Today at SoundVille, it’s a true punk rebellion—well, to be precise, it’s Luna Motif, who were once known only in the tight circles of the Irish underground rock scene, stepping onto the world stage with their debut EP Tender Weapons. This album, now available on all platforms, is a real gift for those looking for something fresh. The lead track “Honey Dawn” is the quintessence of cinematic punk: powerful guitar riffs by Gerard McBride, Danny Kettle’s punchy drums, Ross Byrne’s piercing bass, and Christos Salaforis’ vocals that hit you right in the feels. The phrase “it is time mother nature blesses you” sounds like a call to find strength in chaos. We had a chat with the guys and found out much more than you can imagine.

So, let’s get into it—what’s the story behind ‘Tender Weapons’? How did you guys cook this up?

“Tender Weapons” was born out of a desire to create music that blends raw emotion and introspection with thought-provoking messages, flirting with the potential for rebellion and revolution—both within and beyond. We wanted to craft something that wasn’t just powerful sonically, but also meaningful lyrically, steering away from the same old recycled ‘sex, drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll’ narrative and the traditional punk rhetoric of anger for anger’s sake. Instead, we aimed to explore personal and interpersonal salvation through going inward, doing the work, and then sharing meaningful guidance or raw emotion.

The EP’s title, “Tender Weapons,” aptly captures this duality: it combines the tender, loving guidance of inner wisdom with an outcry against the wrongs in the world, from the horrors of war to the weapon of censorship. The idea is that music can be both tender and powerful—a weapon in its own right, but one that heals rather than harms. Each track represents a different facet of our experiences and beliefs, and the entire project is a reflection of our journey as a band. We brought this vision to life through countless jam sessions, late-night discussions, and a shared commitment to making music that resonates deeply with listeners.

‘Honey Dawn’—that track is a beast. What sparked this song, and why lead with it?

“Honey Dawn” came from a place of reflection and hope. It’s about finding solace in nature and recognizing the beauty in the world, even amidst chaos. The song is a reminder that no matter how dark things get, there’s always a dawn, a new beginning. We chose it as the lead track because it perfectly encapsulates the duality we explore in our music—the struggle and the healing, the darkness and the light. It’s a track that not only sets the tone for the EP but also for what Luna Motif stands for as a band.

You guys have a powerful message against societal norms. You’re making noise; you’re screaming against the grain. What’s driving you to challenge the system through your music?

We believe that music has the power to challenge, to provoke thought, and to inspire change. The world is full of systems and norms that often go unquestioned, and as artists, it’s our job to shine a light on those areas. What drives us is a deep-seated desire to see a world where people are free to be themselves, where nature is respected, and where power is not abused. We’re not just rebelling for the sake of rebellion—we’re pushing back against a system that often suppresses individuality, creativity, and today, free speech. Our music is our way of speaking out, of saying that there’s a better way, and of encouraging others to think critically and act boldly.

Gerard, those guitar parts are wicked. How do you pull those emotions right out of the strings?

Gerry: I’ve always favored what sounds nice over what sounds impressive. A major pitfall for many guitarists is that they try to write killer guitar pieces with no context, which is great, but it’s not the same as songwriting. I try to hyper-focus on what’s being played on the bass and drums, and play a melody that fits but is different, like a counter-melody. When it comes to writing guitar solos, I think what separates a great solo from a good one is knowing what chords are being played and having a clear structure—a beginning, middle, and end. This has always been my basic template, and I tend to build parts around this philosophy.

Ross, I’m all about that bass—it’s my favorite instrument, and the fatter it sounds, the better. Your bass lines have a distinct vibe that really sets the tone. How do you approach creating bass grooves that complement both the punk and bluesy elements of your tracks?

