, but work hard and keep doing what you believe in.
LUNA: How can we, both as consumers, music fans etc. further support young artists?
GEESLIN: Go to their shows and buy their music and their merch. Sometimes it feels like a lot of the music scene is happening online; we as a community need to make sure it still happens in real life too.
REPASKY: Agreed!
LUNA: Big question so take this how you like, but what intentions do you have for 2020?
GEESLIN: Make more friends and more songs teehee
