Dean Luke

You’ve played in rock bands for years, but your solo work leans into something much more introspective and dreamlike. What led you to make that shift, and how does ‘Joan of Arc’ reflect where you’re at musically and personally right now?

During the time when I was playing a lot more rock stuff, I still really liked the style of music I'm making now. I even wrote a lot of music in this style, even though I wasn't doing much in terms of recording and releasing it. I think the biggest thing that caused any kind of shift was that I was looking to explore something new and also step out on my own as a solo artist. I think Joan of Arc represents the style of songwriting and lyric writing I want to explore right now. Personally - I think it reflects that I'm more willing to explore personal topics in my music.

You’ve said that ‘Joan of Arc’ was inspired by the experiences of people close to you. How do you navigate writing about others’ pain while keeping your voice authentic and grounded?

When I'm writing more about other peoples experiences, I approach it as if the experience is something shared by many. I think this makes me feel a bit more comfortable and authentic writing about it, which probably makes the song seem more authentic. I also try to find some of my own experiences that I can draw from in their experience. Sometimes I also group different experiences together so it doesn't feel like I'm writing about any one person. I think the experiences of the Joan of Arc women in the song are pretty universal.

Joan of Arc’ draws on the powerful image of a woman persecuted for her beliefs. What made you choose her as the symbolic figure for this heartbreak narrative?

I think I just liked playing around with the comparisons. Joan of Arc has become synonymous with martyrdom, persecution and suffering. The song is about a woman who has been mistreated and heartbroken by someone they thought loved them, so I used the name Joan of Arc for this woman to draw parallels between the suffering experienced by the real Joan of Arc. 

You’ve been compared to artists like Elliott Smith and Jeff Tweedy. Do those comparisons resonate with you? Who are the songwriters that truly shaped your approach, especially on this new single?

I find these comparisons very flattering because I really love Elliott Smith and Jeff Tweedy. They resonate with me in the sense that I love these artists so their influences are probably creeping into my music subconsciously to some degree. I've always been really inspired by 90's dream pop artists. Bands like Red House Painters, Mojave 3, Yo La Tengo, Mazzy Star and even the softer songs by The Smashing Pumpkins really inspired Joan of Arc. In terms of the vocals, the falsetto was probably subconsciously inspired by Thom Yorke and Jeff Buckley.

There’s a clear emotional thread that runs through your lyrics—loss, longing, existential tension. Is songwriting cathartic for you, or more of a process of observation and craft?

It's both. Making music is always cathartic to me, even if I'm not writing about anything that would suggest I'm seeking catharsis. I also really love the craft of music and songwriting, that alone is enough to make me want to write. I think the emotional thread in my lyrics comes a lot from wanting to write about stuff that's authentic in a way that feels authentic. 

You’ve been described as having an “unguarded” presence on stage. Do you bring that same openness into the studio when writing or recording, especially for something as emotionally layered as ‘Joan of Arc’?

I try to when I'm writing. I try to let the songs come out in the most authentic way possible. When I write, I'll arrange the song at home in a DAW so I can spend as much time as I need getting it to sound the way I feel it should. By the time I go into the studio to record it all properly, I know exactly what I need to do so I can make the most of the time I have.