Look at You by Leo Luchini

Starting out his music career in London in the Peckham rap scene, Leo Luchini is now programmer of Berlin’s Trauma Bar und Kino, as well as an actor. His signature moody and multifaceted production create the foundation underneath his classic melancholic melodies and ever-evolving lyrical deliveries.

CAP 74024 is pleased to invite Leo for a talk, sharing his inspiration, creativity and growth during the making of ‘Look at You’. From composing, to remixing and further to filming the music video, this black comedy-esque performance is a masterpiece styled to match the dense clash of distorted metal guitar and slick trap syncopation: a filmic fantasy where deathly spectres are counterbalanced with the vastness of an angelic infinite afterlife.

1. Where did your inspiration come from for your new track ‘Look At You’ in terms of the lyrics and direction of the video?

With this track and video I wanted to build a framework that could encompass a range of inspirations for me. From the lyrical standpoint I wanted to further develop my lyrical themes of existentialism and equilibrium and reflect that on screen through concepts of limbo and the afterlife [I was reading Sartre’s ‘No Exit’ at the time]. From a performance aspect, I’ve been hungry to act and perform more – so I developed a character for myself that was a subconscious being with a body language based between exhaustion and exorcism.

Honestly, what fuelled this project most was my frustration with what I felt was becoming lukewarm standards. I had been through a lot this year and I needed the release to shed old skin and free myself again through a performance with urgency. So my main inspiration was this hype-denier energy – this bluff-caller energy – a call for real connection that is un-swipe-away-able – a wake up call for looking at oneself at was has become, as one does in any therapy. It’s a battle with ourselves first and foremost. The song and video are really about this romantic die-hard commitment.

2. What was your favourite part about recording the video?

My favorite part was working on this character behind the lyrics, which is already inside me, and connecting the voice in front of the mic to the person in front of the camera. So much can be found on this level. I dug deep in preparation with Meisner technique workshops to embrace meaningful moments, body language exercises and psyching myself up through revisiting intense memories. It was extremely therapeutic for me.

3. Did you learn anything about your artistry while putting together ‘Look At You’?

I learned the ironic reward of discomfort. This commitment itself to perform the story whatever it takes. Shooting 12 hours straight in the cold rain, literally lying on the floor and throwing my body around, wearing contacts lenses that itch like crazy (nearly couldn’t get them out), wearing fake blood on my skin all day, doing my own stunts – then sleeping 3 hours and walking to the basketball court with my angel wings, my acoustic guitar and a ladder to shoot the end shot sitting on a freezing metallic hoop 4-meters high at 5am golden hour was hardcore. It’s a reminder that if it’s not a little uncomfortable, its probably not worth doing.

4. You recently remixed Tricky, how did this collaboration come about?

I hosted Tricky at Trauma Bar und Kino last December for the premiere of his directorial debut “Lonely Guest”. We got along like a house on fire and a few weeks later his team hit me up about being part of the remix release for the album of the same name. I was so gassed – I had to pinch myself. I chose the Rina Mushonga track ‘Pipe Dreams’ because her vocals are such a raw expression on it and the lyrics really hit home for me at the time. I must’ve made like 10 versions…. Was definitely an honour to be part of it and also alongside artists like Space Afrika also.

5. Can you tell us a little bit about your work as programmer and music curator of Berlin’s Trauma Bar und Kino?

In my role there working on the music programme, I definitely take from my past experience working in venues like the ICA and Bold Tendencies in London but also take a lot from being an artist myself. With this, I try to lead with a collaborative spirit, behaving more like a project-space for immersive, site-specific and cross-disciplinary performing arts, not just a music venue. Luckily we are a well-equipped hybrid space with an incredible team of individuals who equally seek the beyond together with me.

6. Do you have anything coming up you want to tell us about?

You can expect a remix compilation of ‘Look At You’ out in December 2nd featuring several producers to raise charity donations for the situation in Iran.