Music Box with Special Guest, Luke Striker[commercial break free]
Welcome to another episode of the Music Box. Today Luke Striker is stopping by for some Q&A. Awesome I know! Anyway without further adieu, ladies and gentleman please welcome Luke Striker!!!!!*audience applauds*
Luke, you were born in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1991, away from the bright lights of common playgrounds for the superstars of entertainment like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Vegas and Los Angeles, do you think the nature of where you have grown up has shaped who you are as a person in a positive way?Luke: *Laughs* In a sense I do believe that it has shaped up the type of person I am now, but I couldn't say in a positive or a negative way because every person grows up accordingly to their setting. I may be different from a person who grew up in New York, or LA... but it doesn't make them lesser of a person, you know what I mean? I certainly wasn't used to all the big cities I've seen so far and at the beginning of my career and it took some getting used to... but I eventually got used to everything.
What were the benefits of growing up in North Carolina, did you ever feel like a career in music wasn’t a likely option because of where you were from?Luke: I do. People always told me I needed to go to "bigger cities" to be able to have a chance at the big time, and I always felt they were sort trying to kill my hopes... even though they were giving their opinions. Just because I'm not from one of those cities doesn't mean I don't have a chance, it just might mean I may have a harder time getting up the ladder. I moved to Los Angeles to further my career and in turn it became one of the best decision of my life.
You first started to gain attention around May 2011 at the same time as a group of young musicians that were coming onto the scene with the likes of Mandy Williams, Dominic Brown, Isabel Merjos and Hayden Merjos, did you ever feel pressure to compete against their own achievements?Luke: Absolutely not. I never feel like there's any type of pressure because I'm not here to compete with others. I'm here to be a musician and to make music for all my amazing fans out there. To feel pressure competing against others is just pointless in my opinion. What I will say is that each of the people you stated are very accomplished and talented artists. In stead of me going " Aw man I gotta do better than them", I rather root them on because we're all here making it in this tough business, so there's really a respective type of spirit, not really a competitive one. We all have a bit of competitiveness, it's just in our human nature but it's not like I'm destined to be more successful then them *laughs*. I'm my own biggest competitor.
You made no secret later in 2011 about the difficulties that you’ve had with regards to really establishing yourself but you independently released ‘Come Back Home Someday’ to massive success, it’s fair to say that with that song you finally found your niche and claimed your first moments of real glory with the song, how did you feel after the reception was so positive?Luke: It was very overwhelming. I remember, the song was a last minute thing. We were initially going to go with a different song to you know, just put on the internet for the fans to stream and listen to. But when Come Back Home Someday literally took of like a rocket, I was so surprised. I was kind of like, "wow, this is really happening and I just got my first taste of success.....this sure tastes good". *laughs* I was just really excited to really start stepping up my game, since I got noticed in such a surprising way.
Did you feel as soon as the song had the success that it had that a label would sign you up rather quickly?Luke: I was thinking hopefully! *Laughs* I didn't exactly NEED a label, but the support is always a big help, but if I garnered success independently with Come Back Home Someday, I figured, if a deal didn't come along then that obviously wouldn't stop me. But soon enough, a label approached me.
The label of course being Studio60 which also happens to be the home of Isabel, Hayden, Mandy Williams, Jennifer Armstrong, Ellie-Grace Summers and a whole host of talented youngsters, did you think that they were the ideal fit for you?Luke: I feel like Studio60 was the perfect place for me. They have a great foundation of artists and their artists also have freedom on their projects and what not. I just feel like they were one of the best out of the major labels that are out there. It was essential that I sign to Studio60 and I felt as if they were the best place for me. They also seem great in finding a good place for younger musicians like myself and others to sign to. So trusted the label, and I'm happy I've signed there.
You then marked your signing to the label with ‘Your Conflicted Heart’ which featured Jennifer Armstrong, what was it like to work alongside someone that is also part of this young group of successful musicians?Luke: Jennifer is an incredibly talented musician and it was really a blast working with her. She may be young but she certainly knows what she's doing and I had a really good time working with her. She's and when we came together, Your Conflicted Heart, was born and I also gained a new friend. I always appreciate working with good because not only does the music turn out to be stellar, but you also form a friendship, and in that case Jen and I became good friends.
