In this installment of band showcase we talk with Leucrocuta. Leucrocuta is the name of a solo electronic music act. The Leucrocuta is also a mythical beast capable of mimicking voices to lure prey.
Leucrocuta’s sci-fi inspired sounds play in the spaces between avant-pop, ambient, and experimental electronic music.
Q I have to say I loved learning about the mythology behind your band namesake, how did you decide on that name?
I really love the book ‘Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norell’ by Susanna Clarke. I’ve read it repeatedly over the years since it was published in 2004. And at one point in the book a character calls another character a ‘leucrocuta’ as a kind of insult. So I looked it up and learned more about the mythical creature. The Leucrocuta lures in its prey by mimicking voices. I liked the idea of having multiple voices and being kind of monstrous or otherworldly.
Q You have been putting out albums since 2017, how do you think your music has evolved?
I guess I’ve gotten a fair bit older, and I used to just be a lovesick, sad, self-involved person, you know? But now I want to make music that isn’t about myself as much, that is more about sound or different ideas and characters. I remember reading this biography of a composer when I was in school, who said she was so happy to be free of her youth and various love affairs, she could finally focus on her work. I get that.
Q Your last album was written during the pandemic. How do you think that affected its composition?
I think overall my energy and capacity was very low, so song structure didn’t work for me at all, I couldn’t think in that kind of linear way, so I leaned more on sequencer music – using groove boxes and recording live improvisation and then editing what I recorded. I was also tired of screens, so having physical objects to use was helpful to tie me to reality.
Q I feel like all of your songs draw the listener into a larger story of the world, have you ever thought about doing a soundtrack, if so, what might your dream project be?
I have done sound track work! And I love it! My dream project would actually be animated works, maybe for kids! There is so much room there for gestural, abstract sound design and creative scoring. Currently I work as a video game sound designer, and it lets me do a lot of those things too!
Q How do you balance your music career with your personal lives and other interests?
If I’m honest, I wouldn’t say I have had a career in any traditional sense. I’ve never gone on tour – I guess at best I’m a local musician haha. I joke with some friends that what we do really is the equivalent of community theater or a local soccer league. And I’m happy with this, communities need a local soccer league. They NEED their local noisy, weird, experimental electronic scenes, even if no one ever gets famous. And also because the actual work you have to do to have a ‘career’ in the industry, especially now at this time, doesn’t fit who I am. All I ever really wanted to do was make the sounds, and learn how to make more sounds. And I’m doing that, so I’m really happy with that.
In terms of my personal life however, I think I have definitely made the mistake of sacrificing human connection and other interests to work on art and music, and that was a mistake, probably even for my ‘career’ haha! But I’m not dead yet, and I want to take some kind of class this year.. maybe a pottery class, I’m not sure yet!
Q What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to make it in the industry?
Think about who you are and what you actually can see yourself doing, and realize that being a professional musician isn’t the only way to participate in the industry, or have a fulfilling career making art. Make what you like, follow what makes you feel curious, make friends, enjoy and be kind to the communities you find yourself a part of, and if you find you really want to have a career as a performing artist, I have one tip: try writing back to promoters after a show, thank them, and ask about future opportunities. People in the industry are just people, and you can get to know them. In general, I would say it’s a good idea to try clearly asking for and seeking out the things you want. You will get rejected, but you will also be surprised that sometimes, delightfully, you are not. If there are people whose work you admire, find out what they did to get where they are, and try doing some of those things! If they played at a festival, or did a specific residency, try to see if you can do that too. Apply for things, go out and meet people, dance a bit, and have fun :)Also – jealousy is actually a useful emotion. Pay attention to when you feel jealous, and maybe you will find that it helps you see what you might want in life. Most ‘negative’ emotions and feelings are actually useful, it can just be hard to feel them because they feel.. well… terrible, but if you can get through them you’ll find that ‘dark feelings’ have a lot to offer in terms of insight and self-knowledge.
That’s all I got. I didn’t always do all of these things, but I wish I did!
Q} if people want more info about you or your projects where should they go?
Definitely bandcamp: https://leucrocuta.bandcamp.com/album/chastity-platinum-dead-scream
Final four questions –we ask everybody
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
I will also be a zombie.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom
Star Trek for sure!
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
I wouldn’t say anyone necessarily has to see it before you die, but the 1974 movie musical adaptation of The Little Prince is beautiful.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I’m a big nerd, but I just can’t get into board game nights!