A beautiful addition to the indie folk catalogue, music by Lullanas resonates with soft acoustics, sweet high harmonies, and a breathtaking sense of intimacy and connection. Listening to their music will elicit a sense of freedom in you; of possibility and hope, and extending, through music, beyond whatever present environment you inhabit, into a new realm full of space, feeling, and, above all, depth. They have an ASMR-oriented sonic sensibility that helps them connect with the audience on a deeper level, ‘ASMR is all about that soothing vibe, and we love how those videos in that world make people feel less alone. We bring that same energy into our music, keeping things mellow and using sounds and words that feel calming, like we’re just hanging out with our listeners. It’s all about making it feel like a conversation, where we’re right there in the room with them,’ they explain.
The Lullas: Atisha and Nishita are a sibling twin duo making music in Philadelphia but creating waves across seas. They were raised by immigrant parents in the States so hard work and perseverance were integral values. Like at the beginning of their music career, they took whatever opportunities came their way. For the Lullas, that meant some pretty wild stuff, like playing 4-hour bar sets and even performing at an Easter egg hunt for a biker gang in a graveyard!
Their latest album was a giant wheel of collaborations with artists from places like Germany, Canada, and the UK. Their highlight was working with the Scottish singer-songwriter, Tommy Ashby. Let’s understand their music better.
pretty lies and time machines
We like to call our latest album, pretty lies and time machines, our ‘album of collaboration.’ Almost every song was co-written with some of our favourite artists during the lockdown which was so amazing when we were stuck inside, we felt the most inspired. We reached out to artists in places like Germany, Canada, and the UK, and since working virtually became the norm, we were able to expand our pool of co-writers even further.
Then, Keith Goodwin helped us bring those songs to life. For the first time, he allowed us to co-produce, and his patience and experience in music helped us learn every step of the way. He kept our crazy ideas in check but also knew exactly what I meant when I said, ‘I want this to sound like we’re in a field, running away from our past but constantly looking back, while the sun’s at golden hour and the temperature is a perfect 67 degrees Fahrenheit.’ All three of us understood the vision from the start. We experimented with instruments we wouldn’t normally use, pulled out the most soothing sounds from them, and made sure every single instrument we added had intention behind it, helping to tell the story we wanted to share.
INDIE/FOLK/POP
When we first started, our music was more on the acoustic side, but over time, we’ve become less intimidated by the idea of adding more instruments and experimenting with our sound. The music industry is always changing, and so are we. Now, we find ourselves in the indie/folk/pop realm, but we don’t box ourselves into just that category. We love exploring different sounds and pushing our limits—our music will always be a reflection of where we’re at in the moment.
CREATING MUSIC WITH TOMMY ASHBY
Tommy Ashby’s songs had been on repeat on one of our playlists at the time... a song called Poolside. Every time we listened to it, we felt at ease, and it gave our running minds a break for a minute. We loved the music and the energy he put out, so I believe it was an Instagram DM that sparked one of our favourite collaborations ever. He co-wrote, co-produced, and graced the tracks with his lovely voice. One of our favourite moments outside of the music was when we filmed us pushing carts around in a grocery store for one of our crazy video ideas... and he was such a gosh darn good sport about it! We did the videos from two different points of view—ours in Pennsylvania and his over in England. It was a bit challenging, but we love how it all came together.
HEALING MUSIC
It’s honestly easier for us to write sad tunes and then, if we feel like it’s too sad and might make people cry, we tend to add a hopeful twist. We like to take something heavy for us and find a way to make it feel lighter in the song—it helps us heal in a way. We write about anything and everything; relationships, letting go, starting anew, or maybe a movie or book that moves us. One word, one thought can lead to an entire song when we sit down together.
Words Hansika Lohani
Date 14.02.2025