Ross: I’ve always been really into melody. When it comes to my playing and how I put together basslines, I always want to strike a balance between melody and the direct, powerful basslines you hear in punk rock. We’ve never tried to be a blues band, but that element found its way into our music naturally. Since I’m not deeply rooted in the blues, I tend to avoid the standard, run-of-the-mill blues bassline and instead interpret it in my own way. I think that’s important because we don’t want to write something that’s straight-up trying to be blues—we want something that sounds unique and authentic to us as a band.

Danny, in my experience, drummers often don’t care much about what they play; they just want to keep the beat. Is that true for you, or is there more to it? Also, can you play guitar? If you can, my theory that all drummers are secretly guitarists is confirmed, and I might just apply for a Nobel Prize with that!

Danny: Personally, I do put a lot of thought into the beat I’m playing—sometimes I even overthink it! I try to keep it simple, groovy, and repetitive so people can easily dance to it. My main goal is to get people to move when we play live. We cover various genres as a band, so it’s very fun as a drummer to explore different grooves, whether it’s funky, groovy, or a hard, heavy classic rock beat. And yes, I do play guitar, though I’m nowhere near Gerry’s level. So, it looks like your theory might hold some weight!

Christos, your lyrics hit right in the feels. How do you go about bleeding your personal tales into the mic?

Christos: My lyrics are deeply personal, not only reflecting my own frustrations with the world but also stemming from years of inward journeying and connecting with the wisdom of nature, particularly the trees. I write from a place of honesty and vulnerability, channeling real experiences and emotions into the words because that’s what truly resonates with people. My goal is to highlight the trends in society that don’t serve humanity, while also shedding light on the positive aspects of this gift we call life. Whether it’s joy, pain, anger, or hope, I strive to weave these emotions into my lyrics, offering both enlightenment on the challenges we face and a reminder of the beauty that still exists. Songwriting, for me, is a cathartic process—a way to turn my feelings into something others can connect with. I want listeners to experience the same highs and lows, to gain awareness of what’s wrong, and to find comfort and inspiration in what’s right.

You’ve got a mix of Sabbath and Joy Division in your ears. How do you mesh all these influences but keep your own edge?

We’re all big fans of these bands, but we’ve never wanted to just replicate what they’ve done. Instead, we take the elements we love—Sabbath’s heavy riffs, Joy Division’s atmospheric depth—and blend them with our own experiences and perspectives. It’s about respecting the influence while also pushing the boundaries and creating something that’s distinctly Luna Motif. We mix the raw energy of punk with the introspection of blues and the heaviness of rock, resulting in a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. It’s important to us to maintain our own edge and not just follow a formula, which is why we experiment and evolve with each track we create.

The track ‘Primal Forces’ really taps into the wild. How does Mother Nature play into your songwriting and sound?

Mother Nature is a huge influence on our music, both in terms of theme and sound. “Primal Forces” is all about reconnecting with the wild, untamed aspects of nature—and ourselves. We believe there’s a lot to be learned from the natural world, especially in a society that often feels disconnected from it. In our songwriting, we try to capture the raw power, beauty, and unpredictability of nature. Whether it’s the rhythms of a storm or the tranquility of a forest, these natural elements find their way into our music, reminding us—and our listeners—of the importance of staying grounded and in tune with the earth.

What’s on the horizon for Luna Motif? Any sneak peeks on tours, new drops, or gigs that we should be buzzing about?

We’re really excited about what’s coming next for Luna Motif. We’ve got a few new tracks and an EP in the works that we can’t wait to share, and we’re planning to hit the road for a tour around Ireland soon toward the end of 2024 and into 2025. We’re also exploring some international opportunities, so keep an eye out for announcements on that front. In terms of gigs, we’ve got a show coming up at Fibber Magees in Dublin on September 14th, which is going to be a blast, and a few more shows soon to be announced imminently which you can catch on our Instagram. With plenty of music written and ready to be released, we’re just getting started, and there’s a lot more to come. Stay tuned, and better yet, come say hello on Instagram or Facebook – we don’t bite and love a good chat.

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