Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luke Donald. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Luke, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

It started at a pretty young age. My dad was a musician, and I think that may have rubbed off on me a bit. We always had music on, and I used to love riding around with him, listening to him sing Elvis and Waylon tunes. That inspired me to want to sing and pick up an instrument. Once I got my first guitar, I never really stopped from there. I was sort of an awkward, shy kid that had a hard time expressing myself to others and fitting in, but when I found music, it gave me my voice and saved me in so many ways. When I started writing songs and playing in bands, I felt like I had a purpose. The feeling I get when I tap into whatever that place is that inspires songs and creativity fills me with so much joy, wonder, and excitement that I’ve never stopped chasing that next song.

Luke, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a school counselor, and I sing, play guitar, write, produce, and create content for Cursor, which is a hard alternative rock band that began around 2017 or so and it really grew from me just wanting to get together with some friends to bring some songs to life that I was writing. I was sort of in between projects and wanted to start something new, so I was fortunate enough to link up with some great people that helped get the project going initially. Since that time, Cursor has really continued to evolve and become what it is today, but every step was so important along the way, and I truly appreciate everyone that has helped or been a part of Cursor’s journey.

The goal has always been to write powerful, heavy, beautiful tunes and that’s really what we strive for in our music. I also feel that sets us a part because I’m not really chasing to sound like someone or something, but rather whatever sounds good and serves the song. Sure, you can hear our influences, but I feel how we incorporate those different elements is really unique to what we do as a band. This at times can make it difficult to fit into certain scenes or play on certain shows because we don’t quite fit into this or that sort of sound, which is a double edged sword, but I wouldn’t have it in any other way. At the end of it all, I just want to be true to myself and love the music I create, and if other people dig it awesome, if not, that’s cool too.

Some highlights for us so far in our journey is that we won a Wammy for best Hard Rock Album of the year for Pharos, played Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021, released two EPs, Seeking Connection and Pharos, a single Reaper and are currently recording our first full length record called Apparitions with Will Beasley (The Dangerous Summer, Asking Alexandria, Turnstile). We’ve been featured on Rebel Noise and released four music videos and have shared the stage with so many great bands including Thornhill, Moodring, and Spotlights. We’ve also had the privilege to meet and work with some really great people along the way. I think I can speak for all of us, and say we are truly grateful for all these accomplishments and proud of the work that went into making all this happen for us independently.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is you can really tap into something bigger than yourself. It’s hard to explain sometimes, but I know other creatives know what I’m talking about. It’s like you lose yourself in your work and it’s such a rush when you hear or see that thing in your head come to life and grow into this new work of art. I would also have to say, I really love the collaborative process and connection you feel when you create and/or perform music. It such a euphoric moment when it all comes together and is truly a time I can be fully in the moment.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I feel that many people think that if you’re in a band your goal or mission is to “make it,” but really, I think the goal for me is just to do something I love and feel inspired. It would be cool to sustain my lifestyle with my art but that’s not what drives me as a creative. I feel that creatives give color to the world and can bring people together, especially with music. Sometimes it’s to sing and dance or forget about everything else for a little while or to process some heavy emotions, whatever it is, music helps us celebrate and make sense of our lives. In my opinion, music is one of the most genuine expressions of being human and connecting with others, and I think that is a big part of what drives me most in my creative journey. I just want to make music I love and bring people together. Life is hard, and if I can help make things a bit better for me or anyone else in anyway with my music, that’s all I can ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cursorofficial.com
• Instagram: cursor_va
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CursorBand
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cursor_va
• Other: https://linktr.ee/cursorva

Image Credits
Youforia Photography Havok Rising Media Brock Hudson