Winter’s Coming is out now!
Image: Clay Westcott.
Bedroom-pop artist Lucca Dohr recently dropped his single Winter’s Coming. We caught up with the musician to chat about the release, working on the track with Ben Chandler, his 2022 plans and so much more.
Could you tell us a bit about your background in music and what led you to pursuing a career in music?
I’ve been playing music my entire life. I first started playing drums when I was 6 years old and had a drum set in my room. I used to put on my headphones and play along to classic rock like The Beatles, Bowie, Queen, and pretty much anything that was downloaded on my iPod touch. I’ve always loved music and I eventually picked up guitar, piano, and bass just for fun. I started writing/producing music at the beginning of high school and it was very secretive for me. I didn’t tell anyone, until I played some of my friends my music and they encouraged me to release it. Ever since then I’ve just gotten more and more obsessed with making music and it’s become a real passion of mine.
Congratulations on your single Winter’s Coming! Tell us a bit about the conceptual nature of the track and what prompted you to document on this particular track?
I never really go into a song with a specific concept. I just try to write what is truthful to me. At the time, I was dealing with my mental health and trying to manage a relationship, so I suppose that prompted me to write the lyrics I did.
Winter’s Coming was co-written and produced with Ben Chandler. How did that collaboration come about and what do you think he brought to the track?
Ben is very rhythmic. His feel is really vibey on the guitar, bass and drums. He really brought that fun pop produced element that I haven’t delved too far into in terms of production. My manager knew of his music and thought we’d make something cool together so she set up a zoom session for us and we took it from there!
The song sees you enter a more pop based sonic realm. What prompted that reroute of styles?
I think it’s important for artists to constantly be updating and changing their sound. I never want to be comfortable with the sounds I am making. I always want to be pushing myself into an area of music that is new to me. Sometimes I feel like it’s easier to be more vulnerable when I am working in an area that I haven’t worked in before.
The track arrives alongside an official visualiser. Can you walk us through your process when it comes to conceptualising your visuals and how involved are you with the development of the visuals?
The Winter’s Coming video was my first proper music video so it was definitely a challenge to pull off. I worked with my friend Noah Tibazi who directed the video and we went back and forth over ideas for a couple of weeks. He really helped me conceptualize what was in my head. I knew I wanted the video to incorporate some sort of set, which I designed with my friend Juaqin Motajbai in my living room. I wanted to basically make a set of what my brain feels like. I knew that whatever was going to be made had to be honest to my life, so I incorporated my own drawings, paintings, journals, instruments, and furniture. I
What’s one line from the song you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
I like the lyric “I’m always sad at night. Do you know?”. It’s an extreme lyric in the sense that night takes up half of our time, so I guess that implies that half of the time I am sad. The fact that it is constant is also very unsettling. The lyric “Do you know” is a very special lyric to me because it’s actually a reference to one of the first songs I ever wrote. I always wanted to use that lyric for something and it just fit into that moment, so I am happy with that.
How do you feel your music speaks to listeners, and what messages do you hope they take away from the song?
I feel as though my listeners relate to the situations or emotions behind my music. I hope my music makes my listener’s day a little easier. I’d say overall a good message to spread is that you are not alone.
Could you talk us through your creative process when writing and recording songs?
Every track is different these days. Sometimes I’ll start with some lyrics, sometimes a produced track, and sometimes just a piano or a guitar. No matter the situation I will re-write and re-write until the right musical element comes to life. It’s important to play and try new and different things. I’ve found that some of my favorite moments are when I do something that I haven’t done before. Usually it’s lyrical or melodic, as I tend to like very specific changes and chords. A lot of times I’ll make a couple of songs that end up just being warm ups for the actual piece I am trying to make.
What can we expect from you for 2022?
Fans can expect a lot of releases for 2022. As of now I have eight songs lined up from January through November.
With everything that’s been happening in the world touring has changed, what are your 2021 touring plans, what can fans expect from a live show, and is there a chance we’ll see you performing in Australia when you are able to do so?
Fortunately, live shows are opening back up again so I am super excited to get some more experience under my belt when it comes to live shows. Planning on playing plenty of shows in NYC and LA for now, but hopefully one day I’ll make it all the way over to Australia!
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
The Beatles - Beach Boys - Elliot Smith - The Lemon Twigs - Harry Nillson - Mac Demarco.
Dream collaboration?
Donald Glover.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Abbey Road - The Beatles.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Melodic, Honest, Melancholy.
Best song of 2021 so far?
Industry Baby - Lil Nas X
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
I would be keen to make a soundtrack that is very different from the music I release under my artist profile - so something really experimental. Maybe an Ingmar Bergman film.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Hannah Montana.
A song you would love to cover on tour?
Something super fun and rocking. Maybe like Someday by The Strokes.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
All My Heroes Are Cornballs - JPEGMAFIA
First concert you went to?
The Lemon Twigs in Los Angeles.
Best concert you have been to?
Anderson .Paak at the Forum was a really good one.
First album you ever bought?
I’ve never really bought a vinyl record, but I definitely bought some of The Black Eyed Peas and Gorillaz records on iTunes as a kid.
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
I don’t know either too well, so I guess a Backstreet Boy.
Most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
Just opened for Daisy at Elsewhere Zone in Brooklyn and that without a doubt is my most memorable show.
Guilty music pleasure?
I have a private playlist on Spotify called “Trash but low-key fye” full of guilty pleasure music. They’re mostly just early 2010’s pop songs from my childhood.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
There are so many artists I would love to support, but I think
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Right now I think Frank Ocean has a lot of influence on the music industry.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
I would say to keep doing what you’re doing and to never give up. Patience and Persistence for my future self.
Winter’s Coming is out now!