When you think of a band making its mark, there’s often this linear progression—a path from obscurity to the spotlight, inch by inch. But Luna Motif? They’re not following that script. They’re rewriting it. Their debut EP, Tender Weapons’ is a battle cry wrapped in riffs. Dropping on March 17, 2024, this is the kind of debut that doesn’t just introduce a band—it demands your attention. Now, let’s talk about the lead single, “Bipolar.” If you’ve been anywhere near the underground rock scene in Ireland, you’ve probably heard whispers about Luna Motif. But “Bipolar” is the kind of record that turns whispers into roars. It’s cinematic, it’s gritty, and it’s got that edge—like a punk anthem that just found its soul. My main goal in this interview was to find out what drives them and what goals they set for themselves as a punk band and as composers. Read about this and much more in our exclusive interview!

photo by @camillo.photographer

Your tracks in “Tender Weapons” are a mix of punk, blues, and something almost mystical. How did you arrive at this sound? Was it a sudden realization or something that developed naturally?

Our sound developed naturally over time, emerging from a blend of our diverse influences and personal journeys. While punk and blues are evident in our music, there’s a core rock sound that runs through it all, resonating with our rebellious nature. Ross, our bassist, grew up with a deep love for punk, a genre that thrives on resistance and defiance, and these themes have been integral to shaping our music. We’ve all been influenced by punk bands at different points in our lives in addition to rock and metal, and the raw energy and rebellious spirit of these genres align perfectly with the messages we want to convey.

Musicians, by their very nature, tend to be quite mystical, whether they realize it or not. We’ve all had deeply introspective moments, questioning the nature of life and what might lie beyond. For our vocalist and lyricist Christo, this mystical journey became especially profound after a near-death experience at 19 following an attack when he was living in Cyprus. This event set him on a path of deep spiritual exploration, involving meditative practices and shamanic journeying when he moved to Ireland. His experiences have profoundly influenced our lyrics and parts of our music, but what’s key is that everyone in the band is receptive to and resonates with these influences. While Christo might be more openly and obviously mystical, each of us is in our own way, and you can hear that in the soul-stirring vibe of the drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. Together, these elements create the unique sound you hear on “Tender Weapons.”

In “Honey Dawn,” there’s a line, “it is time mother nature blesses you”—a really powerful message. Do you plan to explore this theme further?

Absolutely. The connection with nature is a core theme in our music, and “Honey Dawn” is just the beginning of that exploration. We believe that in this noisy attention-seeking world of social media increasingly disconnected from the natural world, it’s crucial to remind ourselves of the healing and wisdom that nature offers. This theme will continue to be a significant part of our work as we explore the balance between the chaos of modern life and the peace that nature can provide.

Your music is both a protest and a remedy. With tracks like “War on the Street” taking shots at the government and war, what’s more important to you—speaking out or helping to heal? Or maybe these two are one and the same?

For us, speaking out and helping to heal are deeply interconnected—they’re two sides of the same coin. In the healing journey, it’s vital that we honestly address the problems first before we act accordingly to overcome them and effectively heal. Our music aims to raise awareness of the issues that need addressing, whether it’s government corruption, war, or societal norms that stifle both individual and collective freedom. At the same time, we hope to provide a sense of solace and healing through our music. By addressing these issues head-on, we aim to spark change or even just more questions about both personal and public issues while also offering a remedy for the emotional and psychological toll these issues can take. 

“Tender Weapons” is an interesting title for a debut EP. There’s a contrast there that seems to reflect the duality in your music. What inspired this title, and how does it connect to your sound?

The title “Tender Weapons” was inspired by the idea that music can be both powerful and gentle—a force that can challenge and change, yet also heal and comfort, something that sort of rhymes with nature in a way. This duality reflects our sound perfectly, as we aim to blend raw emotion and introspection with messages of rebellion and revolution. The contrast in the title speaks to our belief that the most effective weapons are those that inspire positive change, rather than destruction, but unfortunately, communities of people still to this day are being attacked with gunshots and bombs rather than peaceful offerings of soul-stirring music.

photo by @camillo.photographer

Do you find yourself influenced by the cultures of the places where your music is embraced?

Absolutely. When you’ve traveled inward enough, you start to hear the songs of all cultures coming together in unison. Christo, being Cypriot, naturally brings some Middle Eastern influence into our music. Having attended secondary school with peers from various nationalities and cultures, these diverse influences have seeped into his personality and subsequently into our sound. As a band, we’re deeply connected to the cultures we encounter, whether they’re from our roots here in Ireland or from the places where our music is embraced. This blend of cultural influences adds richness and depth to our music, helping us to connect with a wide range of listeners.

Your band is made up of different people with different approaches. Do you ever have creative clashes, or is it always harmonious?

Creative clashes are inevitable when you have a group of passionate individuals, but we see them as a positive thing. These clashes often lead to new ideas and push us to think outside the box. While we may not always agree, we share a mutual respect for each other’s perspectives, which helps us navigate any disagreements and come out stronger on the other side. Ultimately, these differences are what make our music unique and dynamic. 

In tracks like “Firestorm” and “Adventure Kids,” you challenge societal norms and take on the system. What issues fire you up the most?

We’re particularly fired up by issues related to personal freedom, government overreach, and the growing disconnect between people and nature. “Firestorm” and “Adventure Kids” reflect our frustration with societal norms that stifle individuality and creativity, as well as our concern for the ways in which governments and institutions can overstep their bounds. We’re also deeply concerned about the environment and passionate about the need for people to reconnect with nature as a means of healing and empowerment.

There’s a certain cinematic quality to your tracks, especially in the way they build tension and release it. Do you take inspiration from films or visual art when crafting your songs?

Yes, absolutely. We’re all fans of cinema and visual art, and those influences definitely find their way into our music. We think of our songs as stories, with their own arcs, tension, and resolution—much like a film. The goal is to create an immersive experience for the listener, one that evokes strong emotions and paints vivid pictures in their minds. Visual art and film help us to think about our music in terms of mood, atmosphere, and narrative, which contributes to that cinematic quality you hear in our tracks. In fact, if we were made of money (which we’re not), we would certainly be investing a heck of a lot more into visual elements for our music, both in a live setting and for online content.

Comparisons to Joy Division, Black Sabbath, and RHCP are inevitable, but you’ve clearly carved out a unique sound. How do you feel about these comparisons? Do they help or hinder new listeners in understanding your music?

We’re honored by comparisons to such iconic bands—they’ve certainly influenced us in different ways. However, while these comparisons can be helpful in giving new listeners a sense of what to expect, we also hope that people come to our music with an open mind. Our sound is a blend of many influences beyond just those 3, but it’s also a reflection of our own experiences and perspectives. We see these comparisons as a starting point, but we encourage listeners to dive deeper and discover what makes Luna Motif unique.

What’s one unexpected joy or surprise that’s come from making music together? Is there a moment or memory that always makes you smile when you think back on it?

The one unexpected joy that’s come from making music together is the banter in rehearsals. To be honest, we sometimes find ourselves just sitting around chatting and joking, so it’s been nice that 4 strangers that came together to write music can also hang out as mates. One of our most cherished memories is our first-ever gig at Fibber Magees in Dublin, which came during a brief window between lockdowns. People were starved for live music and simply wanted to go out and connect with one another. The energy that night was immense, and although we can look back at clips and see how much we’ve grown since then, the crowd’s engagement and enthusiasm were unforgettable. That night validated everything we had been working towards and fueled our motivation to keep going. It’s a memory that always brings a smile to our faces and reminds us why we do what we do.

*This interview was made possible by Quite Great PR