The past year has seen Australian indie-folk duo Luluc take their music from strength to strength in the city that never sleeps.
In July, Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett released the third Luluc studio album entitled 'Sculptor', which was recorded in their very own studio they built themselves in Brooklyn.
“We've been living in New York for eight years and for six of those years we were living in other people's places, trying to write and record when you've got to be quiet because there's people living above you and below you and next to you,” Zoe says.
“Now we've got a base in New York and our own workspace, we don't have anywhere near the number of hindrances.”
The increased workflow for Luluc means they've been able to produce new music much more quickly, with Zoe declaring she and Steve have already started work on their next album.
Zoe says the experience of living in New York has also had a significant effect on her own creativity as a songwriter. “New York is such a wild city and it almost feels like a portal to a different world, and that was very attractive to us,” she says.
“Australia is an amazing country and was a very good nurturing ground for us, but it did get to the point where we wanted to open ourselves out… the thing that's nice about being away from home is that you form such a strong connection to Australia.”
Luluc start 2019 back home in Australia with their headline album tour for 'Sculptor'. Zoe says the live shows are the best way to experience the music of Luluc, especially the new songs they've been working on most recently. “We've been able to develop our show; we're so excited to come home and play for the crowd and have them hear the songs live,” she says.
“It's one thing creating songs for a record, but the live performance of them is a whole other experience for us and the audience. The shows [in the US] have been going well so we can't wait... also some of the new songs are at the point where we can play them live.”
Zoe and Steve play their last US show for 2018 in Portland, Oregon mid-December before flying home to spend Christmas in Australia with friends and family.
After their national headline album tour in January, it's back Stateside and on to the rest of the world. “We did have a white Christmas last year in the States but this year we're coming home straight after that last show,” Zoe says.
“We drive back to New York then fly out the next day. We have a couple of weeks to catch up with everyone before we do the headline show in Australia, then we fly back to New York and straight over to the UK and Europe for a headline tour.”
Luluc Australia Tour 2019
Fri 11 Jan - Howler (Melbourne)Sat 12 Jan - Theatre Royal (Castlemaine)
Fri 18 Jan - Black Bear Lodge (Brisbane)
Sat 19 Jan - Four5Nine (Perth)
Sun 20 Jan - Mojo's Bar (Fremantle)
Fri 25 Jan - Leadbelly (Sydney)
Sun 27 Jan - Milton Theatre (South Coast)
