Tag Archives: Suzanne Perry

Little Drummer Boy on Streaming Platforms

Originally recorded in 1999 for Projekt’s Excelsis vol. 2 ~ a winter’s song compilation, “The Little Drummer Boy” by Love Spirals Downwards is a playful yet atmospheric throwback to the band’s Flux era—when Ryan Lum was exploring breakbeats, airy pads, 808 basslines, and flowing syncopated rhythms.

This drum & bass–infused reimagining of the holiday classic features Suzanne Perry’s luminous vocals wrapped in surprisingly contemporary production, along with melodic jazz Rhodes by guest musician Gabriel D. Vine, who also contributed to “Beatitude” from the 2001 Ecstatic EP.

After Projekt declined the track, Lum made the MP3 available through lovespirals.com for the 1999 holidays, later bringing it to platforms like MP3.com, MySpace, SoundCloud, and YouTube before finally releasing it on Bandcamp in 2011.

Now, “The Little Drummer Boy” is receiving its first official release on major streaming platforms—including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music—so you can finally add this long-hidden holiday gem to your festive playlists.

Falling You ‘Shine’ feat. Love Spirals’ Vocalists

Once again, Love Spirals Downwards’ former vocalist, Suzanne Perry, and current vocalist, Anji Bee, have collaborated with John Zorko of Falling You. ‘Shine’ is the first of his albums to be released by Projekt, who are offering a limited edition CD as well as a digital release.

On the Projekt website, Suzanne Perry discussed “Until the Stars Align,” her contribution to Shine:

“Creatively, the ingenues that live in John and I connect. Getting a song from him is always surprising as he manages to weave an unexpected intergalactic sounding sound. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with these sounds to be honest, but I’ve grown fond of them and have come to know them as Zorkoesque. What did I think of when creating this song? As it has always been for me, it’s not been about thinking or connecting the sounds to the world as it is in these fleeting moments. But I recall thinking about the night sky. The lyrics for ‘Until the Stars Align’ were written mostly by Cris Miller.”

Projekt.com

Cris Miller, as you may recall, collaborated with Suzanne first in 2004 on a cover of “Sally’s Song” for the Projekt Holiday Single 2 maxi-CD under the name Melodyguild. Also known as Silver Screen, Miller contributed vocals as well as lyrics to the Falling You cut, making him perhaps the first male vocalist featured by John Zorko.

Club Violaine Reopening Party Reunion

Club Violane, “LA’s only shoegazer & dream pop party,” recently returned after a 2 year hiatus to celebrate a visit from one of its beloved founders, DJ Wednesday. Everyone came out to celebrate — including Suzanne — as well as Drew Pluta (formerly of Arcanta) and Rodney Rodriguez (formerly of The Von Trapps and Melodyguild), both of whom performed with LSD at our last concert. We also met up with Tom of Mira, whom I don’t think I’ve seen since Lovespirals toured with them in 2002.

There’s a cool video about Club Violaine reopening on YouTube:

“Little Drummer Boy” Single Now Available

It’s been a dozen years since Love Spirals Downwards founder, Ryan Lum, created this ambient drum & bass rendition of the classic Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” but at long last, it is finally available for sale! Originally conceived and recorded in 1999 for the Projekt Records holiday music series, Excelsis, this recording has never been properly released. This was the last song that Suzanne Perry contributed vocals to, and it’s sound is very reminiscent of the band’s final album, ‘Flux.’ Like the 1999 Lovespirals song, “Beatitude,” it features jazzy Rhodes piano by guest musician, Gabriel D. Vine, of Monkey Bars.

Over the past decade, 2 versions of this cover song have been floating around the Internet under different titles; there’s the polished aforementioned vocal version, as well as an earlier demo mix which features vinyl vocal samples from a classic old-school Christmas record. This demo mix is stripped down, with more emphasis on Ryan’s funky live bassline, and less use of synth pads. Both versions are quite catchy and a fun addition to anyone’s holiday music library. Pick up the 2 track single for just $2 in the high quality digital audio format of your choice from the newly launched Lovespirals Bandcamp Store


New Falling You Album Featuring Suzanne and Anji Out Now

The 2-time NAR Lifestyle Music Award winning musical project, Falling You, just released a new album entitled, Adore, on Magnatune. Enigmatic band founder and producer, John Michael Zorko, has long worked with a revolving cast of talented and varied female vocalists including Lovespirals Downwards own Suzanne Perry, Victoria Lloyd (of Claire Voyant and Mono Chrome), Dru Allen (of Mirabilis and This Ascension), Erica Mulkey (AKA Unwoman), and Shikhee (of Android Lust) — just to name a few.

