Could you share the story behind your latest song and what inspired its creation?
Courage of my Youth was inspired by the struggles of becoming an adult and how everything was a little bit easier when we kids. It’s a song inspired by the struggles of life and the ups and downs of growing up. I wrote the song when I was going through some personal battles.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I write songs in a couple of different ways. Typically, my songs are drawn from everyday conversations. Maybe it’s a comment I hear in passing or words from personal conversations. Usually I’ll write and try to just get the thoughts on paper. The idea of the song comes from the emotion of the words, and the lyrics come after. I try my best to go for conversational lyrics – and sometimes that’s not easy. Using logical thought seems to be the best way to get there – and then develop the lyric as an artform after you have the true meaning of the song.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
The balance is super delicate. On one hand you want to make art for yourself, and on. The other hand you want some form of external validation from the world. So you really have to find ways to get both.
I try to never make something just for “other people”. On the flip side, I try to write songs that are true and personal to me, and then redesign them in a unique way that could still hold a commercial appeal.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Navigating the noisy industry. There are so many songs being released daily by amazing artists and people around the world are getting bombarded regularly with new music to listen to. How do you stand out above everyone else? I think it’s a struggle that many independent artists fight with.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I like collboarting with people because the open my eyes to things I might not see/hear. In my experience, everytime I collaborate with someone, we get a fresh take on any idea that’s presented. No ones experience in life is the same so having those unique perspectives surrounding you helps shape the art in a way that one singular mind could not imagine. I always write better songs when collaborating for this reason.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Not enough of a role. It’s really useful when you focus your energy and time on it. Lately I’ve found myself being drawn less and less away from social media and techniology and trying to make in person connections. It might not be the best way to get famous – but I’m not trying to be famous. Im trying to be me, live a happy and healthy life, and create art.
Technology though is the best follow up after a good in person connection. So I use it mostly to maintain relationships.
Are there any particular artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
Not one in particular. I really love soulful artists, whether their modern or oldies. Everyday I find myself inspired by new musician around me who break through the noise.
Indie musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I do a lot of it by having in person connection and personally inviting people to shows. A lot of my fans like the in person experience. It seems a lot of my fans love high quality merchandise – so constantly having new merchandise has worked well in the past.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
I played to a room of 2 people one time. I’ve played in front of hundreds, and even thousands before. But nothing hits you harder then a room with two people. I gave it my all, made sure to talk to them and connect, and thank them for coming out. Those people still support me to this day and I learned the value of treating every audience with the same level of respect and showmanship.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
It’s a double edged sword. One side of it that’s helpful is that anyone and everyone can stream your music. One thing that makes it difficult is that everyone and anyone can release music. So cutting through the noise and market saturation has become increasingly difficult. One thing I do like is it encourages new, original music that’s unique and can capture attention. So the changing landscape is benefitting the art as a whole, and maybe the artists a little less.
Lucas Roy’s new single ”’Courage of my Youth” will be available on streaming platforms on May 31, 2024