01Profile
A Lunadira Photo
Lunadira
Musician — Malaysia
03Interview
Introduce yourself
I am LUNADIRA and I’m a singer-songwriter.
Describe your style in 3 words?
Comfortable, Silhouette-focused & interchangeable.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
It’s a staple that provides a structurally versatile silhouette that you can always change up!
What is the first song you played on repeat?
The earliest memory I have is of me repeating Señorita by Justin Timberlake on my MP4 player on my way to school in the mornings.
What is one record you would keep forever?
Definitely 'Apricot Princess' by Rex Orange County.
What is a song lyric that has inspired you?
“It’s not always rainbows and butterflies, it’s compromise that moves us along”
It’s such a simple line but it impacted me as a child growing up. I remember buying a cassette tape of Songs About Jane and shouting out these lyrics in my mum’s car during long car rides. It still rings in my head whenever I’m dealing with difficult situations so in a way that line has helped me a lot.
What has been the best gig you've been to?
I grew up listening to Maroon 5’s older discographies, and my first ever concert was Maroon 5 live in KL. It was their first time in Malaysia and it was my first time seeing them live so it was a pretty sentimental moment for me. But seeing the Last Dinosaurs when they came down for a festival in KL holds a special place in my heart. That’s where I met my best friend who I ended up writing Stuck With You for.
Who is your ultimate British musical icon?
Freddie Mercury! Queen!! Bowie!!! I can’t choose!!!!
What song do you wish you had written?
Anything that is written by Alex Turner, to be honest. That man has a way with words that makes me think about all the times I’ve spent cracking my head open trying to write heart-tugging lyrics. It seems like he doesn’t even need to try. “..And a helter skelter 'round her little finger and I ride it endlessly” just to say you’re wrapped around someone’s finger? Are you kidding me? Another line that really got me was
“And I elongated my lift home,
Yeah, I let him go the long way round,
I smelt your scent on the seatbelt,
And kept my shortcuts to myself.”
From 'Cornerstone'. It always gets to me, so 'Cornerstone' is one of the top songs that I wished I wrote.
Where do you go to see live music?
KL is still limited in terms of live music venues so you get to see the same people around for shows, which is nice. It’s usually jamming studios and small bars that I get to catch live acts in KL.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
'Sycamore Girl' by Rex Orange County feat. Thea.
This song was written by Alex (Rex) and his girlfriend which I find to be beautiful. Their voices sound heavenly together and if you listened to the entire discography of Apricot Princess, you’ll realize how mature the album sounds once you realize that he was 19 years old when he released it.
'Stay Away From My Baby' by Banes World.
I always listen to this song whenever I need to drown out the noise of the world. The dreaminess of it all takes you away for a little. It’s a short song, but it does the job nonetheless.
'Heart Don’t Stand A Chance' by Anderson .Paak.
This song will just make you wanna groooooove. This is one person you should see live. The Free Nationals is amazing live!
'Try A Little Tenderness' by Otis Redding.
I heard this song in “Pretty in Pink” when Duckie was jamming out to it in the record store, not caring about how he looked like and the stares he got. It felt so carefree that I fell in love with the scene and the song.
'If Only' by Raveena.
“You still don’t understand a woman is holy.” That should be enough to hook you onto this song.
'Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song)' by Daniel Caesar.
The transition in this song gets to me every time.
'20 Something' by SZA.
Ah, the lovely quarter life crisis embodied in a song. A beautifully heart-wrenching and pensive song.
'Lauren' by Men I Trust.
I played this song randomly and have never been easily hooked onto a bassline that quickly.
'Fallingforyou' by The 1975.
This song has impacted me in the way Call Me By Your Name did. The falling feeling of crushing on someone so hard is well encapsulated in this track. I find myself falling in love with non-existent people whenever I listen to this song.
'Lovin’ You' by Minnie Riperton.
I was even more mesmerised with this song when I saw the music video. This song always inspires me every time I listen to it, but always in different ways. It’s a pretty nice palate cleanser when you feel like breaking away from your usual playlist.
'Rock With You' by Michael Jackson.
I can’t help but dance when I listen to this song. It just seeps into your bones and you just have to move.
'Stuck With You' by LUNADIRA.
