The Near-perfect dream noise of Lunation Fall
A near-perfect six-song shoegaze album was released by French band Lunation Fall in the midst of the pandemic (April 2021)... and really, I only say ‘near-perfect’ because the album is titled Near.
Self-described as “in a constant quest for the alliance between melancholic dream pop and unleashed noise rock," Lunation Fall makes the perfect ‘dream noise’ for an episode of _____ mood. Considering the influences of each of the four band members, it’s no wonder I came to adore this album.
This summer while travelling through Lyon where the band is based, I reached out in hopes of picking up a CD at a local record shop (no luck), but have since got a copy direct from the band and learned a bit more from guitarist and vocalist Thibaud Furst.
Here we go…
“Aube” - I absolutely adore this song! Is there a short story behind it?
Most of the music is written by Célia Broch and I (Thibaud Furst) wrote the lyrics. The song is about romantic relationships, when the relationship grows with passion and you feel that the best moments of your life are spent with the one you love.
Why the name of the song?
We wanted to have a French word as a title for one track. It symbolizes the start of something new.
Have you written songs about heartache and heartbreak?
Yes, kind of. “Mercury” is a song about the difficulties of dealing with relationships that don't turn out the way we want to and how it's sometimes hard to let go of a loved one.
Is the band always writing and singing in English?
Yes, for now we only write and sing in English. Maybe we will sing in French someday, if that sounds good with our music.
How many people are in the band? You are all based in Lyon?
We are four, all based in Lyon. I'm on guitars and vocals. Célia Broch is on guitars and vocals too. Ludovic Jaguin is on bass. Julien Angueloff is on the drums.
When did you first start performing together as Lunation Fall?
We did our first show in November 2019, in our home town Lyon.
What's the shoegaze scene like in Lyon or France more broadly?
It's very small in Lyon, the band Luje and us I think. As for France, there are a few bands but not really united as a scene. We have once shared a gig with Dead Horse One, a band from Valence in France. I can name a few good shoegaze French bands I like: Venera 4, Tapeworms (their first releases) and Bryan's Magic Tears.
Does Lunation Fall have plans for another album or new songs?
Yes, we are working on several new tracks in hope to release a full album next year, but these things take time, as once said by Morrissey.
If you could tour with any band, who would it be?
There could be so many! I think bands like Ringo Deathstarr could be great. But I have dreamed of opening for My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive.
Who are the artists that have been very influential to you or others in the band?
We are all influenced by most of the shoegaze and post-punk scene. For me, my favourite is My Bloody Valentine. Loveless has influenced me a lot. Célia is very influenced by dream-pop bands like Beach House and Slowdive. Ludovic is influenced by post-punk bands like The Cure, Joy Division and New Order. Julien comes from the stoner rock scene and also is influenced by bands like Cocteau Twins.
You can hear “Aube” in episode 8 of _____ mood. [coming soon] along with some other great dream pop tunes.
Hear the demo version of the above-mentioned “Mercury” on the Lunation Fall YouTube channel and find Lunation Fall on Bandcamp to listen to the full album Near. Follow and flick through their Insta for photos of the band.
Thank you Thibaud for answering all my questions - I'm looking forward to new Lunation Fall songs coming. Take your time, Robert Smith does the same with a new album too ;)
Photo by Remy Badout.