Kid of the Star System – Luminous

By starrymag | January 17, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I’d say a fusion of nostalgia blended with modern elements. Though genre wise… Alternative/Rap/Rock/Pop.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Some of my influences are Linkin Park, Eminem, Daft Punk, Childish Gambino, Lamb of God and Michael Jackson.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Horizon Double Negative.”

 

A) “Horizon Double Negative” simply started out with small statements to myself…

‘How do I utilize my imagination? How do I wish to create my own reality/circumstances/outcomes?’

The line/lyric “Do you know my mind,” alluding to, “Do you know what I’m capable of?”

 

Q) This song has become such a bop. What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Thank you. Hopefully they are connecting with how powerful the song can make them feel.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) You see a lot of the anime characters unleashing their power or realizing there’s more to them than meets the eye.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I have no strict process, as I’m not into limiting what comes into my mind first. I just work around whatever comes out.

It could be the melody that comes into play or the lyrics or a beat looping in my head. There are no rules. I just let it all flow, however it needs to, and then I structure it after.

It’s like a fun mind puzzle, almost like playing a video game and aligning the pieces accordingly. You’ve sometimes gotta Tetris or Zelda that sh*t.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) All of it, it’s all me. I’m very particular about how I want things to sound.

 

Q) Your new album Luminous is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) The main themes are self-discovery/awareness, conflict (within oneself and with others), power, freedom and love.

 

Q) Which song(s) on the album hold a special significance for you and what makes them hold a place in your heart?

 

A) “Million Miles, Million Smiles” –  this track almost got yeeted and deleted from the album until I took a step back, stripped it down and re-arranged the f*ck out of it. The main message of the song is to just go out and enjoy the absolute everything out of life and win no matter what.

“VS Self” – is literally me having a 1-1 mind battle with myself. [teary eyed]

“Horizon Double Negative” – I almost passed out recording the last section of the song. Really just feel as though we can all unleash and let go with this one.

Q) Were there any tracks on the album that maybe challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) All of the ones mentioned above.

One allowed me to not give up, strip back and rearrange to make it better overall. (“Million Miles, Million Smiles”)

The other had me twisting and turning on the flow of lyrical delivery. (“VS Self”)

And the final one had me really push myself vocally until I got what I wanted to hear out of myself. (“Horizon Double Negative”)

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners that explore Luminous as a whole?

 

A) I want listeners to be left with a sense that they can do anything in life that they put their minds to.

 

Q) With this album out now, will you be performing live and even possibly going out on tour?

 

A) I will definitely be doing some live shows with some of the tracks from Luminous in the new year.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) My little home studio is my ultimate favorite. Oher than that, any stage really. It just turns into my own personal playground where everyone is invited and all the fun happens, everyone plays.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Oh boy… It’s times like this where I still wish Chester Bennington and Michael Jackson were still around (R.i.P).

My top 10 for future collab wants are…

Pharrell, Childish Gambino, Doechii, Lamb of God, Billie Eilish, Babymetal, Polyphia, Eminem, Ariana Grande and Alison Wonderland.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) Just because this song was my most played, I’ve gotta shout out Zahir for the blessed track “Unusual.” WHAT. A. TUNE. Thank me later.

I’ve also recently discovered a metal band called Slaughter to Prevail. The drums slap, the guitars slap and the vocals slap and destroy. I absolutely love them.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for taking the time to listen, bounce and move through life with me.

We’ve got this – Connect and Conquer.