Lucha Lyra – Interview

LUCHA LYRA INTERVIEW

Words: Richard Heaven

Hailing from the United States, Lucha Lyra is a solo artist with a unique deep sound.
Listen to new track: Clear-Cut Blues
www.myspace.com/luchalyra

How did you acquire your first guitar?

My father had played guitar since he was a child. He later on gave it up due to lack of time: I had been born, double shifts etc…So there was an unused left-handed guitar in the house. When I told my father I was interested, he reversed the strings for me. It was an old Seagull. Eventually we came up with the money to buy me my own – which I still have. Now, of course my Father is back to playing. He’s always been a musician.

When did you first start toying with the idea of recording and releasing your own music?

I think it was when I first started composing in Brazil. But back then, I didn’t have the equipment.

I started recording in Texas as soon as I received a microphone and an audio interface.

Are you open to touring or do you see your music as more of a personal release then a skill to be performed?

Touring is really something I dream of. Traveling and music; my two favorite things! But at the moment it seems a bit impossible unless I sign with a label, or have a promoter. I’m fifteen. I can’t do it by myself. My parents have always supported me with music, but they do have jobs. They can’t just take me wherever I want at any old time. So unfortunately, I might be waiting until I’m older.

Do you aim to make a career from music?

Absolutely! It’s really the only thing I could possibly imagine myself doing. I love it.

Have any labels/promoters approached you yet?

No, a few producers have, but they wanted to work over the internet, due to the distance. My father didn’t really like that idea. I haven’t sent out any demos yet, though. I plan to.

Any plans to expand to a full band set up?

Yes, as you can hear in my songs, I’m a “one-girl-band”. But when I play live it’s just me and the guitar…and the songs sort of lose their essence without their percussion and etc. Some songs are meant to be acoustic, some aren’t.

Your music and lyrics speak of experience and wisdom far beyond your years – do you think that the amount of travelling and cultural differences in your youth has allowed you to develop a much wider view on the world then your peers?

Thank you! Well, technology today allows us to see all the struggles around the world. The only difference is, people block it out because it’s not happening to them. When you see it right in front of your eyes…it’s a completely different story. It affects you in different ways. I also think the cultural contrast has made me think more deeply and be more opinionated about certain subjects. I think that the experiences I’ve had have allowed me to see things from more than one point of view.

You have seen some of the biggest crisis’s to hit in more then one country – do you think that there is hope for the future and do you think music and song writing, as a art form, is becoming ever more important as a technique to promote change?

I think it has always been extremely important. People just don’t use that technique as often as they did in the sixties, for example. It’s slowly being used more often…during the election, many artists came together to support candidates they believed in. There are still musicians out there who write about the world.

The only problem is; people don’t seem to be too interested in that kind of music anymore.

Do you think one person has the power to change the current economic crisis?

I think one person has the power to motivate and influence other people. And then, together make a change.

Lastly, what one piece of advice would you give to someone who just started playing guitar and writing and wants to be heard?

Well, I still don’t know too much about the whole publicity/exposure thing yet.

But I would say:

*Play in local cafes and such.

*Make an account on every social network possible, and upload your work.

*Add people! The worst mistake you can make is to expect people to find YOU.

*Keep in contact with your fans, and make sure you tell them when you have new songs.

*Try to make your recordings sound as professional as possible, and send out demos!

*Keep it real; compose only when you feel inspired.

*Remember that there are NO boundaries, let the music take you wherever it wants to.