Quarantunes: A playlist by Luna Aura

Kevin Bronson on August 25th, 2020

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Luna Aura’s transformation from pop to rebel rock earned an exclamation point with her latest single “Honey.” In today’s QUARANTUNES, check out three songs from her upcoming EP, find out why she’s feeling grateful and rock her “Girls Nite In” playlist.

THE LATEST FROM LUNA AURA

Luna Aura is in the middle of a remarkable metamorphosis from her days as a self-professed “alien pop star” to a full-on rebel rocker embracing the alternative sounds of yore. The Phoenix native, born Angela Flores, has rolled out three singles so far from her new EP “Three Cheers for the American Beauty,” out Oct. 2. The latest is “Honey,” a brash, Breeders-meets-Elastica rocker that Aura says “is about defiance and control. … I think most of us have experience with people underestimating us, or making us feel small in order to make themselves feel bigger. This is a song about chewing those people up and spitting them out. Reminding them who you are.” “Honey” followed a pair of singles from 2019, “Crash Dive” and “English Boys,” which ushered out the door (and off streaming services) her similarly themed work as a pop artist. Following influences such as Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, Hole and Gwen Stefani, Aura made the new EP with Grammy-nominated producer JT Daly. “Three Cheers” has a familiar (especially if you were around in the ’90s) but nonetheless electrifying sound.

HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MANAGE THE ‘STAY AT HOME’ EDICT?

I’m holding up! This has been such a difficult time for everyone, and I’m thankful that I have an outlet that allows me to express myself and my frustrations with the world. I’ve had to challenge myself more than ever to reach beyond music and learn new skills. I’ve been gardening, cooking, teaching myself the full Adobe suite so I’m able to create visuals for my fans. The closings have been a lot on my mental health, but I understand how absolutely lucky I am to have something I care about to get me through it.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THIS IS OVER?

SHOWS. I cannot wait to play another show! It feels like it’s been an eternity since I’ve been on a stage. I haven’t been able to take advantage of any virtual shows because we’re just now starting to release this new music, but I’m hoping to jump on a few now that we’re starting to roll out the EP! The best part about being a musical artist is the ability to go out and play your music live and connect with your fans IRL. It’s been challenging, but I’m hopeful we can get back to shows in the next year.

ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAYLIST?

This is my “Girls Nite In” playlist. Made up of some of my favorite female artists, and just straight jams from when I was growing up. There’s some new and old, and a little something for everyone. I am the performer I am today because of the badass women that came before me. I always found that I gravitated towards female artists growing up because they were proof that I could do this whole music thing myself. Best to listen to the playlist while you’re cooking that quarantine dinner, or when you’re having that second glass of wine at 2 p.m. … Cheers!