(Photo Credit - Elissa Graddy)
We had the opportunity to interview dream rock five-piece Lunar Vacation! Lunar Vacation are from Atlanta, Georgia and consist of Grace Repasky, guitars/vocals, Maggie Geeslin, guitars, John Michael Young, bass, and Connor Dowd, drums. If you ask them about their sound, they call it "pool rock", which is understandable because it is very lofi and mellow. Check out what they had to say in their interview with us and check out their music!
1. How did you come to pursue music and how long have you been at it?
Matteo: "We all started music lessons as children and got involved with school music programs. The guys all played on the high school drumline, and grace and Maggie performed in guitar ensembles. Luckily due to the small music program the at our high school, we all eventually met each other and found out we had a knack for playing tunes together."
2. Could you walk us through your process of writing music?
Grace: "For the last record, it was very much collaborative. One of us would usually come up a chord progression or melody, then bring it to the band and flesh it out. Then after we have a structure of the song, I go off and write the lyrics on my own. Usually I talk about things that have happened to me personally, or things that I have witnesses second-hand".
3. What artists have inspired you in your career?
Grace: "For Maggie and I, we became friends through liking Twin Peaks and Mac Demarco around our sophomore year of high school. We were so fascinated with their music and stage antics, and because we went to a private school, it was pretty hard to find people who are interested in the same things, especially small (at the time) bands. Also in addition to those two, some of the artists that really inspire us include Kevin Parker, Naked Giants, Wallows and Snail Mail".
4. Do you have any favorite music gear (guitars, amps, effects pedals, keyboards, etc.) that you love to use? If so, what’s the story on them?
Matteo: "The Roland Juno-106 is a vintage polysynth that provides the pad sounds on many of our songs. I also use it at many of our live gigs. For synth-heads, the Juno is one of the most iconic synths out of the 80's, and of all time, due to its super thick sound and warmth of tone. John Michael bought his used online, and was able to get it recalibrated so it keeps slapping for another 40 years, inshallah".
Grace: "I have a Danelectro Pro that my guitar teacher gave me because he didn’t play it anymore and to this day, it is the best gift anyone’s ever given to me. Its so cute and square. When Connor first saw it he thought it was a child’s guitar".
5. Can you describe the vibe at your live shows? Also, what do you enjoy most about a venue when you do a show?
Matteo: "We definitely like to get people moving and dancing around. We've all been playing for a while now so onstage can sometimes feel for us like a jam, especially when we play in our hometown Atlanta".
Grace: "It really depends on the location but usually people sway or dance a little during our set. We’ve had a couple of mosh pits form during our set and I can honestly say those make us so excited! I think the best thing about a venue is if it’s all ages or not".
6. What is one thing that you want the public to know about your music?
Grace: "It’ll take ya to the moon!"
7. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like fans to know about?
John Michael: "No solidified releases yet but catch us on tour of America spring 2019 baby!"
FMI on Lunar Vacation, visit https://lunarvacationatl.bandcamp.com