Jae Luna, a Korean-American producer and singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA., is a visionary in the realm of alternative music. His distinctive style merges hints of lo-fi, electronic, and hip-hop alongside his honeyed vocals to create a unique soundscape. Drawing from his own personal narrative, Luna infuses his music with poignant storytelling, exploring themes of heartbreak and anxiety with a profound sense of self-awareness and vulnerability.
With each release, he delves deeper into the reconciliation of life experiences, intertwining them with the challenges and triumphs he has encountered as a musician. Jae Luna’s artistry is a testament to the power of music as a medium for introspection and connection, leaving an indelible mark on the alternative music scene. I’m so lucky to have been able to talk with Luna about his background, his songwriting process, and the evolution of his music.
about caffeinated corner:
Caffeinated Corner was created to replicate the feeling of chatting at coffee shops with new friends. From the warm taste of coffee, the slightly chaotic energy of the espresso machines, to the life stories shared, caffeinated corner aims to replicate this environment online. Join me as we talk with different artists about their favorite things, stories from their childhood, and new projects on the horizon.
take a look at our interview with Jae Luna below:
Sidney: Hi! Just starting off a little casual icebreaker or two, how are you doing?
Jae Luna: Haha, I’m good! It’s beautiful and sunny today, can’t complain. How are you?
S: I’m doing pretty good! What are some of your favorite song you’re listening to right now?
JL: Oh man, that’s always a tough one. I’m super addicted to “Garden Song” by Phoebe Bridgers at the moment. I’m also diving into industrial right now, so I’ve been bumping “Chained to a Dead Camel” by Clouds as well. Additionally, I’m bumping that new Pachinko album and JPEGMAFIA/Danny Brown album as well.
S: Wow, I love the range. All of those are pretty solid choices. Just one last icebreaker before I dive into the bigger questions–what is your go-to coffee order?
JL: I love iced americanos! More specifically, a short iced americano from the single origin hopper if they have one. I like a washed process.
S: Oooh, that’s interesting. Alright, so, I read somewhere recently that your name is an alias. Can you tell me about that? What inspired your stage name?
JL: Yeah, sure. Jae Luna is a stage name, and it comes from my middle name, Jaemoon. I’m Korean, and for a long time, I really rejected/resented my heritage. I think I had a hard time reconciling being American and Korean, haha. I was using a different alias when I first started making music, but I took a class on the Korean Diaspora in college and suddenly felt like I wasn’t being honest with myself, from the way I looked to where I came from. Because I was singing more in my songs, I wanted a name that sounded more like a name rather than what I had at the time. I settled with Jae Luna because I thought it sounded pretty, and my given name is a little too common.
S: That’s super interesting. Thank you for sharing that with me. Can you walk me through your songwriting process? Do you spend more time putting the music together or writing lyrics?
JL: Lyrics 1000%. Lyrics kill me! I think in general, the songs that end up finished are songs that I write first. It’s best when I just write with a guitar or piano and write it all the way through. I try to have the concept be clear and the lyrics build around that concept. Until that’s finished, I don’t even try to touch the production; or at least that’s how most of my favorite songs end up being written. I was a producer first, so I think when I produce a song first, I get really lost in how a song sounds or can be, rather than the actual substance of the song.
S: Are there any themes that you lean towards writing about?
JL: I don’t know if I’d call it a theme, but I think I find myself writing a lot about the things that break me or have me questioning if what I’m doing is the right thing to be doing in life.
S: Ah, yes. I totally get that. What inspires you when you’re creating music?
JL: I think, lyrically, I’m inspired by my life or the experiences that keep me human–strong emotions or life-changing events. I think generally though, what inspires me to start is the just listening to a lot of music. I get stuck in a trance hearing what other people have done and think about what I would do differently.
S: Nice. Are there any artists that have specifically inspired/influenced you as a musician?
JL: Haha, yes. There are so many talented artists that I’m inspired by. Frank Ocean, Phoebe Bridgers, Young Thug, James Blake, Flying Lotus, Area, Sophie, Radiohead, and Alex G are some who come to mind. There’s honestly too many to count.
S: You honestly have great music taste, haha. Those are also some of my favorite artists. Circling back to you, I really enjoyed one of your latest releases, “cyanide.” It seems a bit slower and almost more acoustic than your previous releases. Do you think your music has evolved throughout your time as a singer-songwriter?
JL: Thank you! Yeah, absolutely. I think in the beginning, I kind of wrote lyrics to serve my productions, which led to some cool songs. However, I find a lot of my older songs to be unfocused and a bit messy for a lack of a better word. I still love them, though. I feel that “cyanide” is kind of ushering in a new era where I’m proud of where I feel, like my productions serve the song/lyrics, and everything feels a little more cohesive.
S: Totally. Is there anything you aim to accomplish in your career? Are there any artists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
JL: Haha, a ton! Some fun ones that come to mind I feel like would be Blink 182, Ty Dolla $ign, Imogen Heap, Machinedrum, Rina Sawayama, beabadoobee, and Tigers Jaw. Honestly, I’d love to work with soooo many people, especially people outside of my “genre.”
S: Is there a specific city or venue you’d like to perform at?
JL: I’d love to play in Bangkok! I know I have a lot of listeners there, and I’ve always wanted to visit.
S: Awesome! Do you have any new music or projects on the horizon?
JL: I have an EP currently rolling out, although I guess that was supposed to be a little bit of a secret, haha/ It’s called Good Sense, and it’ll be released in the summer. It has some of my favorite songs to date on it, and I’m so excited to share!
S: That’s so exciting, I can’t wait!
daybreak 