The first encounter with Laune, a South Korean singer-songwriter, producer, and DJ, happened during Oceanfromtheblue’s European tour, where he accompanied him as a DJ. A month later, our paths crossed again, this time in Seoul. Engaging in conversation with Laune was a joy. Not only do his songs hold stories, but his entire life seems to be intertwined with artistic ventures and a passion for music. 

While chatting with Laune, I could feel and see how strong his connection with music is. From the genesis of his career to the depths of personal experiences ingrained in his lyrics, the artist shared his story without holding back. 

In the exploration of Laune’s discography, he also dived into the emotions behind songs such as Not Your Fault, Tearing Down, Illusion, and Scent. Each song is a chapter and discovery of his personal experiences, vulnerability, and the universal themes of love and loss. And, as Laune pushes forward with new projects and diverse music in the pipeline, I am waiting for his next musical chapter. 

View of the Arts: Before discussing your music, how did you get into it? Have you started writing music and producing it first or was it singing that caught your attention before anything else? What’s your story?

Laune: During my upbringing, my family frequently relocated, leading me from Incheon to Gyeongju for four years during elementary school, back to Incheon, and later to Gimhae, where I spent a decade. Constantly on the move, it was challenging to form good friendships. When I was 15 years of age, a friend and I ventured into a noraebang to sing. Surprisingly, my friend complimented my singing, an ability I was unaware of until that day. Suddenly, I gained recognition at school, and many friends approached me, inviting me to sing with them. Despite my passion for music, my mother initially opposed my desire to attend a music academy, emphasising the challenges of a musician’s life and urging me to pursue a conventional university education. Eventually, I went to study mechanical engineering but later dropped out. I asserted my ambition to become an artist, leading me to secure a job, register at a music academy, and relocate to Seoul.

Over time, my parents acknowledged the impracticality of a conventional job for me. During this period, I drew inspiration from producers like Kanye West and Travis Scott, motivating me to pursue a career as a producer as well.  Around the age of 25, equipped with the necessary gear, I began creating music in my hometown of Gimhae. In 2019, I furthered my music education in Berlin, collaborating with various people. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit, which prompted my return to Korea. In 2021, I crossed paths with Oceanfromtheblue, collaborating on his first full-length album and I must say, I have learnt so much from him. The following year, I released a double single, : La une featuring Tearing Down and Not Your Fault, which marked my beginnings as an artist. 

VOA: You recently released a new single called Real Love, a very Soul-sounding track, featuring blessed. How was your collaboration with him and have you experienced any creative differences while recording the song?

Laune: I encountered blessed during my collaboration with Oceanfromtheblue. First, I made a demo alongside a friend who was involved in Ocean’s first full-length album. After completing my vocal recording, my friend, Oov, and I set out to record the instrumental foundation of the song. It was at this moment when my friend, calmoody, the collaborator on the project, asked, ‘Can you arrange this song into a Motown style?’. Looking into numerous Motown songs on YouTube for inspiration, we also drew creative influence from Silk Sonic, the dynamic duo comprising Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak.

Regarding my collaboration with blessed…well, my quest was to find a vocalist with a laid-back vibe reminiscent of Tom Misch. In blessed, I discovered a voice that resonated closely with Misch’s mood and tone. Our collaboration involved discussions on vocal arrangements, lyrics, and other creative aspects, bringing Real Love to life.

VOA: I wanna discuss a few of your older releases, starting from Not Your Fault. In this song, you explore feelings of confusion and self-blame in a relationship. Can you share more about the inspiration behind these lyrics and the personal experiences that influenced this emotional depth? And if you could tell me more about musical arrangements, that would be great.

Laune: This track is a reflection of my personal experiences. Picture this: there’s often a couple where one person tends to invest more love than the other, making numerous sacrifices. I lived through this scenario in my early twenties, trying to be in a relationship while having limited experience, and it was undeniably challenging. When penning these lyrics, I initially shouldered the blame for everything that unfolded in my relationship, only to realise later that it wasn’t entirely my fault.

The creative process involved collaboration with my friends on making beats and arranging instruments. Gilla, a talented producer, and my friend who previously worked on Oceanfromtheblue’s Supermario release, joined forces with me on this track. Working alongside other producers is always beneficial, we can always learn from each other. 