In her first appearance with Falling You, Lovespirals’ vocalist, Anji Bee, contributes lyrics and vocals to the ambient opening track, “Blessed,” penned about her relationship with bandmate, Ryan Lum, who engineered and recorded her vocal tracks.

Suzanne contributed lyrics and vocals to the album’s second track, “Champagne.” With its summery dream pop feel, this collaboration brings to mind her work with Melodyguild. Suzanne had previously been featured on Falling You’s 2006 album, Human, and 2008 album, Faith.

Long time friend of Love Spirals Downwards, Lovespirals, Anji Bee, and Falling You, Ken Lee (of Eleven Shadows), mixed and mastered the songs of Adore alongside John at his Blueberry Buddha Recording Studios.

Continue reading New Falling You Album Featuring Suzanne and Anji Out Now

Suzanne’s Infamous Chupacabra Story

Do you remember when the X-Files had that episode with the Chupacabra? Well, it made a big impact on Love Spirals Downwards back in the day. Suzanne commented on its spooky power in this infamous story told live on-stage at the Projekt Festival on 8/1/1997, held at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL. Classic Suz stage banter!

Read Ryan’s original post about ProjektFest 1997 mentioning the rowdy crowd issue. There’s some great performance photographs, as well.

Melodyguild EP Released by Projekt

The long awaited debut album by Melodyguild — the band of Love Spirals Downwards’ vocalist, Suzanne Perry — has finally been released. The ‘Aitu’ EP — originally announced in early 2003 — will officially drop June 10th, but it’s available online now via Projekt. This 4-song digipac CD is currently #6 on the Projekt Top 10 – congrats!

Continue reading Melodyguild EP Released by Projekt

Melodyguild on Projekt’s ‘Holiday Single 2’

Projekt just released a limited edition Maxi CD in their popular Excelsis series entitled ‘Holiday Single 2.’ Here’s what it posted on the Projekt website:

Limited edition of 1000! The companion to Holiday Single 1 presents more splendid music to get you in the winter mood! It features the recording debut of melodyguild, the new band from former Love Spirals Downwards vocalist Suzanne Perry (doing a cover of “Sally’s Song” from The Nightmare Before Christmas), another beautifully chilling original from Projekt’s own Unto Ashes, and an original song from Middle Pillar Presents recording artist The Mirror Reveals. Packaged in an environmentally friendly 5″ cardboard wallet. Cover Photo by Vaclav Jirasek (website). 

projekt.com

Check out Holiday Single 2 on Projekt

LSD Interview on Space Disco for Fish Tacos

Ryan and Suzanne performed live on the “Space Disco For Fish Tacos” show in the KUCI radio station in Irvine on December 16, 1998. The following is a transcript of the post-performance interview by show host, 9-5 Superspy.

Audio of LSD performing “Alicia” on KUCI 88.9 FM, 1998

9-5 Superspy: Alright, you’re listening to KUCI 88.9 FM, in Irvine. This is 9-5 Superspy and I’m here with Ryan and Suzanne, from Love Spirals Downwards.

Suzanne: (mimics DJ’s calm voice) We’re here with Daniel.

Ryan: How’s it going, G? I need a better stage persona. You know, people have these cool names and stuff? I was thinking of “G.” But then there’s that whole thing with Warren G. and Garth Brooks fighting over the G.

Suzanne: Oh is that what the “G’d up sound” is?

Ryan: Yeah. Mmm hmm.

Suzanne: The “G’d up sound with the Pion…” is that what that is?

9–5 Superspy: I guess.

Suzanne: Oh my God.

Ryan: Yeah… But there’s Daddy G. in Massive Attack. So that’s already taken. So I dunno. I think I’m gonna scrap the G.

Continue reading LSD Interview on Space Disco for Fish Tacos