Lucy Park is an artist who bids your attention. Her striking, yet soothing voice gliding over melodic sounds is something that once you hear, you can’t ignore. Back in 2020, Lucy released her first single, “Rain”, which generated a well deserved buzz and left fans anticipating her next release. On her debut project, Before I Speak EP , Lucy gives us a preview of who she is as an artist, taking listeners through a self-reflective journey of moving on from a pernicious and distorted lover.

We recently caught up with Lucy and got a chance to talk about her start in music, forming the label After Dinner Records alongside friends, her latest single “Brighter Days” and more. Check out our Q&A with the London/LA based artist below and listen to Lucy’s catalog on Spotify and Apple Music.

You started your music journey around 2018 and published your first song, Rain, in 2020. What was the period between those two points like? How and in what ways did you grow as an artist during that time?

I was mostly just writing in my college dorm room when I first started putting stuff out. The response from that made me realize I wanted to properly pursue music, and as I slowly made my way into the session world, I became fascinated with collaboration. It completely changed how I thought about writing and it showed me how much more inspiring it could be to write with other people. I have grown so much as an artist since then because I am constantly learning form the people around me.

What was the feeling when you released your first song? How did it compare to when you released your EP, Before I Speak?

When I put out my first song, I didn’t have any expectations for how it would go. Nobody knew who I was and I kinda just put it out to test the waters. I was much more nervous releasing the EP because there was a lot more planning and intention behind it and I felt like people expected it to sound a certain way. Hopefully releasing will get easier as I put out more stuff!

The moods and vibes throughout the EP feel so carefree, yet intentional. The lyrics carry emotion but are assembled in such a loose & thoughtful way that makes the songs relatable for anyone who listens. What’s the collaboration process like when you and your team are putting together a song?

Haha thank you! It’s different every time. I have a wonderful band that helps make the songs together, but I do a lot of writing with Anoop or by myself, and then we all come together to finish each song. Sometimes we will start writing on one of Cam’s baseline’s or Rob’s chord progressions, it really just depends on the day.

How did the relationship between you and everyone you work with at After Dinner Records unfold? Any other team members you’d like to shout out?

We formed After Dinner Records during the pandemic when we were working together as a band every day. It sort of solidified our shared musical goals and became a project that we were all really excited about. And yes, everybody! My manager, Chase Brill, is the most hardworking person I know, and After Dinner Records would not run without him. Nor would it work without my wonderful boyfriend and producer, Anoop, who helps me get the music done, and the rest of the ADR family, Cam, Rob, Shai, and Dylan. Love them all!

From what I read, you had a lot of FaceTime sessions and recordings via voice memos because of the pandemic. How did that stray from what your process looked like prior; did that happen to allow for a different type of freedom and intimacy? Do you think you’ll continue to create this way going forward?

I have always spent good chunks of time away from my band when I visit home, but prior to the Pandemic, I never considered writing over FaceTime. It seemed too complicated but COVID forced me to try it and although it took some getting used to, I eventually found it really fun. I think I actually ended up doing a lot more sessions than I would have in person because I didn’t have to leave my bedroom. And yeah, voice memos are my best friend. I even used voice memos to record all the final vocals in my song, Cold, which was a song Anoop and I started writing over FaceTime.

You grew up around music; your dad and brother playing the guitar and waking up to music playing in the kitchen. How does your family feel about your recent success? Do you ever go to them for input?

My family has been wonderful in supporting my music. I usually play my parents what I’m working on when I go home, and they always have nice things to say. My brother, Charlie, is a little more critical but he has a great ear so if he likes it I know it’s a keeper.

We loved how you incorporated your Japanese heritage into the lyrics on “After All”. How do you think your presence as an Japanese-Korean-American artist is impacting the industry?

I’m not sure how much I have impacted the industry yet, but I do think that as I continue to pursue this career in music, I will hopefully be contributing to a more diverse music scene and encouraging other Asian women to explore creative fields as well. I hope that the lyrics in “After All” resonate with some of my Japanese listeners, and I'm planning on releasing a song in Japanese at some point, which I'm so excited for!

We love the new single, ‘Brighter Days’. How do you decide on which songs of yours release as singles? Is it a gut feeling or is there team input? What does the selection process look like for you?

Thanks so much ! I'd say the selection process is different every time, but my band always helps me with that kind of stuff and I really value their creative input. I wasn't sure about this track at first, but my team really liked it and helped me hear it in a different way.

A theme throughout your music is that the lyrics are intentionally loose so that the listener can have their own take. What’s the story that you are telling on "Brighter Days?"

This song is about finding yourself in a better headspace than before and reflecting on positive changes and those who supported you through them. It's also about the many brighter days ahead.

Will this single be part of a bigger project? If so, are there any details you want to share about it?

I'm working on my next EP at the moment, not sure if this will be on it, but I'm really excited to put out the next project!

We’ve read that you’re working on new music inspired by some old-school, throwback R&B Artists like D’Angelo and Lauren Hill. That sounds amazing and we’re excited to hear. What can we expect from you in the near future?

Yes, gotta love the old-school R&B influences. That is most of what I’ve been listening to lately so you can definitely expect that! I’m also working on some music that is much more upbeat and UK R&B influenced that is possibly coming a little before that so keep an eye out :)

Is there anything else you want listeners to look out for in the near future?

Yes! been working on lots of new creative stuff, keep an eye out for a music video for this track, and some merch coming in the near future.