Here's to You Avalon Lurks

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With her first album approaching, Avalon Lurks is an artist that knows how to create her own world through song. Her track Papi Chulo embodies the feeling of driving through a warm summer’s night, and the music video takes us on a trip to Lurks’ dreamy world. Filmed in 16mm, the video draws us into the hazy neon lights of the Californian night.
Lurks' Chicana culture and her attention to the detail makes for her unique style and sound through the blending of genres. Catholic imagery and the air of mysticism in both her visuals and sound creates her atmospheric presence.

LA based photographer DREA RIBA reimagines iconic films, from A Clockwork Orange to Carrie to The Shining. For this shoot, Riba has reimagined a young Mrs. Robinson from the 1970’s classic The Graduate. Riba uses her medium as a way to recreate who is in the spotlight and modernise classic moments of Hollywood cinema.

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What was the process of writing your upcoming album like?

Speaking presently, since I'm still very much so creating the record, the process has actually changed my entire view on creating music. I think when you sit down to write something like a "full length" record, you definitely have ideas in mind for what you want it to sound/feel like. I’ve stopped focusing on whatever I may have had in mind prior to starting the album, and more on creating what feels pure and genuine in the moment.

The music video for Papi Chulo has a bold look and really takes the listener into the world of the song. What are your plans for the new album’s visuals?

Without sharing too much, I'm very conscious of the concept of duality and timelessness with this project. it's a full length so there will absolutely be a storyline to the visual elements. A lot of my musical practice is informed by the way I see sounds as textures, colours and sometimes vignettes. realizing the visuals is just as, if not, more important at times than the music.

Your music has a unique blend of genres and styles, do you have any advice for musicians on how to find their own voice in their work?

It's evolving without stealing. picking up where your influences left off, almost like you're the child of their vision creating your own life now. What do you like? Why do you like it? What's the story you're telling? Who are you telling the story to? That's your unique voice.

How does your Latina culture influence your lyrical and musical style?

My friends and I ARE the culture, it's not an influence. We're just the next wave of artists who happen to come from that upbringing, but I don’t think it's as self-referential as people would think it is. The Latino identity is super complex and individual-specific, so for me it rests in the peripheral as something which is just a part of me. it's never intentional, it just is.

You’ve previously talked about how important spirituality is in your life, how do you integrate this into your art?

Again, it's such a part of me and my way of life in that it permeates everything. Within some countries outside of the U.S. it's not ever said that someone is spiritual but rather it’s a normal part of life. I grew up a practicing bruja, so of course the deities and spirits I communicate with do offer guidance artistically. God does as well and the eternal hum of the universe can always be heard. Mostly when listening to silence.

Do you have any plans of collaborating with other artists in the near future?

Yes absolutely. I'm going to be continuing collaborations with my long-time bestie, George Lewis Jr, a.k.a. Twin Shadow, as well as genius producer and long-time friend, Napolian Evans. Some other top secret legends will be making appearances as well.

Are there any other artforms, such as film or photography, that you’d want to pursue?

I've always had a multi-disciplinary artistic practice. There are no boundaries to my expression. For me the most important thing in terms of presenting my work to the world is for there to be a polished package for others to receive. So right now, I’m working on a poetry and collected writing book, which will be a bit of a step out of music. I actually began my artistic life as a painter, and I've been working on a series in my free time that I am excited to show when the time is right.

What is it like being a musician in California right now?

Speaking for myself, it's mainly been a lot less social. Connecting with other musicians is also different now, I've met a lot of my newer collaborators off of the internet and in more bizarre ways. This current climate is giving way to a lot more studio time and less distraction, which is good but also isolating. However, I do feel like Southern California has always been a pretty isolating place, despite the millions of people and artists.

Do you have any plans for live shows in the near future? Do you have an artistic vision of how you would design the stage and create an atmosphere similar to your single covers and music videos?

I just played a livestream show for the college Sarah Lawrence which was an opportunity to do a whole production true to a pre-covid live show. It felt amazing to be on stage performing, borderline orgasmic. That show symbolized, in a way, the end of the last era of my music. moving into this album's new era, another chapter in the legacy. Most of the money I ever get paid for performing goes directly back into the live show and design, so you can bet your ass the stage will always look right!