Scum has a new name. It’s Lucha Lonely. A miserable fuck. A selfish entitled asshole who indulges in pleasures of the flesh and the mind, who has given up his own happiness for meaningless affairs and a lavish drug culture lifestyle. He’s the life of the party and the terror of the household.
For the third time Lucha Lonely unites with producer Your Good Friend Norman from The Arkeologists, who provides the soulful sad-sack soundscape, and DJ Shamann, who adds atmosphere and precise scratches. The result is The Bobby Lonely Story, a non-serialized anthology of Lucha’s life and experiences from a personal level. This is not a cautionary tale or an uplifting tale. Rather, it’s an honest look at a man who is not a total piece of garbage, but garbage nonetheless. It’s one man’s struggle to loosen the grip his penis has on his mind, and free himself from the pursuits of pleasure.
Available for free download or on old school cassette tape. Not only are the cassettes perfect for those old Sony walkmans you’ve had sitting in the basement, they also have awesome double-sided flip covers for twice the viewing pleasure!
Who is Lucha Lonely? Where are you from?
I’m from a world of broken dreams, broken promises and broken noses. I’m from a place where lies are the daily truth, and truth is hidden and shunned.
What style of music do you create? What attracted you to this genre or style?
I make old man rap. My style used to be fresh and new, I’ve been at it so long it’s become new again.
Soul crushing samples and dirty drums.
Who or what influences your rapping?
My experience and knowledge. Musically I’m influenced mostly by folk music, reggae, Irish ballads, punk, country and anything by Conway the Machine
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
20 years. Damn. It’s really been that long?
What motivates you to keep going?
I need to keep going. It’s more of a requirement. The motivation is my own mental health. If I don’t let this off my chest it festers inside and eats at me.
Why should people listen to Lucha Lonely?
It’s mood music. It’s good music and it will make you feel something. It’s not party music. It’s the shame you feel after the party music.
What is your new release? How is it different from the previous ones?
The Bobby Lonely Story.
It’s more current. The themes are the same but the situations are different. Also it’s less depressing.
Did you set out to accomplish anything specific with this album?
I set out to share my thoughts with the world and find some kindred spirits who will understand it. I wrote it for them.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? And to discover more of your music?
Facebook: @Bobby Balkan. That’s really the only place. I answer all messages.
Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I prefer YouTube cuz I can’t figure out the other ones.
What about vinyl, CDs, and MP3s?
Not really too particular. MP3 I guess, since I’m always on the road. It’s hard to stabilize a gramophone in a car.
As an indie musician in the digital age, how does the technology help and how does it hinder your art and career?
It’s helpful to connect with fans across the planet. It sucks because you have to constantly make content in order to get noticed. This makes people water down their art for the sake of making more content instead of focusing on one thing.
What are your other biggest challenges in attracting an audience to your music?
My own apathy. That and my music is geared for people who have experienced life. It’s not for the youth unless the youth is disturbed
What was the last song you listened to?
“Man Don’t Care” by Jme and Giggs.
Do you tour or play live? Where can music lovers find out where to see you perform?
Performances will be on the Hand’Solo website.
What’s next for you?
Something good I hope
Any last thoughts, shout outs, or words of wisdom?
Appreciate the trivial. That’s where happiness is hiding. The little things.
