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What are your influences?
My favourite artists are probably Ben Folds, The Rocket Summer, Paramore, Kirk Franklin, Katy Perry, The Fray, Foy Vance, Weezer, Sara Bareilles... the list goes on.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I've played piano since I was four and I always kind of fancied writing music, but I couldn't work out how to make rock music with a piano. That all changed when I heard Something Corporate and Ben Folds when I was 16, and I haven't looked back!
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I used to work at Wimpy in a service station. It wasn't all that fun.
What was the last record you bought?
I haven't bought a record for ages because I'm too poor at the moment and people aren't really releasing good records, but I did a CD swap with a band I played with last week called The Candle Thieves. Their album is called 'Sunshine and Other Misfortunes' and it is brilliant. Really happy, twee, sunny pop music.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Right now, at this second, whilst typing, I'm listening to Jenny Owen Young's latest album, 'Transmitter Failure'. Amusingly, I am also wearing a Jenny Owen Young t-shirt. Jenny does lovely acoustic pop folky stuff.
Why do you prefer magnums to cornettos?
I prefer Magnums to Cornettos because they're nicer. Cornettos have the cone and that's rubbish. Magnum is pure ice cream and chocolate. How did you know I preferred Magnums anyway?!
You told us at the gig. Actually, forget that. I’m psychic. When have you been most star-struck?
I met Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory last week and that was pretty scary. NFG are one of my favourite bands ever and he's dating Hayley Williams who is one of my favourite singers ever. Scary stuff.
What’s the most money you’ve spent on an instrument?
My violin cost my parents about £1,500 I think. I didn't pay for that, though. It's a lovely violin.
I’m trying to settle an argument in my flat. Which is the best power ranger?
I don't like Power Rangers. I was never allowed to watch it because of the violence involved.
Ah. They’ll just have to fight it out then. What’s the best present you’ve ever been given?
The best present I've ever received? That's tough. My parents have bought me loads of cool stuff over the years. My keyboard is a pretty good gift. I'm not sure that I have a more interesting answer than that. Actually, that's a lie. I played a house gig in Germany last year and the father of the host gave me a brand new Nord thing with loads of awesome organ sounds. They cost A LOT of money and he gave it me for free because he liked me. That was pretty awesome.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to / performed at?
I don't know, I've been to a lot of cool gigs! I've seen Ben Folds and The Rocket Summer a couple of times and they're always great gigs. As for my own gigs, the first shows I played out in Russia and Germany back in 2008 were incredible. It was so nice to be playing outside of England!
Luke’s latest album, Have You Got Heart? is available to download for free from hiswebsite.
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