It is an arguable fact that there are three bands whose names are synonymous with the world-renowned Projekt label: Black Tape For A Blue Girl, Lycia and Love Spirals Downwards. In the case of Love Spirals Downwards critics have used the words ‘Ethereal’, ‘Angelic’ and ‘bliss’ full to try and capture in crude English the dreamlike music of the band.
Interview with Ryan Lum by Haydn Black.
When Ryan Lum (music) and Suzanne Perry (vocals) came to form Love Spirals Downwards several years back they were lovers, striving to craft a new kind of music.
They have clearly been successful. Their 1992 debut CD ‘Idylls’ became one of Projekt’s most popular releases. The tradition has continued through a number of albums which the band have successful been able to translate to live performances.
While most bands rely on a mix of songs, and raw sweat n’ power on stage acts such as Projekt are famed must engage the listener at a different level. Is it difficult to keep the audience enthralled show after show?
“I don’t think that is a problem. We just go out and play the best that we can and that’s about all we can do,” stated Ryan. “Fortunately, that seems to work fine for us most of the time.”
“We are certainly more of a studio band,” Ryan concedes, “but playing live is often very fun to do.”
Of course, with the hypnotic and drug-like nature of their music it has become a standard joke the band deliberately chose the name, so the initials would read LSD.
They are often asked if it was an intentional move. Has it been annoying?
“Yes, because I never know exactly how to answer the question,” answers Ryan.
While clearly the name once held great significance to the duo Ryan he says these days it’s just a name. He puts more store in individual song titles such as “Mirrors A Still Sky,” ‘Write In Water,” or “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” They are problematic and difficult, as Ryan admitted:
“When we finish recording a new album, about half of the songs are not yet titled. Often, we wait until the very last day possible to name a song.”
Then Ryan is subject to all kinds of rumours. It was once widely believed he wanted to head south, to the pollution-shrouded Mexico City where he was as big a rock star as The Spice Girls. The rumour, while false does hint at an underlying attraction for they pyramids of Mexico.
“The pyramids are fascinating,” declared Ryan. “We’ll be playing there again, so I hope to see them again.”
His connection with dead things goes further than that. One critic once labelled him a “guitar necromancer.” “I see all kinds of odd things written about us,” Ryan laughs “I don’t know how to take that comment at all.”
Still the music comes from within: “We just make the music we like,” Ryan says
Some have unfairly painted the band into a single style and Ryan freely admits to being restless, seeking to experiment with the bands style:
“Yeah, the next album will be a little different from our others. I’m getting a little bored making the same kind of thing over and over again. ‘Ever’ was a step in that direction. It’s refreshing to try things that I’ve not tried before. It’s a learning experience and that’s a good thing, or else you’ll end up doing the same things that your feel comfortable with.”
Labels are something he’s clearly uncomfortable with – whether it be the ubiquitous four-letter word “goth” or the popular European catalogue term “Heavenly Voices”:
“I don’t like the term ‘Heavenly Voices’. It ignores the fact the music is very powerful and magical, not just the voice. Plus, that ‘Heavenly Voices’ term conjures in my mind female voices trying to sing in a classical style but very badly done over some synthesisers. Suzanne just sings in what is natural to her, not trying to emulate any style.” Ryan explains.
LSD also gather comparisons to stable goth acts like the Cocteau Twins. However, Ryan says the band’s not-insubstantial goth following can be explained more through Projekt’s reputation:
“Projekt has been successful at marketing itself to goths. We’re not gothic, nor are any of the bands that influence us. Whoever thinks that we or Slowdive or the Cocteau Twins are goth must have a funny idea of what goth is.”
It has been said LSD is great music to fall asleep to. Ryan’s comments on that peculiar accolade:
“It’s tough for me to do that to my albums, but I can fall asleep to other people’s work that I like. So, I think that is good.”
LSD are currently weaving their magic over a new CD
“It has been very challenging for me, and having the large amounts of time that I need have been hard to find,” Ryan admits.
When all is said and done though, he feels LSD’s contribution to the history of modern music will be all to easily forgotten:
“It’s hard to guess what will happen in the future. But where we are now is pretty much what I have expected. I never wanted to try to become a huge band like Nirvana. I’m happy with where we are at. I don’t think we’ll be remembered in 60 years. It’s not like we are presidents or anything.”