Behind the name and the electric guitar, you’ll find Danish singer/songwriter and fuzz-loving guitar player Lauritz Carlsen, better known as Lou Z. Dressed in a leather jacket and a freshly trimmed mullet, he swings by themes like heartbreaks, loss, sorrow and the inevitable and unbearable detour of the human kind in a way that is best described as melancholic, heavy-hearted, but to-the-point – clean cut and with a pair of tired, dreamy eyes.
The music is covered in gritty analog soundscapes with many layers, but always with the electric guitar as the main supplement to the songs and vocals. In the studio, Lou Z plays many of the instruments himself but often with the aid of accomplished musicians such as drummers Sterling Laws (Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Berninger, The War On Drugs), Silas Tinglef (Trentemøller) and English gospel/soul singer Claire Virginia.
Having previously released two EPs as Lou Z, his debut album Holes for the Hearts is being released through the Danish indie label Møs Møs. The Copenhagen-based musician is a part of other local underground rock bands such as PBSM and Some Speak of the Future. Holes for the Hearts is an accumulation of songs written over the past five years. While writing, Lou Z did not intend to release an album but realized he had enough there to release his solo debut LP.
The album’s title track (and a great primer for Lou Z‘s unique sound), “Holes for the Hearts,” started as a beat on the analogue Korg DDD-1. The eclectic single features many different instruments and production facets including a combination of acoustic instruments like the mandolin, analog sounding programmed beats, a heavy fuzz guitar solo and a gospel-like chorus. It’s a love song that is unclear on whether that love is good or bad and the splitting feeling that comes with it.
What can you share with readers about your new project?
Lou Z is my solo project. I’m a Danish guitarplayer/sing/songwriter and I live in the woods just north of Copenhagen. I record most stuff in my attic where I’ve got a lot of old analog gear piled up. Maybe too much, but it’s just a lot of fun playing around with when doing music. I’ve just done a full-length album, and also, I really like fuzz pedals for electric guitars. These soundboxes can be heard a whole lot on the album, even though it’s not a very noisy or hard-rocking album. It’s actually quite at the softer end of the alt. rock spectrum. But it’s nice to get some grit in the mix, also to give contrast to the rather tender/emotional lyrical content. Some of my main inspirations sound-wise are Lana Del Rey and Arctic Monkeys, so I think the listener will be able to spot that reference if you make it through the album.
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
With Lou Z it is just me doing everything myself, and that is both good and bad. It’s very easy to make decisions and move along with no other to argue with, but it can be quite terrible not having anyone else telling you about all your bad ideas…haha! So sometimes the bad ideas stick around a little longer this way Lou Z also has some fuzzier electric guitar sounds and is generally more vibey/laidback than my previous band releases.
What about this single makes you most proud?
For the song ‘Holes for the Hearts’ I’m most proud of how the transition from verse to chorus ended up. I wanted a key-change due to the melody and where it would suit my vocal register, but it was very hard to get a smooth movement into the chorus. And it’s not the most common key-change (the music theory people out there will agree I think). So, I’m proud that it ended up working out. I’m also very happy with the big backing vocal arrangement in the chorus. I went for a gospel-like feeling and I think it turned out just as I hoped for.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Getting the songs out of my head and into the world, and to stay in motion musically. Sometimes it’s hard to move on creatively before the songs you’ve been working on are finished. Once you put them out it feels like the songs a leaving your system in a different kind of way – making space for new ideas instead.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
It used to be an actual physical need, but I’m getting more laidback about it as time goes by. I still have a strong creative drive and lust to make new music, but I found that it is not so bad caring a little less about it…making music creation less important seems to set me free in the writing and recording. Now I mostly do it to forget about the world and just dive into a sea of music, sonic exploration and inner catharsis.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Anderson .Paak is such a natural musical person and I think he would do great in the rock genre too. I love it when he’s playing drums and singing at the same time. Like Levon Helm from the Band did too. Check out the Tiny Desk version of ‘Put Me Through’…that really showcases his amazing skills in a very raw way. So yes, I’m sure that would be an inspiring and rewarding collab/experience to work with him.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I really like ‘Blame Brett’ by the Beaches at the moment. Great melodic pop rock and windows-down-and-driving-towards-the-horizon feel.
My all-time favorite changes, but I often come back to The Band. Also, I was quite obsessed with Jimi Hendrix as a young guitarist, but not so much more. If I re-visit him it’s always the Band of Gypsys (live album) with Billy Cox and Buddy Miles.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
My Instagram would probably be the one: @louzsounds
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
Thanks for having me! No more about my music, but I’ll recommend to everyone to read the book ‘Letter to D’ by French philosopher André Gorz – such a touching love story and a real one too. Just discovered it lately…enjoy!