She’s a talented and beautiful young woman, it would be foolish of me to ask, did anything happen between the two of you, did sparks fly?Luke: Ah *laughs*, I wouldn't push my luck. She is beautiful but she's engaged. It may come as a total bummer but I'm a respectable type of guy and all we did was talk, on a friendly level.
The difficulties that many artists have is remaining consistent, it’s a constant burden for musicians to have continued success, is that something you worry about?Luke: No, if a particular artist lives that way then I feel bad for them. Always pressuring yourself just to be successful could be really draining and stressful. All I care about is continually pleasing my fans and outdoing myself as a musician, success is always great but if your pleasing your fans and their behind you, you shouldn't have to worry about having it or not. As long as your doing what you have to do as a musician, that should be a really light burden, if any type of weight at all *laughs*
You enlisted the help of your label for ‘Everybody Wants You’ as it was written and produced by Julian Morello, who has slowly been making a name for himself recently, did you enjoy the collaborative situation or do you prefer to work independently?Luke: Collaborations are always fun and interesting. Two ideas coming together to make one product. It really doesn't matter to be.. Julian and I had very similar ideas so it was a breeze working with him, I told him what I needed and he just did it perfectly, with his ideas spreading across it as well, it worked really well. Working independently is always your own thoughts and ideas and when its a final product, you tend to appreciate the work you've done solely or by yourself, a bit more. I'm not saying I don't appreciate the final product of Everybody Wants You because it's an excellent piece of work but you always feel that much more proud of the work you've done alone as to with a barrage of people behind it, that's why I swayed away from too many people being on my album. It's not really needed.
He was also listed as a producer for your album, what did your production team bring to the table when it came down to recording your debut album?Luke: Aside from myself being one of the producers, I have three others that I'm working with. Like I said before, I really didn't feel the need to enlist a large group of producers because their not exactly needed. I just wanted authentic, legit material. With instruments and clean vocals, mixed with real situations that were written for this album. I wanted a very natural sound...I wanted it to be raw and truthful. It has a very alternative rock core, but really sways into a pop/rock territory.
It has been a very long-awaited debut album, what can you tell us about the album, what sort of theme’s occur throughout your first full-length release?Luke: It has been very long awaited! But I think it well worth the weight. The album is very truthful, I think I dug deep to talk about the things us young guys talk about. I speak about growing up in a small town like Jacksonville, North Carolina and the transition from back then until now. I have a track call "The Best That I Can Be" that conveys that message perfectly and is one of my favorites on the album. Another theme on this album is love and heartbreak. I've run into so many types of loves and heartbreaks in my lifetime that really pumped out amazing song writing, and tracks. So Love & Heartbreak really plays a huge part on the album and I know many people will be able to relate to this album and that's why I'm so proud of that. There's nothing worse then making music that your fans cannot connect with, and with this album the connection between listener and musician is very strong. So expect to be taken on a journey with I, Luke Striker on the "Your Conflicted Heart" album! *laughs*
Is there anybody in the industry that you’d like to work with in the future?Luke: One day I'd like to work with Ellie Grace Summers, I don't know, she has a really great voice and I certainly think we can make something excellent in the studio if we did come together. I hope Ellie's watching *smiles*. And maybe when I really get up there, I'd like to work with Katie Coyle. Such an incredible artist, I doubt she even knows who I am... *laughs*
And finally, when can we expect to see Luke Striker on tour?Luke: I'll be heading on tour with Vanity in August for her Good Mourning Tour! But after I do the European Dates as apart of her tour, I'll be heading on a headlining tour of my own. So expect plenty of touring in the following months after the album is release, I'm very excited.
Well thank you Luke for stopping by today, it was a great pleasure. Hope to see back again in the near future. That's our show for today but tune in next week for another great episode of the Music Box. Until then, see ya! 