Spiral Circus is a five-track EP that bears the influence of the 60s Beach Boys – Beatles sounding – «my music is like a rusty cranked merry-go-round» recounts Lukas Ionesco
Lukas Ionesco released his third EP Spiral Circus
Actor and singer-songwriter, the twenty-eight-year-old was revealed for his role in Larry Clark’s The Smell of Us, starred in the feature film Une Jeunesse Dorée before venturing into the music scene and performing in London, New York and Paris. Singing about love and despair, the French prodigy has just released his third EP Spiral Circus.
Lukas Ionesco’s earliest musical memories were shaped by his father
Lukas Ionesco’s father was a set designer in the film industry – but a music enthusiast at home. Every evening, young Ionesco would witness his father strumming his guitar, playing and composing. «All my half-siblings from my dad’s side are musicians. That’s just the kind of atmosphere we had at my dad’s place» explained the young musician.
As a child his parents would make him listen to punk music, recalls Lukas Ionesco and for his 8th birthday, he received CDs of the Ramones and a live concert recording of Iggy Pop. In the 70s, his father had acquired a Fender guitar that once belonged to English rock star Eric Clapton. «He once told me that the guitar would accompany him to the grave and that I should never lay a finger on it but ended up gifting it to me for my fourteen birthdays», Ionesco candidly shared.
Lukas Ionesco – Learning music as an autodidact
Ionesco didn’t learn to play the guitar through formal lessons or music theory. Instead, he relied on his innate ability to listen and observe others. «When I play with other musicians they keep on telling me « It’s funny how you’ve forgotten the notes», he confessed with a half-hearted chuckle before adding, «it’s true I may not know their names, but I have them at my fingertips and in my ear».
Most of the musicians he collaborates with, advise him not to delve too deeply into learning the technical aspects, as his peculiar way of playing brings a unique flavor to the music. Rather than composing in an academic manner, Ionesco embraces a more organic approach. «My playing might be a bit unconventional, but it’s fluid and there’s a childlike quality to it», he explained.
Today, as Lukas Ionesco embarks on recording his fourth EP, for a more efficient communication in the studio he began reacquainting himself with the names of the notes. But assures us with a grin that he’ll soon forget them again, fully embracing his instinctual approach to music.
Lukas Ionesco – Channeling his rage into musical production
Starring in Larry Clark’s film The Smell of Us at eighteen-year-old proved to be a harrowing and traumatic ordeal for Lukas Ionesco. Feeling completely shocked and shaken, he made the firm decision to steer clear of further casting opportunities, determined not to subject himself to the same experience twice. «I was disgusted by the film industry nearly everyone I knew in Paris had been involved in that movie, and staying in the city became unbearably oppressive as everything reminded me of that painful experience», explains Ionesco.
During the film preparation he had struck up a friendship with the scriptwriter, who hailed from Nantes and had a circle of musician friends there. So, when summer drew to a close, Ionesco made up his mind to bid adieu to Paris and moved to Nantes. As he knew a few folks from the music scene there, it didn’t take long for him to assemble a raucous hardcore punk band called Crash. «I needed to let off steam. I’d be screaming my lungs out during rehearsals, always carrying my father’s guitar but hardly ever playing it», he said.
Lukas Ionesco caught the attention of Modzik magazine – the live performance in Paris
Soon enough, the young man grew tired of the intense energy he had previously embraced and found himself drawn to softer influences, particularly the 90s folk bands that emerged during the grunge era, such as Nirvana. With his father’s infamous guitar in hand, he began composing his own music. In a single evening, Ionesco managed to write nearly ten tracks. Encouraged by a musician friend who had a tape recorder, they joined forces and formed a duo called Diaper-Pin. «We made a pact to create one track per day and started selling them on platforms like Facebook and Bandcamp. Our cassette tapes gained quite a following in Japan» exclaimed Ionesco.
Their growing recognition caught the attention of Modzik magazine, which invited the newly formed duo to record a live performance and participate in an interview in Paris. «My mate didn’t feel like continuing the band but for me it was the first time I thought music could really become a serious path» explains Ionesco, this experience serving as a turning point, igniting his belief in the potential of a musical career.
Paris-Texas – a first EP, under Ionesco own name
Upon his return to Paris, Ionesco was offered by a group of friends who had launched their first label spanning between Paris and New York to sign him in. He quickly found himself whisked away to New York to record his first EP in Bob Dylan’s studio. «As I’d always done things on my own I was incredibly anxious and didn’t quite feel prepared ». Here he was thrown straight into the deep end with guys who sang and composed admirably. «My girlfriend at the time had surprised me by recording her voice in Paris, and on the day of the mix I heard her», Ionesco reminisced. As the project progressed, it became apparent that Diaper-Pin was more of a band name, and Ionesco made the decision to pursue his artistic journey under his own name.
