In addition to his successes as a songwriter, Luning’s exciting and naturally captivating performances have landed him on stages with artists like the Tedeschi Trucks Band (receiving standing ovations), John Hiatt, Leon Russell, Band of Heathens, Dustbowl Revival, Aubrie Sellers, Elvin Bishop, and Rodney Crowell, among many others. And he’s been enthusiastically received at music events around the globe, such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Bottlerock Napa, Kate Wolf, Black Swamp Arts, and Ramblin’ Roots in the Netherlands.

 

Luning brings his consummate storytelling skills and musical ingenuity to his third album, Lessons. The songs range from the echoing poignance of “Out of My Head”, to the infectious rhythms of “The Way It Goes” and the ethereal strains of “The Moon Looks Cool Tonight.” Luning, a multi-instrumentalist, plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, percussion and synth on the new album. “Recording is really my favorite thing to do in this world and it was a treat to get to work with Damien Lewis (producer/engineer) and the many incredible musicians that brought this album to life.” The blend of folk, blues, and country offers a freedom and spaciousness that allows Luning to follow his reflections down wherever they lead him, resulting in soaring, cinematic moments or flashes of quiet introspection.

 

“The chorus for ‘Lessons’ came to me a couple years before I wrote the rest of the song. I guess I didn’t feel ready to write it yet. Finally, in a bumpy period of self-reflection, the song said ‘ok now it’s time.’ It was one of those rare wonderful moments that I sat down and it just spilled out.” On “You Like the Rain,” Luning weaves his raw baritone vocals around his circling fingerpicking and gentle strumming, as he delivers this touching love song that reflects on the simple things that draw lovers together. “My girlfriend would get so excited when it rains. It’s incredibly endearing. I pretty much hated the rain before I was with her, but I can’t help but like it now.”

 

On “The World Goes Around Again” the instrumental bridge carries the song into the sonic stratosphere, conveying the swirling eddies of certainty and confusion we experience in the world. “As I’ve been getting older, I’ve been thinking a lot more about life and how the world works… It’s a wild realization that no matter what happens, whether people live or die, do right or wrong, the world keeps going. It keeps changing, it keeps turning, it keeps moving. So it really comes down to your outlook. You can interpret it all as something heavy; like you will never be able to catch up with the world, and tomorrow will just be another struggle. Or, you can look at it like every tomorrow is a new opportunity to find beauty.” On the first single, “Down Below”, Luning states, “Sometimes there are things in life you regret to the extent you feel like you are a lost cause.” “The Way It Goes” is an uptempo song with crunchy guitars and a piercing lead line that resembles Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. “I wanted it to reflect on what it takes sometimes to get back on your feet and keep going.” “Ain’t Easy to Love Me” might be the quintessential musician’s love song, for it’s an airy folk rocker about the difficulties of loving a musician who’s gone all the time.

 

With Lessons, Luning clearly continues to grow as a songwriter and musician. “Sometimes, writing songs is all enveloping and the best little world to get lost in, and other times, it’s a total battle. I feel that starting a song by not thinking too much seems to be the best way for me to connect more naturally to the music and let the creativity guide the process.” Luning’s new full length “Lessons” released on September 6th, 2024.

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- Henry Carrigan (No Depression)

 

"This is a terrific album of modern Americana, full of heart and insight, framed beautifully with subtle yet superb playing and production. Don’t miss it."

 

             - The Daily Vault