Q&A: Helladusty on New Musical Projects & Reconceptualizing His Sound
☆ By Holly Alvarado ☆
ENTHRALLING BY ALL ACCOUNTS — Livan Becerra is the spearhead of the musical lo-fi bedroom project Helladusty. He entices the world with his melodic intimacy, alluring grooves, and the ever-so-familiar notion of love lost in a digital generation. Established by the yearning to create scores for animation and television, Becerra soon realized that the real goal was something entirely different: it was the ability to assemble a world of melancholic soulfulness under the gaze of bedroom-pop.
Soon after, the Sacramento, California-bred artist ascended into a creative grind of relaxation and ethereal bliss that comes through in tracks like “Delete You” and “Don’t Consider This A Love Song.” However, his journey was not always presumed to be an easy stride; most of his discography revolves around the encounters of heartbreak and the comradery of living through a dragging, everyday life we young adults undergo. But that’s what makes Helladusty so versatile and accessible: it’s the power to glue the common denominator of living through your “20-somethings” while delivering a sound that allows listeners to feel as if a cool breeze on a sunny L.A. day has whipped you in the face. In other words, it’s exactly what you need.
As Helladusty ramps up for new music, he brings to the table a new song, “angel eyes,” that was recently released in December. The track experiments more widely with texture and melody as the overall song takes you on a ride filled with hi-fi pop tones — something you might hear in an ’80s coming-of-age John Hughes film (being a Hughes fan, I’m not fighting it). With more releases on the way, Helladusty looks forward not only to new music but the chance to grow as a lyricist, writer, and human being who is managing their way through this crazy thing we call life.
Read below to hear how Helladusty recognized the simple pleasures in writing during quarantine, finding his personal balance with humor and social media, and the inspirations that play into his creative craft.
LUNA: To start out, I would love to touch on the beginning of this project with you — how was your sound birthed and where did it emerge from?
BECERRA: My initial goal with music was to create scores for animation, TV, etc. I would make a bunch of instrumentals and just post them on SoundCloud (it’s all privately listed now). It wasn’t until I heard Mild High Club’s “Skiptracing'' where I realized that I wanted to create my own music project and add vocals to my productions. It took a couple years to be comfortable with my voice, and eventually it would lead me to finding my own sound. As far as inspiration goes, I draw it from anywhere from jazz, ’90s pop, and R&B to the Spanish oldies my mom would always play around the house when I was a kid. My mother always had an ear for good music and I didn't realize until I grew older.
LUNA: Your newest track “angel eyes” was released last month and it’s a little different from the past projects you’ve put out. Can you talk about the release and how you went about this new soundscape, especially in creating a more hi-fi pop tune?
BECERRA: That song was a complete accident and I’m very proud of how it turned out. My friend Luustra came over one day and we just started jamming at first. I started with the electronic drums and it was initially gonna be a house dance track. After I added the chords it gave it a melancholy feel that we both couldn't resist singing to. The mixing and mastering process was handled by Luustra. He's more experienced with that which allowed the song to be a little more lively and give it that crisp high definition sound. I’ve also been experimenting with autotune recently, so I decided this song would be perfect for it. [You] might expect more of that on this new project I’m currently working on.
LUNA: I know you mentioned on Instagram that you’ve had more time to sit with yourself at home when it comes to writing. During this past year, has that allowed you to give a more intimate touch to your music?
BECERRA: Yes; usually I create the songs with chords first then lyrics after — either that or I just have a loop of an instrumental. Once this pandemic hit, I had no inspiration to sit down and make music, so I decided to start writing how I felt in a notebook with no intent on making anything out of it. I found myself coming back to that notebook when I started making music again and it really gave my songwriting a more intimate feel.
LUNA: What’s one lesson or new technique you’ve been able to pick up — in terms of creating — from all the craziness this past year?
