Lucky Sun (aka Tom Lown) is best known for his super-deep productions which have been released on labels such as Lost My Dog, UM Records, Delve Deeper Records, and his own Lucky Sun Recordings. Tom released his debut album Olive Street under his Lucky Sun moniker a couple of years ago, receiving high praise from DJ Mag (5/5) and a host of worldwide DJs including Ashley Beedle, Colin Dale, Vanilla Ace, Lars Behrenroth, DJ Pippi, Sean Dimitrie and many more.
Now, as Lucky Sun presents his latest project, EG caught up with the artist to learn more about the release of his sophomore album ‘Balance’, the recording process and inspirations for the new LP, and much more.
EG: Hi Tom! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. Where are you based right now? How have you been?
Lucky Sun: A pleasure to be here too. After a long time in London and a bit in New York, I’m now based just outside Cambridge, UK. After an up and down couple of years, really excited to drop the new album.
EG: Congratulations on the drop of your sophomore album, ‘Balance’! What has the initial reception been like?
Lucky Sun: Thanks. I’ve been really bowled over with the response so far. Some really nice words from DJs all over and some great press reviews, so pretty chuffed.
EG: ‘Balance’ is quite a powerful notion. What’s the inspiration or general concept behind the LP?
Lucky Sun: Balance does sound powerful. Although, it’s meant to be that calm spot when balancing life – the rough with the smooth, the yin and the yang… The concept is a listening album that you can hear from start to finish but has a variety of vibes, feelings, and different bpm’s. Inspiration comes from dance floors, beaches, poolside, and home stereo listening sessions.
EG: How long has ‘Balance’ been in the works? What was the recording process like? Did you start off with a clear concept or did it come along with every passing session? Did you try any new processes?
Lucky Sun: From start to finish about 2 years – but with a lot of start stops. Some tracks evolve real quick and some a lot slower. The recording process with both vocalists Alison David and Frank H. Carter III was very similar. Around 80% of the track was done, which I’d send for them to write and record their parts. There was some back and forth with different parts and ideas while producing and mixing until the tracks were done. I’m still blown away by both of their performances and talent. The concept was pretty clear but was done as a track-by-track thing. This was a new process for me and it felt more collaborative.
“Balance does sound powerful. Although, it’s meant to be that calm spot when balancing life – the rough with the smooth, the yin and the yang…”
EG: What can your fans expect to find on ‘Balance’? How has your sound evolved since the release of your debut LP, ‘Olive Street’?
Lucky Sun: Expect to find the 3 singles: ‘Deep Love (feat. Alison David)’, ‘Rain and Sunshine (feat. Alison David)’; and ‘Sunrise (feat. Frank H Carter III)’, and a previously unreleased 3rd collaboration with Alison called ‘Calling You In’. Some warm, Balearic-type sounds and beats and a mid-tempo deep house chugger called ‘Sunset’, which features some really lovely trumpet playing by Porgie from Cornwall – and a few other tasty deep electronica type bits.
EG: Two particular pieces, ‘Vocoblo Resano’ and ‘Calling You In’, have caught our attention. What can you tell us about these specific cuts?
Lucky Sun: ‘Vocoblo Resano’ is the name of a place in Italy I visited with a beautiful outdoor pool, where I walked around recording sounds of splashing and laughing of friends and family – you can hear this in the lush breakdown. It has slower beats but with a driving bass so would fit either a nice terrace or poolside lounge. It’s also the 3rd track on my guest mix. ‘Calling You’ In is the 3rd collab with Alison David – as mentioned above – it’s slightly different in vibe with broken, breaks deep-tech beats, and Alison’s otherworldly harmonies. This started life as something very different which was then stripped down and built back up again.
EG: What would be the perfect setting to listen to ‘Balance’? Are there any particular recommendations you’d give us in order to enjoy ‘Balance’ at its fullest?
Lucky Sun: The perfect setting for listening would be somewhere nice to chill with your favorite tipple and friends and enough room to also throw some shapes if you feel like it. All this, preferably, with a sunset!
EG: The pandemic gave us all a chance to slow down and reassess. In the electronic music scene, it even gave us time for some much-needed discussions. What would you like to see more and less of?
Lucky Sun: It would be great to hear artists try new things but mainly make music for the love of it – less of the bandwagon jumping and carbon copy type music.
“The concept is a listening album that you can hear from start to finish but has a variety of vibes, feelings, and different bpm’s. Inspiration comes from dance floors, beaches, poolside, and home stereo listening sessions”
EG: What’s next for Lucky Sun and your Lucky Sun Recordings? What particular milestones are you looking forwards to now?
Lucky Sun: A big milestone is the release of this album as it’s been a long time coming! I’m on a roll now so will crack on with the 3rd album! On the way is ‘Balance – Remixed’, which features some brilliant remixes by Sumsuch, Alvaro Hylander, Ezra Collins, Jero Nougues, Al Bradley, Kanedo & Sumsuch, Tim Haze, and Frederick Alonso. Also, coming soon on the label is a stunning 4-track EP from US deep house producer Ezra Collins and also an EP from label regular Domestic Science under his new hat Alpha Citizens.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Tom! We wish you all the best for the future.
Lucky Sun: Really appreciate you having me – thanks 🙂
Lucky Sun’s new ‘Balance’ LP is out now. Purchase your copy here.
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