I had to include this. It’s my first ever major project and I can’t help but feel really sentimental towards it. It’s my baby
03Interview
Introduce yourself
I am LUNADIRA and I’m a singer-songwriter.
Describe your style in 3 words?
Comfortable, Silhouette-focused & interchangeable.
What does the Fred Perry Shirt mean to you?
It’s a staple that provides a structurally versatile silhouette that you can always change up!
What is the first song you played on repeat?
The earliest memory I have is of me repeating Señorita by Justin Timberlake on my MP4 player on my way to school in the mornings.
What is one record you would keep forever?
Definitely 'Apricot Princess' by Rex Orange County.
What is a song lyric that has inspired you?
“It’s not always rainbows and butterflies, it’s compromise that moves us along”
It’s such a simple line but it impacted me as a child growing up. I remember buying a cassette tape of Songs About Jane and shouting out these lyrics in my mum’s car during long car rides. It still rings in my head whenever I’m dealing with difficult situations so in a way that line has helped me a lot.
What has been the best gig you've been to?
I grew up listening to Maroon 5’s older discographies, and my first ever concert was Maroon 5 live in KL. It was their first time in Malaysia and it was my first time seeing them live so it was a pretty sentimental moment for me. But seeing the Last Dinosaurs when they came down for a festival in KL holds a special place in my heart. That’s where I met my best friend who I ended up writing Stuck With You for.
Who is your ultimate British musical icon?
Freddie Mercury! Queen!! Bowie!!! I can’t choose!!!!
What song do you wish you had written?
Anything that is written by Alex Turner, to be honest. That man has a way with words that makes me think about all the times I’ve spent cracking my head open trying to write heart-tugging lyrics. It seems like he doesn’t even need to try. “..And a helter skelter 'round her little finger and I ride it endlessly” just to say you’re wrapped around someone’s finger? Are you kidding me? Another line that really got me was
“And I elongated my lift home,
Yeah, I let him go the long way round,
I smelt your scent on the seatbelt,
And kept my shortcuts to myself.”
From 'Cornerstone'. It always gets to me, so 'Cornerstone' is one of the top songs that I wished I wrote.
Where do you go to see live music?
KL is still limited in terms of live music venues so you get to see the same people around for shows, which is nice. It’s usually jamming studios and small bars that I get to catch live acts in KL.
04Playlist Notes
'Sycamore Girl' by Rex Orange County feat. Thea.
This song was written by Alex (Rex) and his girlfriend which I find to be beautiful. Their voices sound heavenly together and if you listened to the entire discography of Apricot Princess, you’ll realize how mature the album sounds once you realize that he was 19 years old when he released it.
'Stay Away From My Baby' by Banes World.
I always listen to this song whenever I need to drown out the noise of the world. The dreaminess of it all takes you away for a little. It’s a short song, but it does the job nonetheless.
'Heart Don’t Stand A Chance' by Anderson .Paak.
This song will just make you wanna groooooove. This is one person you should see live. The Free Nationals is amazing live!
'Try A Little Tenderness' by Otis Redding.
I heard this song in “Pretty in Pink” when Duckie was jamming out to it in the record store, not caring about how he looked like and the stares he got. It felt so carefree that I fell in love with the scene and the song.
'If Only' by Raveena.
“You still don’t understand a woman is holy.” That should be enough to hook you onto this song.
'Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song)' by Daniel Caesar.
The transition in this song gets to me every time.
'20 Something' by SZA.
Ah, the lovely quarter life crisis embodied in a song. A beautifully heart-wrenching and pensive song.
'Lauren' by Men I Trust.
I played this song randomly and have never been easily hooked onto a bassline that quickly.
'Fallingforyou' by The 1975.
This song has impacted me in the way Call Me By Your Name did. The falling feeling of crushing on someone so hard is well encapsulated in this track. I find myself falling in love with non-existent people whenever I listen to this song.
'Lovin’ You' by Minnie Riperton.
I was even more mesmerised with this song when I saw the music video. This song always inspires me every time I listen to it, but always in different ways. It’s a pretty nice palate cleanser when you feel like breaking away from your usual playlist.
'Rock With You' by Michael Jackson.
I can’t help but dance when I listen to this song. It just seeps into your bones and you just have to move.
'Stuck With You' by LUNADIRA.
I had to include this. It’s my first ever major project and I can’t help but feel really sentimental towards it. It’s my baby