BECERRA: I was lucky enough to pick up a couple synths throughout all this craziness. I always find myself hunting down old hardware synths or drum machines either on Craigslist or online bids. I find the cheapest ones with the best condition and I wait until I have enough funds to finally buy them. I love the whole process because at the end I’m rewarded with something most people don't have, and I’m always stoked to see what I'll end up creating with them. I also upgraded my DAW from GarageBand to Logic X Pro — it’s made a difference in my production and I’m more motivated to create.
LUNA: You have such a unique knack for creating dreamy synth melodies while playing with lyricism that is both intimate and relatable at the same time. Is this practice still transcending with any new music releases this coming year?
BECERRA: Yes, with my upcoming releases I’m trying to switch it up by adding elements of genres that I have not yet explored while still maintaining the same songwriting and melodic style that I’ve been known for. My lyrics are mostly about previous experiences in my past love life, and I don't intend for it to be so personal at times. I’ve realized our generation as a whole can relate — this is due to the digital age of romance that we’re all living in; everything happens fast and ends fast. It gives us time to move on quickly or just think back and say to ourselves, “Wow, that was fucked.”
LUNA: What’s the story behind your other 2020 release, “Boy Toy (Demo)”? How was the recording process during the pandemic and how did it factor into your last EP release, TOY?
BECERRA: “Boy Toy” was actually recorded in July 2019 — it was a demo that never made it to TOY, which [was] released around the same time. That EP took me about two months to create and finish. I look back on that process and [remember] how focused I was at the time; I was in a weird place mentally. While working two demanding jobs, dealing with heartbreak and all the bullshit in between, I felt like life was playing with me — that's when I made the comparison that I’m just a toy to everyone. I entertain and do the best I can to please and get nothing in return. It felt so comical to the point that it became the theme of the whole project.
LUNA: Your humor on social media is — in simpler terms — impeccable; I’ve truly been enjoying your posts recently. Does this also intertwine within the creative process for your music?
BECERRA: (laughs) Thanks — I try not taking Instagram so seriously. The fact that we have this tool in our hands that allows us to display our talents and humor at the tip of our fingers still blows my mind. It plays a huge role in the music releasing process and the promotion itself; it’s also where my stage name came about. I've had the same username since 2013 and would’ve never thought of using it for my music. Once I released my debut project, I couldn't think of anything else and it just stuck with me. In the end I don’t mind — I want people to focus on the music, not the name.
LUNA: I feel like I’m always coming across musicians who also take part in another art form, so I feel that in a certain way, art connects us to more art. I know you’re also a skateboarder — does that correlate to the way you create or visualize music?
BECERRA: Yeah, I grew up skating and have been around it for so long that it's become a part of me I can't escape. Most of my friends skate, and I find it interesting how a sport like that is able to combine music, fashion, and videography all [into] one. Growing up watching skate videos always introduced me to new and different genres that you wouldn't find in mainstream media. It would eventually lead me to finding music that inspires me still to this day.
LUNA: If you had to choose your dream lineup for a show (post-COVID of course), who would you play with and why?
BECERRA: Sheesh, there's so many artists I can think of. I wanna keep it real and show some love to my music homies. A sick line up would be me, Eli Josef, Mediocre Cafe, and William Corduroy. We’d probably end up opening for someone like Jerry Paper or something (laughs) It would be nice to just have a show with friends and let loose with the people that are coming up with you and [who] inspire you.
LUNA: Lastly, what do you hope 2021 has in store for you?
BECERRA: I’m hoping to release this new upcoming project by spring. With this new project I want to expand my sound by introducing genres that have inspired me lately. Hopefully some shows in the future, but you never know with all the chaos that keeps happening. I’m staying positive through it all, but my end goal is to just make as much music as I can without forcing anything. I’m really passionate about my creations and I want people to hear it in my work — so I hope they understand that it will take some time to make quality content. At the end of the day, I'm grateful I have an audience and a support system that keeps me motivated.
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