We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David D’luna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

David, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

This question is difficult to answer, as all my projects are the most meaningful. When I am writing a song, that is what I am feeling. That’s where my mind and heart are. And in recording it, that feeling comes to life. My favorite project is always going to be my next one. The experience of going through the creative process and putting together the puzzle pieces to create a sonic portrait is the exciting part.

My last album, “Midnights,” was very special to me. It was the product of many years of wanting to experiment and test new sounds and genres and discovering how to authentically express myself through my sound, look, style, lyrics, and storytelling.

On that album, I had all the creative control to try new things, such as “Club Metal” with songs like “Vip” or Electronic with “Chasing Amy.” A The Neighbourhood style track in “Laguna Sunset,” My Punk/Metal ode to Ride-or-die goth girls, “Eris,” and even a Halloween Surf Rock/Ska/Punk/Metal Summerween beach basher called “Ghoulface”. 
To have the freedom to tell whatever story I wanted to tell and turn my emotions, no matter how dark, devious, romantic, lustful, and (no pun intended) melancholy, into a living piece of art, was very cathartic.

I also really enjoyed trying things like adding extra/alternative tracks (Slowed and reverbed, sped up, acoustic, live versions) to the album from the jump. It was fun and felt very authentic as an independent artist to give variety to my listeners and show that the songs can be alive in various forms.

David, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an independent artist based in Los Angeles. I have been playing music since high school. I only recently began performing solo under the Melancholy banner, in which I play a variety of styles and genres while maintaining my rock and metal roots at the core of it all. No matter what genre I am writing in, the same dark, atmospheric, and ethereal heart will be there. 
So far, on my own, I have built a following of very supportive listeners who motivate me to keep making music. My sound resembles Deftones, Black Light Burns, Type O Negative, Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails, and Marilyn Manson. I take inspiration from so many incredible rock and metal artists I grew up listening to and try to fuse it with other styles I like very much, like that of PASTEL GHOST, The Neighbourhood, Lana Del Rey, My Bloody Valentine, Cigarettes After Sex, and so much more. 
Music is an ever-expanding art form in which nothing is truly original but can be reinterpreted and told through an artist’s unique lens. 
My look tends to catch attention as I try to express myself with face paint (like my wrestling hero Jeff Hardy) and various wardrobe styles. I also always wear big Xs on my hands to symbolize that I am straight-edge. All of it may seem like a costume at times, but to me, it is very authentic because, being someone who is very shy and reserved, the painting is a symbol that the person under the paint isn’t what’s important. The music and art are. I can hide behind that. Protect myself and let the work take over. 

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to bring something I hear or see in my head to life. Nothing beats that excitement of seeing something in your subconscious become real.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

There are always people out there who like the same things you do. Whether that be music, art, films, television shows, characters, hobbies, etc. It is about finding those same people as you and sharing with them. I found that by doing that, my online presence doesn’t become an act, as I am sharing what I enjoy with other like-minded individuals who might connect and relate. Of course, it can get more technical, but at the end of the day, that is the core of it. That is what makes it authentic and creates a real connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melancholy216.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melancholy_216/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidDeLaLuna216
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@melancholy216?si=mgCPgiwDf5cNAUBC
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-628136023
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ky7XXh6g4n1U2XIWHBjBo?si=csugh8R6Rqe8ae1yijKC1g

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/melancholy/1521160120

  Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0C6RC1B3L/melancholy?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_FPCUZaXKHVRkFQIkZNPWTToxZ

  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melancholy_216

  Bandsintown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15541894?came_from=206

Image Credits

Photos taken by Anthony “Stretch” Delgado