Following the release of our ‘Ones To Watch’ list for 2021, ‘In The Spotlight’ offers the chance to get to know our picks more intimately and find out why we fell in love with them.

You’ve heard about the artists that we’re most excited for this year. Now, get ready to hear from the artists themselves as we shine a spotlight on their personality, the year just past, and their most anticipated musical artists. This week, we catch up with LA-based artist Luke Wild who manged to translate over a decade of musical experience into his exquisite debut EP, Sunburn. Blending an airy dream-pop aesthetic with punk rock energy, Wild crafts a world full of sonic wonders. His meticulous approach to his work, alongside the openness and lyrical poeticism with which he designs his tunes, brings forth a unique talent. With his inspirations ranging from Elvis Presley to Frank Ocean and everything in between, Wild synthesises a sound that is beautifully and utterly his own. From the indie-electronic delight that is Fever Brain to deep self-reflection and self-awareness in Everything Is So Hard to soul-searching moments (Drop Me Off In The Sky), Luke Wild creates pure melodic magic.

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

I would say honesty and conviction. Making things that are true to your best and worst parts, to express what you are feeling, and through that what others are thinking and feeling.

Are there any behind-the-scenes stories of recording your Sunburn EP that you can share with us?

I recorded most of it myself in my manager Danny’s apartment, and he would sneak me into the studio he worked at late at night to finish songs. A lot of amazing memories, but the running around made it fun.

How would you describe the project to someone at a dinner party that’s never heard of you?

I would jokingly say “it’s not that good”. I don’t really like explaining it verbally. I just try to be cool and maybe they will check it out on their own time.

What advice would you give to your pre-lockdown self?

Be aware of the energy of the people around you. This year I have become really sensitive and selective about who I let in. Quarantine has helped with that.

How would you sum up your 2020 in one sentence?

Brutal and beautiful, wonderful and horrible, extremely long and extremely slow.

Name one thing you can’t imagine your life without.

Music.

What is the most useless talent you have?

I know every movie that was set in Boston. I’m oddly obsessed with the duality of that city, and the insanity of it.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2021?

I would love to move into a new apartment with some space to have a place to listen to music and paint and be peaceful. And to release my second project and have people truly moved by it. I want to create better visuals to accompany my music. I want to secretly score some movies.

Which artists excite you the most this year?

Bakar, Men I Trust, Playboy Carti, Radiohead (yes I’M LATE), The Neighborhood, Snow Alegra.

And finally, what does your music say about you?

It’s all parts of my personality jumbled into one big mess. But We try our best.