LUNA BIOGRAPHIES

Romantica
Luna Live
The Day of Our Nights
Pup Tent
Penthouse
Various Reviews

ROMANTICA BIOGRAPHY

Luna formed in New York City back in 1992....like, when people were still
listening to Grunge. And over the course of five studio LPs and last year's
stellar live disc, the band have earned a place for themselves among the
greats. They've perfected the art of melodic guitar pop, consistently
topping the college radio charts, and giving devoted Luna pundits cause to
celebrate with each new release.

But why Romantica? "I was riding the subway, and there was an ad for a
Latin radio station that claimed to play Musica Romantica y Moderna," says
frontman Dean Wareham. "I liked that, and it seemed to fit thematically with
the record." Agreed. Romantica is a collection of 12 songs, valiantly
exploring the finer points of stars and Asian food, astronauts and black
champagne, Swedish fish, disco lights, the sandman, and (above all) love.
These are Luna songs through and through--whether they're fuzzed-out and
groovy (Black Postcards), sweetly sinister (1995), or a sweeping, sliding,
near-country rollick (Rememories). And yeah, Dean still delivers those
goose-bump inducing, epic-pop numbers that make you wanna cry (see:
Lovedust, and Renee Is Crying). Wareham is probably the only guy in rock
capable of conveying loss and longing through lyrics about Singapore
Noodles.

Romantica was produced by Luna and dB's stalwart Gene Holder at Jolly Roger
Recording in Hoboken, NJ. It was mixed by the infamous Dave Fridmann (see:
Mogwai, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, etc) at his own Tarbox Road Studio in
upstate New York (a bit of history: Fridmann recorded some demos for Luna's
stunning debut album, Lunapark, back in 1991, shortly after Dean quit
Galaxie 500).

Dave Fridmann's sonic experimentation is the perfect compliment to Luna's
signature surrealist pop. Sure, Sean Eden and Dean still duke it out
amicably with whirling guitar parts. And of course the latter's songwriting
is still impeccable. But filtered through Fridmann's eccentric ear,
Romantica sees Luna shining with a whole new lustre. The effect of Fridmann'
s spot-on sensibilities could almost be compared to putting the songs under
a high powered microscope: subtle gestures loom large, and familiar
landscapes radiate a supernatural glow.

Also adding a fresh dimension to the band is brand-new bassist Britta
Phillips, who lends her honey-soaked vocals to several Romantica tracks,
most notably Mermaid Eyes, a '50's-style duet of epically Grease-like
proportions. More history: Britta took over for longtime Luna member, Justin
Harwood, who has retired to a beach house in New Zealand. (Lucky bastard.)
Anyhow, Britta was a founding member of Belltower, created the voice of Jem
in the animated series Jem and the Holograms, and starred with Julia Roberts
and Justine Bateman in Satisfaction, a film about an all-girl rock band.
Coincidentally, Dean, who has also been doing a little acting lately, made
out with Justine Bateman in the independent comedy, Highball. He had this to
say about the experience: "She was a bit of a sloppy kisser, but she said
that was just the way that her character would have kissed." Says Dean, "I didn't really mind; I'm not really an actor anyway." Actually, if you must know, it's really Sean who is the classically trained thespian in the band. He studied acting at North Carolina School of the Arts. That's where he met Luna drummer, Lee Wall. The two have recently completed an album with their side project, The Weeds of Eden. (Neither have made out with Justine Bateman.)

Why is this a great record? If you asked us, we'd say it's because Romantica is classic Luna; it's full of the surprises that lie hidden within the everyday. Like a microscopic world, it's both alien, yet hauntingly familiar. And what makes Luna a great band? If you asked their fans, they'd tell you it's because Luna
keeps growing without losing their heart. Romantica is Luna's best yet.

LUNA:

Dean Wareham: guitar, lead vocal
Sean Eden: guitar, vocal
Lee Wall: drums
Justin Harwood: bass, vocal - Washington D.C.
Britta Phillips: bass, vocal - New York