We Say…
We previously featured the music of Brighton-based songwriter, Lucy Feliz back in 2018, that was following the release of her debut album, Ancestry, shared under her previous musical moniker LosFeliz. Now operating under the name Lucy Feliz, Lucy has recently shared Magic Hour, the first single to be lifted from her upcoming album, Last Of The Sun, which is out in August on OK Pal Records.
It was not in Brighton, but New Zealand that Lucy recorded Last Of The Sun, working with acclaimed producer Ben Edwards at his Sitting Room Studios. The result is a record that marks a distinct departure for Lucy’s songwriting, moving away from the overtly personal into escapist dreamscapes and mythological explorations. It’s a theme evidenced in Magic Hour, a reflection on skipping school, “to practice astral projection in a teenage bedroom”. Magic Hour is a song that revels in escapism yet hints back at a wider frustration, a desire for something more exciting and magical, “than Catholic school and a conservative upbringing has to offer”. Musically, Magic Hour is a luscious slice of daydreaming pop; warm burbling keys punctuated by bright shards of electric guitar and Lucy’s effortlessly dreamy vocal, creating an atmosphere of pure window-gazing escapism. Already this feels like a real moment for Lucy Feliz, a casting-off of the old and embracing of the new, a trip half-way around the planet that casts fresh perspective of the land where she came from and asks seriously can we do things differently, can we do better.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who is Lucy Feliz?
Lucy Feliz is an artist from Brighton whose new album ‘Last Of The Sun’ will be out 28th August on OK Pal Records. She makes celestial dream pop, drenched in nostalgia, and the songs delve deep into her subconscious. She’s also a little bit pagan. Enjoying the dark art of tarot, astral projection and bathing in moonlight.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
All I really remember about my first show was the stressful aftermath! It was an all-dayer in a field in the middle of nowhere, so no phone signal.. and after my set I put my hand in my pocket to find the car keys, and my hand went straight through – no keys. So I was freaking out, practically running crop circles in the long grass, getting a bit feral… and a lovely shaman helped me find them. He suggested I close my eyes and guide him to where my journey started… the keys were under the car, of course! My second show was much better – a proper venue with dramatic stage lights. I just remember how rich and immersive everything sounded, how I wanted more of that.
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
It’s super therapeutic and natural to me, and also an art form I’ve never really trained in.. So it’s the purest creative outlet I have access to. I used to dance all the time, having up to nine classes a week throughout my childhood… and I studied design at art school. So taking music more seriously is quite new to me in the grand scheme of things. I always enjoyed having alone time with my Casio keyboard as a kid. Plugging in headphones and just going wild, for hours on end.. then cutting up cassette tapes for ballet routines. I think that’s where the music channel within really started – that freedom flow of expression you only get when no-one is watching or listening.
FTR: What can people expect from the Lucy Feliz live show?
A subtle blend of insecurity and sass. Sometimes it’s just me and my guitar, before lockdown we were a newly formed full band, and more recently at home with drummer Emily. I often go quite existential whilst inside a song and get pulled into the void. I love the immersive quality of being on stage, the spiritual atmosphere of people in a shared space.. and I try to and embrace the mood as much as possible. If there’s dry ice, projections, a Nag Champa incense stick burning in the corner, and a golden back drop, we’re all going to have GREAT time.
FTR: What’s next for Lucy Feliz?
Who really knows what’s around the corner these days. But fear not, things are happening. We’re releasing the next single ‘Last Laugh’ next month, which has already been sneakily featured on a BBC Working From Home Mix. We’ve been making some pretty creative music videos during lockdown… All in time for the ‘Last Of The Sun’ album release at the end of August. I’d love to say we have some real live shows planned… as soon as it’s safe to do so we will!
They Listen To…
Ella Fitzgerald – Summertime (1968)
I really love old music… Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Bobby Vinton and The Shangri-Las – But Ella is especially close to my heart. ’Summertime’ is the first song I recall actively learning verbatim, so I could sing parts of it whilst walking to nursery. I guess as a toddler I related to the imagery in a very transparent way; ‘with daddy and mummy standing by… fish are jumping’ … it’s a lullaby. Only when growing up I learned of her magnitude as a performer, how she played her voice like an instrument. The tone is so intimate, effortless and rich all at once.
Weyes Blood – Wild Time
I’ve listened to Weyes Blood since the early days of her Cardamom Times EP. I play her albums on long journeys… and always get so immersed in the sonic worlds she creates, sometimes I blink and it’s like I’ve been transported miles without realising I’ve been driving. This is her most recent video for Wild Time (shot on 16mm), and it’s for sensitive people “yearning for wildness and Mother Nature in times of chaos”. Very relatable right now.
Becca Mancari – First Time
We opened for Becca when she was touring her last album ‘Good Woman’. I really enjoyed the sound, and I’ve been following their musical journey since. I can’t wait for the new album, it has similar threads to lots of my favourites… Hand Habits, Big Thief, Julia Jacklin… I’m a fan.
Kikagaku Moyo – Ouchi Time
One of my favourite U.S labels is Mexican Summer. I don’t think they’ve put out anything that I don’t like. They’ve managed to tap me into their musical psyche and there is no turning back. During lockdown they’ve released this great compilation called Looking Glass, “focused on the human condition as reflected through remote connection”. And this one “Ouchi Time” means “time in the house”– it’s really atmospheric and ideal listening when sageing your space. All wrapped up with beautiful artwork by Bailey Elder, and profits go straight to artists or chosen charities.
Why Bonnie – Voice Box
I was at a Girl Pool gig in 2015, and I met a friend of a friend who ran Sports Day Records. I did some minor stalking and found this band ‘Why Bonnie’ all over their socials. I ‘really vibed it’ back in 2015 but kind of forgot about them for a few years. As soon as I heard their new music out on Fat Possum I was flung right back into fandom, and wishing I was in their band of course. Their aesthetic is great and I’m pining to see them live.
Last Of The Sun is out August 28th via OK Pal Records. Click HERE for more information on Lucy Feliz
For The Rabbits 