Photo Credit: Ryan Berry
There are certain artists one does not compare themselves to lightly as the expectations are beyond comprehension. However, when Joseph Luca‘s style drew comparisons to a certain late icon of the ’80s I thought, okay – that’s interesting. It wasn’t only that, but it was correct. Who was that? Continue reading on to find out that as well as more about the new EP, ‘PART 1: Ouroboros (Life),’ out on November 10th, “Nowhere,” and more!
Kendra: You were raised in one of the most beautiful places in California, Ojai. So what transpired in your life that led you to music and releasing “To Be Yours” in 2019?
Joseph Luca: Ojai has to be one of the most peaceful and quiet places in the world. Growing up in a place like that really led me to want to make music that takes up space and screams out a message as loud as I can. “To Be Yours” was just that; a song about perfectly and miraculously meeting another lover’s expectations.
Kendra: Now you’re embarking on this 3-part EP journey with the first, ‘PART 1: Ouroboros (Life),’ out this November. What made you want to break this down into three releases instead of an LP?
Joseph Luca: There’s so much pressure placed on artists to commodify one part of who they are to fit into an acceptable niche in the music industry that I thought it’d be incredible if the niche itself revolved around an artist’s ego death and rebirth. If simply to give the audience the relatable perception that throughout life we are infinitely growing, changing, and becoming. I want to involve the audience in that process from the very beginning. I feel like you should only drop an LP once you know you have a healthy relationship with your audience.
Kendra: Speaking of journeys, you’ve had one in regards to living your truth as pansexual. Did you struggle with putting that particular journey to song, or was that a driving force of your creativity as of late?
Joseph Luca: It’s been a driving force both subconsciously and consciously throughout my whole life whether I knew it or not. Once I developed a heightened sense of awareness and acceptance around it I realized just how universal and powerful it was that I saw no reason not to share it.
Kendra: So a few of the songs on ‘PART 1: Ouroboros (Life)’ were previous releases. What about those three felt right when it came to representing the concept of life because you’ll follow this with death and rebirth?
Joseph Luca: In order to become who you truly are you have to die to who you think you are. Those first releases represent a strong element in the narrative of who I naively thought I was. Letting go of that attachment revealed a more true nature which will lead to the second EP
Kendra: Let’s talk about “Nowhere” because when music promises to be for fans of the likes of Prince and Miguel, that’s a lot to live up to, and…you did! I simply wrote, “OH!” on my notepad; just excellent. I could compliment it all day, but I’d love to know the story behind this one. What came first, the music, melody, lyrics…
Joseph Luca: I think of songwriting and music production very similarly to baking a cake. You have to have the oven set to 350 degrees and all the right ingredients in the batter ready to go all at once. Once you have a feeling resonating deeply in your soul you know the oven is hot. I’ve found the best material comes all in one burst of properly facilitated inspiration. “Nowhere” is the result of an internal dialogue I’ve had with myself my whole life revolving around fully loving and accepting pansexuality. It’s going “Nowhere.”
Kendra: Time for a side note – with November being just around the corner and it being a month we give thanks, I’m asking everyone this…what is one album you’re grateful for, an album that inspired you to do what you’re currently doing right now as an artist?
Joseph Luca: “Grace” by Jeff Buckley
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘PART 1: Ouroboros (Life)’ out on November 11th, what can we expect as we finish out 2023 and head into 2024?
Joseph Luca: A lot of new visuals, live performances, and many more ego deaths.