Everything began to move at a rapid pace and by the time he got back to Paris, a music video had already been filmed on VHS. Lukas Ionesco felt ready to release the EP, but disagreements arose and everything quickly became complex. «Unfortunately, it ended up costing me my friendship with those guys from the label», the young man sadly concluded.
Magic Stone: a DIY, self-made vinyl record
After that experience, Ionesco was eager to show he could make an EP on his own. While he may have lacked some studio production skills, he had a clear vision in mind: creating an EP that would capture the essence of a cassette playing on a car radio. «At the time, I listened to Ariel Pink’s albums, which he had recorded in his bedroom and mastered on cassette tape», explains Ionesco acknowledging that was before Ariel Pink was seen attending a Pro-Trump rally.
Ionesco then composed most of the tracks in the countryside in Normandy, where he had his studio for a while.To achieve the desired raw and intimate sound, Ionesco mastered the EP by a crackling fire pit, strategically placing microphones throughout the space. «You can hear all sorts of little crackling noises, my own voice, and the sound of the floor beneath me», he shared. Recording this second longer EP in one-week lonesco aimed for authenticity, deliberately giving each track a single take. «I didn’t care about achieving a perfect vocal or flawless guitar performance. I wanted the strings to sizzle, and occasional off-key notes», said the musician about this DIY vibe he wanted to give to his first vinyl Magic Stone.
Spiral Circus: a latest EP made in collaboration with producer Marcello Giuliani
For his latest EP, Ionesco ask the help of Marcello Giuliani, bassist and producer known for his work with artists like Etienne Daho and Jane Birkin. The two had crossed paths during Lukas’s teenage years, and Giuliani played a crucial role in helping him shape his early songs. Released on June 1st, Spiral Circus is a five-track EP that bears the influence of Giuliani’s love for 60s Beach Boys – Beatles sounding. And it also represents Ionesco’s determination to learn from his past musical and life experiences and prove wrong to his doubters.
Spiral Circus is also a piece filled with meaning and revendication. The Parisian social scene left a mark on Lukas Ionesco’s personality. «I was immersed in it growing up, and at some point, I freaked out about how much you can pretend and play a role without even realizing it», he said. The relentless social pressure to maintain an appearance of success weighed heavily on him. Ionesco explains, «The track Just Two Clowns delves into that figurative costume you put on in a moment of social representation», and follows «there’s a duality in clowns that interests me, they’re funny but scary at the same».
This EP also serves as a metaphor for the experience of being on stage, «and often feeling lonely», said Ionesco. In the music video for Everybody Knows, the audience becomes a figment of the musician’s imagination. Depending on the play of light, the room seems empty or full. Peering from the shadows of the spotlights, people are mocking and judging him. «All this socialite crowd really affected me. It made me anxious to the point that sometimes I can’t get out without having anxiety attacks»—a distressing reality he sought to confront through his art.
Due to the second lockdown, Marcello Giuliani, his producer, found himself off touring with his studio equipment at home. This circumstance provided an opportunity for both to produce Spiral Circus at their own pace. The collaboration allowed them to create an EP reflecting a shared artistic vision while incorporating Lukas Ionesco’s growth and ambition as a musician. The EP’s artwork bears its own significance.
A spinning top created by Sonia Fleischmann, the mother of Ionesco’s girlfriend, Salomé Rose Stein. Renowned for her unconventional approach, Fleshman creates drawings using her left hand and writes their corresponding names with her eyes closed. Enamored by these captivating illustrations, Ionesco asked for it to be the cover of his album. While, all the other covers were drawn by Salomé in her very unique childlike aesthetic.
Looking ahead: singing in French and acting again
Creating an album entirely in French has become Lukas Ionesco’s next compelling pursuit. «In terms of composition, it’s much more satisfying, even if I’m a little uncomfortable with my own language, it makes me want to tell much stronger stories», explains the young singer. The album’s title, “Jacobus,” holds a special significance as it pays tribute to his paternal grandfather — which is also his own middle name—. Through this project, Ionesco aims to tell stories of his failures, loves, friendships, and the remarkable moments that have crossed his path.
Two tracks of Lukas Ionesco’s upcoming album have already been recorded. The first one delving into the intricate realm of his family heritage. «The first one talks about my family sorry mom. But she does it well in her books. We’re a family of artists, so we express ourselves and that’s normal», candidly acknowledges Ionesco. Amidst his musical endeavours, Ionesco keeps on harbouring a deep-seated passion for acting, lately revitalised by the guidance of a new agent and a dedicated coach. The silver screen alluring once again the young artist.
Anna Prudhomme
