Richie Luna: Luna Landing (Love + Light)

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Richie Luna?

I always loved to entertain and perform (for) large crowds of people when I was a young boy. At around 10 years old, during family wedding receptions with over 400 people, the entire crowd made me dance in the middle of the dance floor for everyone to circle around me and cheer me on. As nervous as I would be, at the end of the routine I was so happy and fulfilled that the excitement would far outweigh my nerves. Growing up, I never really believed that my love and passion for entertaining would ever turn into anything serious…So, I put that “dream” aside and followed the “normal” route of life. After completing my University Degree, I got into the field of business and had a successful start-up trading company. Despite this success, there was something missing in my life…A calling that I had not yet answered. I simply just could not ignore it.

Now your are a native of the Island of Trinidad, correct? So growing up, who all did/do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Trinidad is an island situated in the most southern part of the Caribbean. Compared to other large countries in the world, Trinidad is a small geographical land mass…However, (it) is packed with a continent of different cultures, artistic backgrounds, ethnic and religious groups, and, most importantly, ideas and a unique flare for life. Growing up in Trinidad opened my mind to this vast difference in art forms, which fueled me to think and create differently. Michael Jackson was –and still remains — my artistic “Hero!” Growing up as a young kid, I always strived to emulate M.J.'s signature moves. M.J. revolutionized music and videos. He was a visionary, and everything that we see and hear today has some sort of connection to Michael Jackson's heroic art form.

How would you describe and/or define the style of music that you create and perform?

I never try to create one style of music. I am always striving to combine totally different elements into a musical piece that all work coherently and creates “one” awesome sound. My music is meant to energize the world; from one of sadness and depression, to happiness and celebration! With that being said, the “electronic dance” fused with “pop” genre can give an indication of the overall gist of my sound. Electronic music is becoming the new Rock'n'Roll! Most “pop” songs now have an element of EDM incorporated into it somewhere along the lines. Many people believe that I have a “world music” style…Others find it difficult to place one specific genre on my creations. Either way, I think they are all correct!

You literally just unleashed your brand new single and video “Celebrate! (The Call to Light),” just in time for the World Cup — Tell me about this track, and its accompanying clip, in particular? How did it all even come to fruition?

“Celebrate!” is the first installment of the Richie Luna Musical Adventure. The track was written to be a spark of positive revolution in these dark times. Fed up with constant negativity being thrown at me from different streams of media, I decided that I would write a song that would serve to release this negativity from people's minds and emotions when experienced. “Celebrate!” then happened! While in studio, it all started from one musical line…And the rest was history! it just evolved and flowed so smoothly outwards — beat after beat — melody after melody — lyric after lyric. That's when you know something is great, when you don't have to force the issue! It just happens and flows like a river without forcing the tide. “Celebrate!” would have been the perfect “Official” World Cup Anthem in a perfect world, however that was not the case. With that being said, I STRONGLY believe that “Celebrate!” will be “The People's Anthem” for the Summer of 2014 and beyond. There will always be a moment in life to Celebrate, no matter how tough life gets. It is for those exact moments that “Celebrate!” was created for…To be blared out so loud that it accompanies your moment of awesomeness through that sound layer, climaxing to a moment of Love + Light that you will never forget!

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to? And, of course, what will continue to sustain you in music?

My innate belief and passion for music, and spreading a positive message through the medium of music and videos, is what keeps me going on a daily basis into the future. When all is said and done, and all the business of the music business is put aside, the thing that keeps me going is just that — The music! I mean, the power of music and its impact on the world is for me — The most powerful instrument of change and impact on society. Imagine, with the stroke of a chord and the click of a button, your sound can travel across continents and oceans, and be experienced and enjoyed by millions of people, putting a smile on their face or seeing them celebrating in joy. If that doesn't keep you going, then I really don't know what will! I do hope that the world loves and accepts my music as I have just explained above. If yes, then it's up to the people, the fans, to support me in my journey so that I can continue to create and sustain for myself as an artist and individual in life.

Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

My dream is to become successful in my music career so that I can translate this success into societal projects that can positively impact people's lives. The entire message and concept behind the Richie Luna story is that life is not always happy and joyous, times can become very dark…However, instead of letting this darkness and negativity of life bring you down, you must find whatever it is in your life that deserves celebrating, and celebrate because of that! This is how you defeat the darkness, through positivity — love and light — celebration! Everyone deserves the right to celebrate, and that's what I aspire to do; let my music and my message translate into real change in depressed societies around the world through direct actions, whatever necessary, to change this state of energy.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment?

Right now! The release of the full music video for “Celebrate!” (The Call to Light)” will be one of the most amazing moments in my career. I have spent several years working on the concept and production of this music video. It was one of the most physically and mentally challenging projects of my entire life. It is a massive project for any major company, far less a totally independent artist such as myself. Seeing this music video fully completed and launched, will truly be one of the most amazing celebrations in my music career thus far.

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Ideally…I would like to be able to take my label, the Richie Luna brand, and give other upcoming aspiring artists the opportunity and chance to develop, grow, build and successfully launch their own brand into the music marketplace. There is an ocean of unseen and unheard talent out there waiting to shore up. I would like to be that pipeline, that window of opportunity, for other artists and creators, who at a point may not have the ability or means in order to do it on their own. One of the greatest feelings for me is seeing fellow colleagues and team members around me, all succeeding, as a result of a group effort, of team work towards a common goal, coming into reality, positively impacting everybody's future. It just makes me want to create more and build bigger and better into the future!

As for the immediate future, what's next for Richie Luna?

This must be the summer of Luna Celebrations! I really do hope that the world connects with “Celebrate!” and becomes part of the movement through the song and most importantly…The music video! The music video explains A LOT about the story of Richie Luna, the underlying meaning of his character. With this being said, I want for this video to create a new spark of excitement around the world, to get the entire globe Celebrating this summer and beyond!

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

The Richie Luna project is going to be entirely different from the norm, as my music videos are not exactly music videos, they will be synonymous to a short movie/musical in which each video represents a chapter in the overall story. This is completely different from the usual 3 1/2 minute music videos that are out there en mass at the moment. I really do hope that the world loves this approach and connects with the story so that it can continue on forward until the end.

Any “parting” message(s) for our readers?

Be yourself! Do not let the bullies of today's world affect your mindset and your thoughts. Once you believe in you…And you are happy with who YOU are…Then you have A LOT to CELEBRATE! Keep this attitude through the dark times and you will Light it up! I was told that I was not good enough, that I could never make it, and that all I am is a dreamer. Now…Richie Luna is launching to the world! Keep strong…Keep positive…And Light up the darkness — CELEBRATE

Interviewed By: Hype Staff