As a teaser of Lucianblomkamp's upcoming live tour, heading around the east coast of Australia beginning this week, we're premiering a live clip filmed within Goodtime Studios showcasing the latest single "From Afar", fleshed out in full band mode. Speaking the week ahead of the tour, Lucianblomkamp recounts his journey to Melbourne, sadness and mortality, and what lies ahead.THUMP: You're Originally from Cape Town, South Africa. How did Melbourne become home and has it always been music for you?
Lucianblomkamp: South Africa is an absolutely beautiful place in so many aspects, although the transition to Australia was pretty eye-opening as far as the amount of independence and opportunities a young person can have in comparison. I still miss Cape Town though. I don't go back often enough. But yes, it's pretty much solely been music since day one. I started playing violin when I was six and the rest is history.Being classically trained in the violin for over 15 years now – do you find composing sounds lends to the ethereal voice your music has – even without lyrics it still speaks the sadness?
Perhaps, but if so it's completely unintentional. I almost never reference back to classical music when I'm writing, although it wouldn't be too surprising if it were subconsciously making a difference. I guess after so many years of solely playing classical music it'd make sense.Post Nature went in on the powerful ideas of mortality – is there a fear of death that lingers with you and where are you taking your inspiration for the new album due 2016?
Definitely. As lame as it sounds, I guess everyone has that point in their life when they truly realise that death is inevitable. For me this realisation took place during the time I was writing Post-Nature. Since then I think I've moved on a little, as long as I keep busy. Unfortunately Bad Faith is just as angsty though. Although the subject matter has changed, I can't say it's any less pessimistic.The first taste of the impending body of work is "From Afar", packed with ominous atmosphere, would I be wrong in saying this one is washed with introspective reflection?
Not that the subject matter of 'Post-Nature' was necessarily conceptual, but I suppose the one difference between the two albums is that 'Bad Faith' is almost entirely introspective and all of the songs are simply about myself. For me, a large part of music-making is about getting to know myself better. So from that perspective I guess it makes sense that so much of my work is solely introspective.From Post-Nature to today – what's different about your future release and how have things changed for you?
Over time the sound has definitely come into its own. I think that might be the biggest difference actually. Post-Nature constantly really jumped around stylistically, and while I still play with a lot of different themes/styles on Bad Faith, I think the new sound is far more concise. It's really validating to look back on a year of work and be able to see that you've grown as a musician.What do you think is the most important component when it comes to making music, or just generally doing anything creative?
It sounds almost too cliche to mention, but I think all art essentially boils down to passion. Even if you're the most technically proficient producer/singer/instrumentalist, it all means nothing if your work is uninspired. People can pick out true passion and emotion even when the technicality isn't there. From that point I suppose the next most important thing is trying to figure out a way to express your thoughts in a way that other people can connect with. But even that is hugely secondary by comparison.Do you find your knowledge of musical arrangement helps explore confronting themes and convey them through sound?
As far as musical content, I find it very easily to express myself through music. Over time it's pretty much become a no-brainer. Although despite what I just said, I don't think I convey my thoughts in the form of lyrical content effectively whatsoever. I guess I'm currently in that middle ground of figuring out how to put my thoughts into words. Hopefully my lyrics don't put anyone off.If you could pick only one from of expression to explore for the rest of mankind, what would it be and why?
Music, obviously. Like I said earlier, it's pretty much solely been music since day one. I'm not saying it's necessarily the be all to end all art forms, but rather that it's the best way for me to express myself.What's next for Lucianblomkamp?
I'm really excited for this tour coming this week. It's been a long time since I've played a headline show and this will be my first headlining tour. I'm just excited to show everyone what I've been working on. Aside from that though, there will be some new singles coming out very shortly. THUMP presents Lucianblomkamp's "From Afar" Australian tour: October 23 // Northcote Social Club // Melbourne VIC
October 29 // Black Bear Lodge // Brisbane QLD
October 30 // GoodGod Small Club // Sydney NSW Lucianblomkamp on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter
Lucianblomkamp: South Africa is an absolutely beautiful place in so many aspects, although the transition to Australia was pretty eye-opening as far as the amount of independence and opportunities a young person can have in comparison. I still miss Cape Town though. I don't go back often enough. But yes, it's pretty much solely been music since day one. I started playing violin when I was six and the rest is history.
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Perhaps, but if so it's completely unintentional. I almost never reference back to classical music when I'm writing, although it wouldn't be too surprising if it were subconsciously making a difference. I guess after so many years of solely playing classical music it'd make sense.Post Nature went in on the powerful ideas of mortality – is there a fear of death that lingers with you and where are you taking your inspiration for the new album due 2016?
Definitely. As lame as it sounds, I guess everyone has that point in their life when they truly realise that death is inevitable. For me this realisation took place during the time I was writing Post-Nature. Since then I think I've moved on a little, as long as I keep busy. Unfortunately Bad Faith is just as angsty though. Although the subject matter has changed, I can't say it's any less pessimistic.The first taste of the impending body of work is "From Afar", packed with ominous atmosphere, would I be wrong in saying this one is washed with introspective reflection?
Not that the subject matter of 'Post-Nature' was necessarily conceptual, but I suppose the one difference between the two albums is that 'Bad Faith' is almost entirely introspective and all of the songs are simply about myself. For me, a large part of music-making is about getting to know myself better. So from that perspective I guess it makes sense that so much of my work is solely introspective.
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Over time the sound has definitely come into its own. I think that might be the biggest difference actually. Post-Nature constantly really jumped around stylistically, and while I still play with a lot of different themes/styles on Bad Faith, I think the new sound is far more concise. It's really validating to look back on a year of work and be able to see that you've grown as a musician.What do you think is the most important component when it comes to making music, or just generally doing anything creative?
It sounds almost too cliche to mention, but I think all art essentially boils down to passion. Even if you're the most technically proficient producer/singer/instrumentalist, it all means nothing if your work is uninspired. People can pick out true passion and emotion even when the technicality isn't there. From that point I suppose the next most important thing is trying to figure out a way to express your thoughts in a way that other people can connect with. But even that is hugely secondary by comparison.Do you find your knowledge of musical arrangement helps explore confronting themes and convey them through sound?
As far as musical content, I find it very easily to express myself through music. Over time it's pretty much become a no-brainer. Although despite what I just said, I don't think I convey my thoughts in the form of lyrical content effectively whatsoever. I guess I'm currently in that middle ground of figuring out how to put my thoughts into words. Hopefully my lyrics don't put anyone off.If you could pick only one from of expression to explore for the rest of mankind, what would it be and why?
Music, obviously. Like I said earlier, it's pretty much solely been music since day one. I'm not saying it's necessarily the be all to end all art forms, but rather that it's the best way for me to express myself.What's next for Lucianblomkamp?
I'm really excited for this tour coming this week. It's been a long time since I've played a headline show and this will be my first headlining tour. I'm just excited to show everyone what I've been working on. Aside from that though, there will be some new singles coming out very shortly. THUMP presents Lucianblomkamp's "From Afar" Australian tour: October 23 // Northcote Social Club // Melbourne VIC
October 29 // Black Bear Lodge // Brisbane QLD
October 30 // GoodGod Small Club // Sydney NSW Lucianblomkamp on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter