In the span of a few years, Chris Luno has worked his way from recording a viral mix series on YouTube to becoming an international touring sensation.
Having found his calling attending a rave in Germany, Chris Luno embraced the scene and began solidifying his presence with DJ residencies in the Netherlands. In 2019, Chris embarked on a captivating mixed media YouTube series, featuring infectious sets in locations ranging from stunning to cozy. Now amassing an impressive 50 million collective views, this venture not only showcased his mixing prowess but also catapulted him onto the global stage, earning him a collaboration with deep house mainstays Tube & Berger .
Chris Luno's latest recorded mix is a 1-hour sonic journey from the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy.
Now a full-time touring artist, Chris Luno's influence extends far beyond his mixes. His productions, championed by industry giants such as Diplo, Gorgon City and Claptone, have garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify, while his diverse discography, found on labels such as Anjunadeep, This Never Happened and Purified Records, underlines its versatility.
With his latest single, “See You Again,” released via Sekora, Chris weaves soulful vocals into a deep, organic house arrangement. This song is a testament to his signature style, characterized by soulful melodies and soothing production. As Chris Luno continues to rise, “See You Again” marks another milestone in his journey from YouTube sensation to global dance music force.
Listen to “See You Again” below.
We caught up with Luno for an interview to talk about “See You Again,” his YouTube mixes, his tours, and more.
EDM.com: You just released your new single “See You Again.” Can you share the inspiration behind the song and how it came about?
Chris Moon:The album was recorded a few years ago, in Berlin Kreuzberg.
I wrote it on my last day at work, before becoming a full-time musician. I finished my last day at the office and went straight to the studio, where I started playing the marimba. I added some synths and a beat, something nice to the ears and then took the mic to sing on the track. I never actually sing my songs, but at the time I felt like it made sense.
However, the lyrics I chose were a little different than the final version, funnier and, to be honest, quite random. It said, “You know the feeling, when you get home, you turn on the screen and watch some Pokémon.” I liked the idea but felt that a suitable vocal could elevate the melody. A few weeks later I sent the song to a singer friend of mine, Azhar, he wrote some lyrics and recorded the vocals which can now be heard in the song. I'm really happy with how it turned out and I love seeing the reactions you've had so far.
EDM.com: YouTube elevated your music career; What was it like creating these mixes and how did the platform contribute to your success as an artist?
Chris Moon:Haha, that first mix was a very lucky accident. At the end of 2019 I bought a GoPro camera to film some underwater videos on a planned trip to Bali. To test the camera, I first attached it to our robot vacuum cleaner, which resulted in a fun time-lapse video of the robot running around my apartment in the most random manner. Next, I placed the GoPro on top of my record players in the freshly vacuumed living room.
Then I played a chill house set and uploaded the recording to YouTube, not knowing that this video would be seen by millions of people a few months later. In fact, not much happened immediately after loading. It took half a year for the algorithm to show the video to many people around the world. Shortly after, I received fan mail for the first time and they asked me for an autograph card haha. That was really wild. Since then, touring became more and more, and at the same time, I continued to produce and release music on labels like Anjunadeep, This Never Happened, and Purified Records.
So yeah, I'm very grateful that the YouTube gods helped me get my songs in front of people's screens. And I think GoPro was one of the best investments I've ever made.
EDM.com: Transitioning from the realm of YouTube and the studio to the live energy of touring can be a significant change. How did you adapt to the demands of life on tour?
Chris Moon:Before working on my own project, I already had an idea of what touring as an artist is like. Immediately after graduating, I interned for the German Deep House group Tube & Berger, where one of my duties was to manage their tours. So even before my tour started, I knew what I was getting into.
When touring picked up pace, I decided to drink only water during my shows, which really helps me stay productive. What also helps me deal with jet lag and the stress of touring is taking some time for myself before the show, taking cold showers, naps at the club, morning saunas and also occasional meditation. Also, if you travel a lot, these tricks can also help you:
– When boarding the plane, wait outside until everyone else gets on. This way, you may find an empty row of seats where you can take a nap.
– Sign up for airline membership and earn miles, it's free and worth it.
– Bring your own bottle to the plane and refill it. It's more sustainable and you can stay better hydrated than with small plastic cups.
– Download music production tutorials and watch them on the go.
– Bring slippers to the tour. This way, every hotel room feels more homely.
EDM.com: What have been some of your most memorable moments on tour?
Chris Moon:Playing in the UEFA Champions League final festival in Istanbul was the highlight of this year. The experience really felt like a movie and I love how this concert played out – it turned out that there was a talent scout present at a previous performance I had in Istanbul. This headhunter apparently had a good time and then decided to hire me a few weeks later.
EDM.com: At this point in your career, you've traveled the world and played at several iconic venues. How does your global exposure influence your current music? Do you draw inspiration from specific cultures or places?
Chris Moon:I love immersing myself in the places I stay. The longer I stay, the more it affects my creative output.
For example, after I moved to Berlin a few years ago, I sometimes went out just to hear what music made people dance. Just by putting myself in the perspective of a dancer, I have learned more about kick drums, bass lines, and arrangements than spending hours on music tutorials. I've produced quite a few tracks from those dance floor lessons. My recent release “Sterny” is one of them.
Additionally, when I spent time in Bali last year, I was captivated by the traditional instruments that can be heard throughout the island. The rhythms that are played, for example in a Gamelan, are truly out of this world and do not follow classical scales and structures. I didn't use any of the actual sounds in my tracks, but I still learned a lot about the rhythms of this peculiar instrument.
EDM.com: Your productions have already received praise from several industry heavyweights. Is there an artist on your wish list for future collaborations?
Chris Moon:Yes, there is a long list in the back of my mind! I would immediately launch into collaborations with the following, which I have spent hours listening to, according to my Spotify Wrapped 2023 report: Marsh, Monkey Safari, Rezident, Stephan Jolk, DJ Koze, Jody Wisternoff, Nils Hoffman, Adam Port. and Caliente since 82.
If any of you are reading this… slide into my DMs.
EDM.com: Looking ahead to 2024, what are your plans and aspirations? Any upcoming projects, collaborations or milestones you're excited to share with your fans?
Chris Moon:Looking ahead to next year, I'm looking forward to a good mix of music writing, concerts, and time spent with my wife, friends, and family.
As for touring, I'll be in Cape Town, South Africa early next year. From there, I'll be doing a full-scale tour of North and South America in the spring, followed by a summer festival in Europe. In the fall I would love to be in Asia/Australia.
FOLLOW CHRIS LUNO:
Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisLuno
Instagram: instagram.com/chrisluno
X: x.com/chrisluno
Spotify: spoti.fi/3t36aHl
