An Interview with Luna Shade
Living in Northern Colorado, one name I have heard a lot is Luna Shade. Even before I was properly introduced to the local music scene, their name was stirring something up by finding a way to get past the barriers so many local artists struggle with. Now they are one of the premiere reggae groups in Colorado, leading the way in Northern CO, and looking to go beyond the state.
Getting ready to set off on their first national tour, I had the chance to catch up with frontman, Andrew Ricci, and ask a few questions.
DW- Where does the name “Luna Shade” come from?
AR- When I was 25 I met my father, Eddy Ricci, for the first time in San Carlos, Uruguay. He didn’t speak the greatest English and I didn’t speak any Spanish, but one thing I always heard him reference was the Luna Shade. He spoke about how he loved the way a shadow was formed from the moon behind a palm tree. My father then passed 3 years later. I’ll always be grateful for my short chance to connect with him and learn about my roots as he was also a very active musician and painter. So in the Ricci name, I decided to name the group Luna Shade.
DW- Sweet story, I always love it when the band name has some meaning behind it and that is refreshing to hear one so personal. Who are LS biggest influences, music or beyond?
AR- The band ranges from multiple backgrounds such as Roots music> UK Dub > Jahwiian Reggae > American Reggae and even a hint of jam bands. For me personally, those who influence me are my brother, Gaston Ricci, my mother, Lisa Schnell, My Fiancee, Amanda Messier.
Musically: Groundation, Bob Marley, Iya Terra, and all of our smaller local groups. Giving space for Rastafari and Caribbean culture is also huge for me. We have to give thanks to those who paved the way before we.
DW- Explain a little of the forming and transformation of LS over the last few years?
AR- Luna Shade has been through the ringer with transformation, but as anything else goes, finding your true core players will always take time. I do believe now that we have a pretty strong foundation and great chemistry.
Andrew started writing his own music while living in St Croix. When he came back, he wanted to start a full band. The first lineup of Luna Shade was more poppy folk reggae and lasted for a year or so. After that, LS switched co-frontman, Ismael Mendoza (Ish) to drums and they developed more of a mashup American sound/dub sound and roots sound.
Ish still sings in the band just as much if not more and he always sings in Spanish. Spanish influence from Ish is really important to Andrew because of his relationship with his father and the barrier that language had between them.
DW- Tell us about your first tour? What are you excited for and what are you hoping for?
AR- We are really just most excited to meet everyone we haven’t gotten to meet face to face during the pandemic. There are a lot of fans and artists alike that we truly just want to connect with! Also, from a band stand point, I believe that trips like this can either make you or break you, but because we have found such great members in Luna Shade, I am really excited to bond with our members and grow that much closer.
DW- What are your thoughts of the Colorado scene overall and how LS mixes into it?
AR- Overall I take pride in being from Colorado and how tight knit our scene really is. I think being in a mountainous region with some darker days really pulls out strong emotion for the bands in the area and it most certainly reflects on the “Mile High Reggae Sound”. Which I think is great. I’m seeing a lot of groups in the area coming together in collaboration more and more and it’s great to see Colorado really define its sound such as other regions do as well.
As for Luna Shade, we’re part of that Colorado sound and I feel we tend to hold a sharper edge when it comes to live performance. It’s not all “Good vibes only”. There’s some real darkness in the world and I think it’s important to bring light upon that.
DW- I totally feel that. As a Colorado artist myself, I am yet to write a very happy song. Something about this place just makes us want to go deepering and you worded that so good.
If you could send one message to your fans, followers and potential followers, what would it be?
AR- Life is truly too short not to forgive and forget, not to follow your dreams or not to be kind whenever you can. If you have dreams, go chase them. Be the best you can be and hold each other up. That’s really the only way we will ever progress. Treat your body well and give yourself love. “Be the king you want to see in the world”.
