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- We’re excited to be speaking today with acclaimed writer and electro-pop artist Lunar June, also known as the resplendent Olivia Judd; greetings and salutations, Olivia! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, how goes your 2023 thus far?
Hi, thank you so much for having me! 2023 has been pretty sweet so far, thanks. I’ve been doing lots of sessions, writing and creating lots of new music which I am VERY excited about – it’s been nice.
- Major congratulations on the upcoming April 13 premiere of your debut EP, jaded/faded! What was the genesis of this remarkable EP? How did it come into being?
Thank you! I started writing it in the Summer of 2020, and it was finished around Spring 2021, so it’s been done for a little while and I am so excited that it is finally coming out. I started writing the EP because I had just rebranded and started this new music project, and so I wanted to compose a body of work that really showcased this new vision and direction I was headed in. Plus, it was lockdown, so what better time than to write loads of music!
- The lead single off of the upcoming EP is the striking tune you/feeling. What made this particular gem of a tune the perfect choice to lead the charge for the new EP? Do you feel that it is representative tonally of what fans can expect to hear when they pick up jaded/faded on April 13?
Honestly I hadn’t picked out a lead single as such, but it seems that most people are gravitating towards you/feeling from what they’ve heard so far, which is really cool. I think the track showcases a different side to my songwriting and production that I’ve never really explored before – especially in its instrumentation and arrangement; it’s the only track on the EP that has both recorded drums and bass guitar, rather than all samples and synths. It was really fun to play with more organic instruments and sounds, and it’s something I’m continuing to do more of in my recent writing.
- In your humble opinion,what differentiates the jaded/faded EP from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
That’s very hard to say – I guess I’ll have to leave that up to the listeners haha! If people feel that it’s unique and authentic, I’ll be happy.
- As a noted producer in your own right, can we assume that you did the producing honors on jaded/faded? Or did you have – to paraphrase Joe Cocker via The Beatles – “a little help from your friends”?
I co-produced the EP with an absolutely wonderful producer and mixer called Luke Marsden – he is truly incredible and these songs wouldn’t be what they are without him.
- Who are your main influences within the realm of music? Who inspires you?
One of my biggest influences of all time is Lorde. The way she writes, melded with her progressive production choices have always blown my mind and been of huge inspiration to me, from as early as her debut EP. I also take inspiration from London Grammar and James Blake, and more recently Charli XCX, Benee, and Labrinth.
- No less of a shining luminary as BBC Radio 1 has openly championed your incredible music. What does it feel like as a young artist to receive that type of validation from the so-called “Old Guard”?
Receiving support from a national radio station as infamous and established as BBC Radio 1 is truly priceless for any artist, especially an independent one like myself. To be championed by DJs and presenters you admire, and to be played alongside artists you aspire to be like is such an incredible moment – it’s hard to put it into words.
- On the heels of the release of all of this amazing new music, can fans look forward to checking you out on the performing/touring circuit in the coming weeks and months?
I have some exciting plans for the live show this year, which will all be revealed in time… Until then, I’m playing at a wonderful festival called Soulstice in Tunbridge Wells on 2nd September, in support of Young Minds and RNLI.
- You were born and raised in West London. How do those particular roots inform you as an artist?
Growing up in such a vibrant place as London was a huge privilege that I don’t take for granted – to have so much music and art and culture at your fingertips and on your doorstep is truly incredible and completely thrilling for anybody, let alone as a child and teenager. I think it shaped me as an artist because I was always absorbing new things and sneaking into clubs and venues underage to see my favourite new band – I just felt like I was always in it.
- Listening to your music, we can’t help but pick up little shadows of jazz. Has jazz been a part of your life and, if so, when can we look forward to that jazz-themed album?
That’s so interesting, nobody’s ever said that before haha! Funnily enough I did grow up playing in orchestras and jazz bands, and have always had such a huge love and appreciation for both listening to and playing jazz music. It’s lovely that you’ve heard snippets of that seeping into my own writing.
- Speaking of LP’s, with jaded/faded nigh upon us, can we expect to see a full-length album release from you either in 2023 or 2024?
A full-length album feels like a huge project, and maybe one that will come a little later down the line! For now I’m really happy putting out smaller bodies of work to showcase and build my vision as Lunar June.
- At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving copious spins to the jaded/faded EP?
The songs on jaded/faded are all quite upbeat and feel-good, and whilst I hope listeners are able to get that from listening to it, I hope it also allows them to connect with their inner angst. I love writing pop tunes but my favourite things to write about are the trials and tribulations of navigating life in your teens/twenties, and I hope that kind of comes through, too.
