Start Listening To: Lutalo

Lutalo discusses his recent EP AGAIN.

Meet Lutalo, a Minneapolis native who has been crafting an array of soul-stirring melodies that resonate with the human experience. As an artist, Lutalo envisions representing alternative music in the contemporary era. His creative journey is an open book, with no heavy expectations or rigid definitions. Inspired by 90s punk, grunge, folk, and shoegaze, he is poised to embark on a new chapter with his upcoming LP. In this exclusive Q&A, we embark on a journey through the artist's life, inspirations, and aspirations, exploring the very essence of his music.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

My name is Lutalo, I was born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota and I make a variety of alternative rock and folk songs.

Your EP AGAIN explores themes of substance abuse and the constant craving for stimulation. Can you share more about the inspiration behind the EP and how these themes influenced your song writing?

I think simply put these are just things that I've witnessed or experienced within my life. Everyone has to deal with the human condition in their own ways. I find that talking about those things and feelings help me process life in general more. It's just a byproduct of living that I like to question and dive into emotionally.  

You've had the opportunity to tour with artists like Big Thief and Katy Kirby. What have you learned from these experiences, and how have they impacted your approach to music?

I really learned that I love playing music with friends. Both of those bands have such a strong base in friendship. Sharing moments of music with friends is the greatest thing to get to experience.  

'Hold My Head' is a standout track from your EP. Can you delve into the creative process behind this song, both musically and lyrically?

I was in a mode of wanting to write something that had a strong simple base instrumentally so  that I could focus on lyrics more. For that one, the instrumentation should feel like a boat or a train that the listener can just ride on. That main riff just felt so fun to play, so I built around that mostly. Lyrically I just let the feeling of the instrumentation tell me what the song was about. It felt sluggish and spacy, the words "hold my head, hold it real high" just rolled out. As I continued to follow that feeling the rest kind of just fell into place. 

Moving from New York City to Vermont seems like a significant change. How has the isolation and natural environment of Vermont impacted your creativity and lifestyle choices?

Creatively I think a change in scenery will always affect me in various ways. I don't think it has to do with how I'm inspired creatively but I can't deny there is a polarizing difference in experience between the two places. At the moment I prefer being in nature but there are songs and moments that I think I'll enjoy creating in the city again. 

You've collaborated with Patrick Hintz on your music. What is the dynamic like when working together, and how does collaboration contribute to your creative process?

Patrick was in my highschool band and is a large part of why I began producing music in the first place. What I appreciate about working with him is that he never feels like a task is too big or difficult to handle. No matter our conditions he always has the belief that we can make something cool with what we have. He always has creative and interesting ways to approach recording, I really do appreciate that about him. It also makes things much more efficient for me when recording to have a second person. Since I play/write and produce the instrumentation, I grow tired of having to worry about the recording aspect at this moment. 

Your music often invites listeners to question their way of living and imagine new possibilities. How do you hope your music can inspire change or reflection in your audience?

I just would love people to collectively take their power back from the various structures in our life that seem to lower the common person's self worth. I hate the idea of our future and culture being directed by corporations that have no insight into the day to day struggles of regular people. Musically, I want people to not wait for someone else to tell them what they should like. Rather, decide what artists they want representing this current time creatively. 

Can you share any memorable moments or experiences from your recent European tour with Big Thief and other tours that have shaped your artistic journey?

I had a real beautiful hike up a mountain in Switzerland with my friends in Big Thief. That was a lot of fun. The lesson I get from most of my tours is to find beauty in the moments that happen outside of music while on the road. I like to narrate to myself little things I observe that I would've otherwise just overlooked or just considered mundane. I think romanticizing life is a skill that I'm wanting to develop.

What do you love right now?

Really loving the late summer sunsets. Love sharing those with my partner. 

What do you hate right now?

Man, a loaded question. To keep it simple...cops. 

Looking ahead, what are your future aspirations as an artist? Are there any specific goals or musical directions you hope to explore in the coming years?

I really would love to help represent alternative music in our time. I'm just going to keep creating music that I feel evokes emotion and has an interesting sentiment. Life goal wise, I'd love to work with other folks that have this in common. Musically, I'm feeling inspired by 90's punk, grunge, folk and shoegaze so we'll see what that leads to with this first LP. I just want to see what can come out of this lifetime and I don't have heavy expectations of what that looks like honestly. I like the idea of just being a producer in the woods that is just kind of there into late years.