LUNA
In a world in which we are surrounded by mass media mediocrity, Luna surprises with an astonishing presence. Her live performances leave audiences awestruck and speechless, intrigued by her stories delivered through well-crafted lyrics, she amazes with her powerful, soulful voice. Luna takes you on a hypnotic and moving voyage.
Her love for song writing and the piano started in her teens, during which time she was heavily influenced by the great songwriters of the 70’s. Artists like Jackson Browne, Jim Croce, Karen Carpenter and Paul Simon, all played a part in shaping her sound.
Luna studied Social Work at the University of Stellenbosch. After a four year degree she decided to combine her passion for people with her love for music and completed a Masters Degree in the therapeutic use of music in group therapy to treat chemically dependents. While at university Luna started performing her songs at poetry evenings, building a small but loyal following.
Luna’s introduction into the music industry came in 1999 when she was discovered by a small label called Afrimusik at one of these magical evenings. Afrimusik produced a compilation album (Eve: Women in the Garden of Song, 2000) of female singer/songwriters with artists like Lesley Rae Dowling and Laurinda Hofmeyr and included three of Luna’s original songs.
After her studies she started performing regularly and in 2003 recorded her first album. The product was raw and unique and was well received by both music industry critics and Luna’s fans. A review of this self-titled album, (Luna) on an international music website (www.worlddiscoveries.com) stated the following, “If Luna were from New York, she’d be the latest rage!”
Her second album titled “Missing Pieces”, recorded in 2005, showcased songs she wrote over a two year period while touring and performing extensively. The album has a much more sophisticated, produced sound than her debut album and featured some of South Africa’s best session musicians. Inspired by her experiences as a twenty-something at the turn of the millennium, the album is a selection of up-beat pop songs and dark introspective ballads. Thematically the album strives to paint a realistic portrait of relationships in modern society.
In 2005 Luna relocated from Stellenbosch to Pretoria to expose her music to a bigger market. During this period Luna had her first number one song on radio taken from “Missing Pieces”. The music video for her hit song “Somewhere beautiful” was A-listed on MK89 and due to its popularity Luna was invited to appear on various TV programs as well as being featured in numerous newspapers articles and magazines.
In 2007 Luna’s production “Vier Seisoene” / Four Seasons” was officially accepted at the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, after being successful at music venues such as Centurion Theatre and festivals such as the Bank Windhoek Festival in Namibië and the Woordfees in Stellenbosch. Luna received rave reviews for this production at KKNK and the Cederberg Festival and will now be touring with this show on a regular basis. This show will run at Klein Libertas Theatre in May, at Die Boer in June and at Centurion Theatre in September.
Luna is currently negotiating with record labels in order to record her next album, planned for release towards the end of 2007. This project will be Luna’s first Afrikaans album and promises to be a new sound in Afrikaans.
Luna will be touring between Gauteng and Cape Town on a regular basis to perform not only “Vier Seisoene” / Four Seasons, but also her exciting new Afrikaans AND English material.
