AKA Lui's new direction
Byron Bay-based creative AKA Lui has released his brand new track titled ‘Lighthouse’. The track sees the indie-dance artist team up with Caleb Miller-Harris in Nashville, along with Nathan Hawes (KESMAR/LAZYWAX) and Eden Yeigh to produce a tack that explores new territory with the inclusion of live drum beats fuzzy guitars and nostalgic sampling. We caught up AKA Lui to ask him about ‘Lighthouse’, his new direction and who has influenced his musical identity.
How did you first get into music?
The real introduction was Big Day Out, 2009, Arctic Monkeys coming out of hiatus right before Humbug dropped. That was my initiation.
“Arctic Monkeys inspired me to buy the white Stratocaster that I still play toda”
Are there any particular artists or musicians who have had a significant influence on your music?
Too many to name, but Arctic Monkeys inspired me to buy the white Stratocaster that I still play today. I also saw Tame Impala play at the same big day out, they played on a small side stage at midday. I was just a kid & that experience opened my mind. My first real musical obsession was Michael Jackson & my coming of age obsession was The Beatles.
What motivated this change in vibe for your new single “Lighthouse”?
The change happened purely because I was sent a dope beat. It went on to influence the music I made for the next year. I've always been into live drums, but weirdly never got around to bringing that vibe into my AKA Lui stuff. One day I was chatting with this dude named Eden on Instagram about making music and recording. We'd never actually met in person, but Eden was getting into drum recordings and randomly sent me this three-minute beat he’d cooked up. I ended up trying some synths & guitars over it and got into a flow so I continued layering instruments and vocals. Within an hour, I had the basic structure of the song. Now me and Eden are tight, and he plays bass in my AKA Lui live show.
“I love that feeling when you’re reading a book and a line in the book makes you feel so seen. I hope somebody experiences that”
What do you hope listeners take away from your music, especially from your upcoming single "Lighthouse”?
It’s hard to hope for anything for somebody else, but I could hope that they feel something, maybe they access a feeling or a memory that they couldn’t access before. I love that feeling when you’re reading a book and a line in the book makes you feel so seen. I hope somebody experiences that.
Your live performances are known for their energy and intimacy. What do you enjoy most about performing live?
It’s such a wild energy. It’s been a minute since my last live show but I’m really looking forward to getting back up there. This is the first time the show is expanding beyond my solo performance, and I hope to continue expanding. Revisiting your music for a live audience, and reinterpreting sounds and bringing it to life with friends is so much fun. I’m really looking forward to how the crowd interact with some of these new songs.
AKA LUI TOUR DATES
Supporting TORA
Saturday, 13th April: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Friday, 19th April: The Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Sunday, 5th May: The Northern, Byron Bay, NSW
Interview by Michelle Symes
March 2024