VOA: Moving to Tearing Down and its lyrics. As you know, listeners can interpret lyrics in different ways. I feel like Tearing Down expresses a sense of loss and loneliness. What was the creative process like and what emotions did you aim to bring out while making this song?

Laune: Tearing Down and Not Your Fault was released as a pair. Ideally, Not Your Fault should have been released first, but for some reason, it wasn’t. Following the end of my relationship, even though it wasn’t my fault, I experienced loneliness without the person I had been with. This song is intimately tied to my first love. While writing the lyrics, I found myself buried in memories of that relationship, trying to capture the depth of the emotional pain I felt at the time. I also contemplated the universal experience of feeling lost when parting with someone significant, whether it be a partner, a pet, a friend, or the like.

VOA: In the lines “I feel a hole in my heart, I need you,” I can feel a raw vulnerability. How did personal experiences or specific moments shape the intensity of this emotion in the song? Tearing Down really hits hard. Weren’t you afraid to expose your vulnerability? 

Laune: Certainly not. Before I became a singer-songwriter, I asked myself ‘Who do I aspire to be, and what do I truly desire to sing about?’ Each emotion possesses its unique character and colour. I made the deliberate choice to approach my songwriting with unfiltered honesty. I am not afraid to be honest about how I feel; I want to communicate my emotions and experiences to the audience. There’s no fear in relinquishing control and laying bare my vulnerabilities.

VOA: Now, let’s talk about Illusion. I feel like this song depicts a sense of longing and regret. Again, could you share the inspiration behind the song and how personal experiences may have influenced the emotions expressed in your lyrics?

Laune: Once again, the song reflects my personal experiences. Two years ago, I was involved in a relationship where I deeply cared for the other person, but the relationship also brought numerous regrets. Thus, my songwriting is undeniably shaped by these personal moments.

VOA: When it comes to Scent, the plea for just one night and the urgency in “I need you right now” suggest a deep yearning. Can you elaborate on the emotions and experiences that influenced the making of this song, particularly in capturing the intensity of longing and desire? What was the creative process behind this song?

Laune: This song is linked to Illusion, and it talks about the concept of scent but takes a departure from personal relationships. Instead, it focuses on the remnants left behind by individuals who have left or even by a cherished pet no longer present. The essence of the song revolves around the longing.

VOA: You merged Jazz, Soul, and R&B in your music, having said that, how would you describe your music style? 

Laune: I would like to be a popular artist who does everything. Not necessarily defined by one genre, but someone capable of experimenting with all sorts of types of music. That said, I am slightly worried and I am aware that by becoming a well-known artist, I can lose my originality at some point. But I will keep trying to make music that I love for as long as I can. 

VOA: Is there a music/artist you like which/who never fails to make you feel good? 

Laune: Currently, I enjoy tunes from Chris Brown and The Weeknd. However, in the past, my musical preferences leaned towards the likes of Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo. Reflecting on it now, I might find myself revisiting the sounds of Stevie Wonder and D’Angelo once again.

VOA: Are there any concepts, or certain music styles that you would like to try out with your future releases? 

Laune: Just picture me attempting Rock music [laughs]. On a more serious note, mixing different genres, the ones that I haven’t really tried yet is quite challenging for me. Having said that, I made 12 demos this year, but I’m not entirely satisfied with them. However, we’ll see how things unfold in the future.

VOA: What do you find challenging as a musician?

Laune: To be frank, I encounter numerous challenges, and at present, my primary struggle revolves around figuring out how to gain popularity. Nevertheless, before reaching that stage, my goal is to release as much music as I can, ensuring I don’t compromise my authenticity as an artist. I aim to establish my safe zone, a space where all my songs reside. If I lose some of my originality at some point in my career, I’ll have that zone to retreat to. Let’s wait and see where my career leads me.

VOA: When you are not working and writing songs, what do you do to get away from it all and relax? 

Laune: While music is my profession, it’s also my hobby, and I genuinely enjoy creating music during my spare time. Another activity I find pleasure in is working out.

VOA: What are your upcoming plans? Apart from promoting your new EP, are there any other projects that you have planned for the future?

Laune: Currently, I am working on my new EP, which I hope I will be able to release next year. There is still a lot to do and I can say one thing, this EP will be filled with diverse music.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Han Dongwon

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}