#MusicExchange: Luna Paige celebrates 21 years in music

The show made its debut at the Woordfees annual arts festival in Stellenbosch shortly before lockdown. Little did Luna know this would be her first and last performance of her new material performed by her and her newly assembled band consisting of Schalk van der Merwe, Frank Freeman and Blake Hellaby.

© Jeandri Streicher

Paige wrote songs that explore issues such as artistic relevance in a socio-politically sensitive period.

She introduced both English and Afrikaans songs as well as performance poetry she wrote to help convey her message in ’21 Years Later’. The show was well-received, and Luna is happy to be able to share it on 10 July.

Those who missed her once-off performance in March can now tune in to hear Paige perform her new original material, which is long overdue. Purchase your R120 ticket at Webtickets.

Thereafter, you will be provided with a link which will go live at 7pm on Friday your show of choice is running. It will stay live for the remainder of the weekend for your viewing pleasure (see attached).

I caught up with the dynamic Paige last week.

The new decade means:

An even greater ability to adapt and think outside the box. To hold on to the passion and the root of your own creativity as it guides you through the unknown

Fame is about:

Doing what you do well and enthusiastically.

Retirement will happen when:

Your body won’t allow you to do what you are passionate about anymore. Luckily, music perpetuates a sense of youthfulness, so I don’t think this will happen soon.

I don't do:

A work that kills my sense of wonder and curiosity.

What does music mean to you?

It is an extension of me. My way of self-expression and communicating and connecting with other people in a meaningful way. It is healing.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The fact that I can express my ideas freely and share them with big groups of people. Not many people get to do that. It is a way of softly influencing others and touching them some way or the other.

© Wilma Kotze

Any funny moments on stage?

The zip of one of my dresses stripped on stage. The whole dress flapped open like a split snoek.

Your heroes:

All uncompromising artists who manage to become successful. It is not easy to stay true to oneself in this industry. Keeping the ego contained is an art form in itself. It can very often lead us to make compromising decisions. Artists like Nick Cave come to mind.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

The CEO of ClemenGold and his wife (Abraham van Rooyen and Elize Taljaard). As a unit, they are an example of people who give back more than they receive. They are wonderful supporters of the arts, conservation and spiritual health

What is your most treasured possession?

My electric piano. I would feel lost without it.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

I’ll start with a good red and end off with an Irish whiskey on the rocks.

Dream gig to do:

My next goal is a successful solo European tour. That would be one big gig in my mind! No specific venue.

Nicknames:

Some of my friends call me Poen, Poena or Loempies. Don’t ask me why!

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

I would probably work in community and welfare programme development. This is what I studied. I worked in the social work field for some time and leaned towards the development field.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Ever-growing, inquisitive, observational, persevering, altruistic.

© Robert Hamblin

Five favourite SA albums of all time: 

Boo! - Pineapple Flava
Jennifer Ferguson - Hand Around the Heart
André le Toit -  Vêr van die Ou Kalahari
Valiant Swart - Deur Die Donker Vallei
Blues Broers - Cellar Tapes (as Hidden Cellar was my student hang out)

What song changed your life?

Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need A Hero” – there is a backstory! I discovered my voice on this song, as a young girl with a cheap mic my granny bought me. Up until that moment, I sang with a high pitched little girl's voice. “I Need A Hero” required a woman's voice and some balls. I frightened myself that day

What is your favourite word?

Scrumptious. “Knoesig” – someone I know unknowingly mixed the words “snoesig” (cuddly) and “knus” (cosy) together and created a whole new word “knoesig”. I think it's lovely. Perfectly describes the feeling.

Favourite fashion garment:

My winter boots.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

“Ek lyk soos wie-kom-hie-aan.” In my world, it means I do not look very good (a bit shy for the way I look that day).

Top of your bucket list:

A yearly three-month gig tour somewhere else in the world. An artist residency in Ireland while exploring folk music there.

Your greatest achievement:

Being able to make music and living my dream as a musician for the last 21 years. It's been tough but I’m still doing it and gets better every year.

What do you complain about most often?

False/disloyal people. Gets me every time!

What is your fear?

Failure. Silly, cause we have to fail to learn.

On stage, I tend to:

Talk a lot. Offstage, not so much if I don’t know you.

The best life lesson you have been taught:

You deserve luxury. You deserve the best. You determine your own success. Always check in to see what you want and whether you are still on course. We get sidetracked so easily and what we want often changes through life.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

I support local charities. During the lockdown, I sponsored one of my gig night proceeds (livestream) towards a local feeding scheme in my area. We are now also releasing a song “Reach the Sky”, which will be raising funds for feeding schemes and artists/musicians who are struggling financially at the moment.

Wishes and dreams:

Travel – this is something that inspires me. I want more of it in my life. Financial freedom – to be able to support my wider family I want to see my country free of racism and violence. I want our citizens to feel safe. I want to somehow contribute to building the necessary bridges to make that happen. I know it will take forever. But it must be possible. We have to believe that if we want to change.

Social media:

www.lunapaige.com
www.iluminarproductions.co.za
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