LMST is a Korean R&B artist who can cater to any mood or fleeting feeling, which sets him apart from many releases at the moment. A year after his last EP, One Summer Night, he is back with his new single, Satellite. A different direction for LMST regarding sound, collaborating with the vyd team who have worked with idols like Plave, Kang Daniel, and Yugyeom. Satellite is the perfect soundtrack for a summer night’s walk or drive, it poignantly explores the emotions of navigating life and how we orbit our everyday routines. His daily schedule in itself is akin to Superman’s, by day, he is in charge of sales for an IT company. But at night, his creative side emerges, ready to write music and share it with the world. 

His name, LMST, is an acronym for LENNY MAKES SOMETHING, which he describes as “Lenny, a restless creator of catchy music and art content.” Not only is he funny and charming, but he is also not afraid to confront the beauty in the boring, mundane, day-to-day moments. He’s someone you want to root for as a listener, someone who, like many others, feels compelled to create while trying hard to find the good things in life. He refuses to let go of joy and hope, even in songs that talk about deep sadness or anger.

Aside from self-reflection, his discography showcases his versatility and is a treasure trove of music for newcomers to enjoy. His 2023 single, Feels So Fine, features singer-songwriter COKEONSOBER, with whom he collaborated again on Satellite. The video is a visual feast, with graphics dancing across the screen that look like they’re straight out of a Saved By The Bell opening credit roll from 1990. We talked to LMST about his recent release, maintaining a balanced work-life, and trying to be positive in a world where it’s much easier to see the worst in the world and ourselves.

View of the Arts: Many people grow up loving music from a young age, but when did you realise you wanted to become a singer-songwriter and pursue it as a career?

LMST: After quitting my first job, I set up a space that combined coffee, food, and cultural programs. I reinvested some of the profits into supporting indie musicians and directors who were creating diverse films. During this time, I was deeply inspired by the many artists I met who were struggling to achieve their dreams. This inspiration led me to reflect on a question I had written down in my diary: “What is my dream?” That question reignited a passion in me that had been hidden for a long time. I then released my first single, NO FANTASY, with the support of others while going through a breakup. This catalyzed the artist LMST to emerge.

Currently, I am in charge of sales at an IT company, where I am busy implementing strategies for clients, but I still have no hesitation in turning into LMST when the sun goes down. Unlike Spider-Man, I’m bolder, more sensual, funny, and sexy (laughs). It’s a persona full of charm, and I am going to continue making the music that I enjoy. I want to portray my many qualities in an honest and sophisticated manner in tune with the life changes. I’m sure the stories in my music will resonate with ordinary people who have big dreams in their hearts.

VOA: The lyrics of Satellite inspire hope and acceptance of our life situations. How do you maintain a positive outlook on life?

LMST: Maintaining a positive attitude is challenging. If you lose focus even for just one moment, anxiety and negative emotions can quickly take over. In the past, those feelings would scare me, they would make me feel small and lead to even more worries. It was almost like I had an obsession that anxiety and negative emotions had no place in my life.

However, these days, I see anxiety and negative emotions as friends who are always with me in my life. Because of that, I’ve realised that the positive and good things in life are even more precious, and the joy of discovering them is much greater—just like a treasure hunt.

In the lyrics of Satellite, there’s a phrase that says “Finding the answers.” It reflects the image of a satellite peacefully orbiting in the dark sky, symbolising the journey of finding answers in our lives—holding on to hope throughout the process.

VOA: Satellite’s concept photos look like a blend of futuristic, lonely dystopian with a sprinkle of hope. How do you go about developing a storyline that accurately reflects the message that you want the song to say?

LMST: I like to observe and think about what it means. I photograph or film everyday moments like people on the bus, on the subway, in cafes, etc. At the end of the day, I reflect on how my day went and the events that happened. I simply take and record notes. I believe these serve as ideas and inspire my song titles and lyrics. In a nutshell, they are a treasure trove of sources of inspiration.

However, simply jotting down notes doesn’t seem to be enough to create a storyline. To build one, I go through an additional process of imagining based on those notes. For example, if I see a couple fighting while walking down the street, I ask myself, ‘Why are they fighting? How long will it take them to reconcile after this? How will they reconcile? Will they eventually split up?” By exploring these additional questions, I hope to piece together the pieces to make a story.

When I was writing the lyrics for Satellite, I remember developing the storyline by asking many questions and imagining different situations. It was all based on a note I had written to myself on a day when I particularly felt insignificant.

VOA: Satellite was composed alongside the vyd team and COKEONSOBER. He also worked with you on your 2023 single, Feel So Fine. How did you two meet, and how do you collaborate on ideas together?

LMST: I was introduced to COKEONSOBER through the artist ARCX, who I previously collaborated with on my single TURN ME ON. COKEONSOBER has an incredible voice and vocal ability, and since we both share a love for R&B, we quickly became close.

Because we know each other’s strengths so well, we not only release music together but also help in directing each other’s albums during recording sessions. When we recorded this new track, COKEONSOBER’s direction made the process go smoothly.

We don’t have a set way of working, but usually, one of us comes up with a theme and shares it, and then we comfortably exchange melody or theme ideas that go with that idea. We pick the best ideas from what we’ve shared and put them together to complete the track. Since both of us are easygoing and laid-back, and we both enjoy sharing our opinions, working together is always a smooth process.

VOA:  Speaking of Feel So Fine, both the music video and the EP cover are incredibly colourful and artistic. How do you come up with visuals that perfectly match the theme of the track?

LMST: I believe that music should be experienced visually, so when people listen to my music, I also design visuals that I think would complement the sound. For the track you mentioned, Feel So Fine, I focus on key principles like grooviness and a sensuality that can be imagined through the lyrics and subtle metaphors. From there, I brainstorm words to express those ideas, almost like creating a mind map. After jotting down some words or sentences, I search for similar images on Pinterest or Google and match them to the concepts. By going through this process, I believe the tone of the song, the lyrics, and the imagery I want to express become more closely aligned.

VOA: Which song from your diverse and interesting discography would you recommend to a new fan, and why?

LMST: I would love to recommend all of the songs I’ve released so far, but that may be too many, right? [laughs]. I’d like to suggest a few tracks based on the situation. First, if you need some happy energy, I recommend DRIVE, Summer Holiday, or HELLO. These songs have an uplifting vibe, exciting beats, and witty music videos that make you feel good. If you want something trendy, then I suggest MY LOVE, TURN ME ON, or TOMORROW. The groovy beats and melodies will make you feel like you’re walking down the runway or lounging in a chic setting. And of course, my latest release Satellite. I think it’s a great listen anytime! 

VOA: Finally, do you have any plans for future releases this year?

LMST: To be honest, I didn’t expect to have a year-long hiatus either. During this time, I’ve been truly touched to learn that more people have been waiting for my music than I had anticipated. So I’ll be releasing an EP album titled [Mystery Box], consisting of 4-5 songs, on December 2nd (KST.) It’s going to be a fun and exciting album that shows another side of myself, so you can look forward to it!

Written and interviewed by Kirsty Bright

_{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.}