MorleyView: Lucid Fly

antiMUSIC: Where did the name come from?

Nikki Payne: Lucid Flies into the Record Book...The name "Lucid Fly" came from this newspaper headline about America's most experienced astronaut, female pioneer Dr. Shannon Lucid. We felt we had exhausted all the names and got tired of pulling randomly out of the dictionary, so when a friend saw the headline...the name just kind of stuck!

antiMUSIC: How did the band come together?

Nikki Payne: The band originated with Nikki (vocals) and Doug (guitarist) in 1998 and after a few member changes we came across Derrick (drummer) in 2002 and Justin (bass)…we got together and worked on some ideas and at that point we knew we hit on a winning combination. We've been collaborating ever since. :

antiMUSIC: The material you play sets you apart from most of the other bands I've heard lately. Do you feel this hard rock style fills a void in the current scene?

Nikki Payne: Most importantly we play from the heart…We feel our style is unique. Each of us have such a wide range of musical influences, so when we get together to write, its always experimental at first and then we compromise until we find a groove that works best for all of us-its like the songs morph into their own entity. It has been hard to categorize our music, but we describe it as progressive hard rock. I think a lot of bands are doing the hard rock style, some more radio friendly than others, but I definitely feel like our version is refreshing and edgy, and often times unexpected - a pleasant surprise. :

antiMUSIC: Tell us about the record, Adapting to Gravity. How long has this been in the works and what were some of the tracks that came out first?

Nikki Payne: Adapting to Gravity was in the works for a while. The songs "Collide" and "Center of Your Space" were the first tracks to come out, those were produced by Adam Barber (Sevendust) and the other songs were produced by George Spatta (Skrape). We are very proud of the recording, but we often get that it doesn't capture the magic of our live performance!

antiMUSIC: Can you tell us a bit some of the tracks, either what they're about or something that happened while recording them, etc.?

Nikki Payne: No Sleep: It's about paranoia and fearing that if you close your eyes you might miss out on something.

Splinter: Every person in your life is there for a reason, but sometimes we wonder what lessons we are supposed to learn and how we got to this point in our lives.

Blind: This song is about living in denial, the recording of this song definitely involved the most production.

antiMUSIC: That's an awesome cover. Whose idea was it?

Nikki Payne: The cover was a collective effort between the band and the graphics artist. The EP name Adapting to Gravity came from the article that our band name came from, meaning that once Shannon Lucid returned to earth, she had to literally adapt to gravity…we felt that this was very fitting for our band and for our music. Also, legend has it that Newton began thinking about gravity when an apple fell on his head, so we tried to incorporate all of those elements into the CD art.

antiMUSIC: What has been the best show you've played so far?

Nikki Payne: I think we can all agree that our first show back after a little hiatus in Sept. 2005 was the best show so far…we were playing in the Zippo Hot Tour Semi Finals. We played a tight set. The crowd was out in full force and very responsive. The venue had a very intimate setting with great sound…plus the local radio station was a sponsor for the show…all the elements that make up a great show :

antiMUSIC: If you were to go out on a national tour, who would you like to be playing with?

Nikki Payne: I would love to share the stage with any of our influences: A Perfect Circle, Finger 11, Incubus, Mudvayne-there are just too many to name! But that would be such an honor~ our goal is to share our music with the world.

antiMUSIC: Tell us a bit about the other members:

Nikki Payne: Doug: Doug co-founded Lucid Fly (along with Nikki), he is endorsed by JNunis guitars (Atlanta, GA), his main guitar influences are: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Incubus, Dredg, A Perfect Circle

Justin: Justin came aboard last year. His influences are Victor Wooten, Mudvayne, Tool, Primus.

Derrick: Derrick joined Lucid Fly in 2002. His main influences are: Tool, Mudvayne, Minor Threat, Dredg

and you - Nikki: Lucid Fly is the first band I have ever been in, I grew up in a very creative environment full of musicians, painters, artists, etc. so I was destined to become an artist myself. I have never really had any formal vocal training but I have been singing my whole life. My main influences (vocally) are: Maynard James Keenan, Imogen Heap, Ann Wilson, Chris Cornell, Pat Benatar..just to name a few! 

antiMUSIC: What is on tap for the band in 2006?

Nikki Payne: Well for in the spring we are doing a tour in LA, TX, GA, TN, KY, OH; we are doing some festivals (GoGirls Invasion @ SXSW, MusicGorilla, & ChicksRockfest). Also we are making a video for our song "No Sleep". 

antiMUSIC: Anything else you would like to tell us about Lucid Fly that I didn't ask?

Nikki Payne: Our music will be featured in 2 upcoming films, one called "Dropping In… El Salvador" which is a surf documentary, and the other is for a snowmobile DVD called "First Ascent" for 509 Films, both are to be released in Summer 2006! Lucid Fly's music will also be featured on the Sonic Cathedral "Sirens" Compilation. Also, our music will be featured on the indie911.com compilation called "Smash Hits You've Never Heard". Keep your eyes and ears peeled and spread the word!!! ;)

antiMUSIC and Morley Seaver thank Nikki Payne and Lucid Fly for doing this interview.

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Read Morley's review of Adapting to Gravity
 

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