As we kick 2024 out the door and welcome 2025 with open arms, join us for a series of interviews with artists who’ve braved the year’s riffs, breakdowns, and questionable soundchecks. We’re diving into their triumphs, challenges, and everything that kept the music industry alive and kicking. We sat down with hard rock act LUPONERO to hear how they experienced 2024.
Hi there! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions about 2024. Let’s start with the obvious. How has 2024 been for you?
Thanks! This year’s been all about the “rebirth” of the band, which I guess you might call it. On one hand, LUPONERO is sort of a brand-new band. On the other, we’re a straight continuation of Marco Luponero & The Loud Ones. We changed our name, I guess we changed our music style quite a bit, too… Don’t tell anyone, but we even changed our underwear. They’re more colorful now. Of course, the main part of the year has been about the single “DAD BOD ROK GOD.” It became something of a small phenomenon. It’s been a pure joy to have so many respond so positively to the song. People have really taken it to their hearts, what more can you ask for? Since so much else has been building up, and most of my time’s been spent in the studio with producer Daniel Strang, we really didn’t play live much at all. Fortunately, we’ll be doing more of that next year instead.
How has signing with the Swedish boutique label Icons Creating Evil Art influenced LUPONERO‘s journey in 2024?
Before we were approached by Icons we had already prepared for a few different scenarios. I wasn’t even sure what I would require from a label in order for us to be ready to sign with them. But as soon as we started talking with Icons, I became extremely pleased with their vision. I love to be able to actively collaborate with a label, put in the real work, and build strategies that we can implement together. And that’s exactly what we now have with them. To be honest, it feels really good.
What has been the reaction to the re-release of LUPONERO‘s first single, “DAD BOD ROK GOD,” particularly on TikTok?
Getting Icons behind the song provided us with more firepower to reach out to people. I guess we’re up to almost a million views on TikTok at this point. Some 150.000 on YouTube. So, really good numbers, for those who like to keep track of such things. We’re constantly finding new areas of listeners for the track. Regardless of where we look geographically, the most active audience group obviously consists of the kinds of guys that the song is about. But it’s also cool to see that different kinds of influencers are starting to use the track.
What can fans expect from LUPONERO‘s debut album, and how does it differ from the style of “DAD BOD ROK GOD”?
Let me assure you, this is gonna be something else. It’s been a massive journey for me musically. Working out all kinds of demos into some really powerful pieces of art with the magnificent producer Daniel Strang was a pure blessing for me. He’s been with us every step of the way. There are some real listener-friendly bangers on it for sure, but also some more radical, deeper stuff. “DAD BOD” is a clear homage to a classic, ZZ TOP-inspired sound. But on the album, we take more from the ’90s, stuff that I grew up with, grunge, punk, and so on. There are also some clear ’80s references on it, as well as music inspired straight from the true classics such as THE BEATLES. All-in-all, I dare say it’s a strong record.
What can fans expect from LUPONERO in 2025?
Well, we’re looking forward to providing fans with the best kind of year – a lot of new music and plenty of touring. We’re building up for a European tour which I’ll be able to talk more about shortly. But before that, there will be singles and there will be a record. Things start happening in January, so be sure to stay in the loop by following us on social media and via luponeromusic.com!
Interview by Laureline Tilkin
Photo by: Fredrik Forssell
