The Lunar Effect Talk New Album, Musical Influences And More

British classic rock/psych outfit The Lunar Effect are proud to announce the release of their third full-length studio album, “Fortune’s Always Hiding”, available on all major streaming platforms and physical formats via Svart Records. The band spoke to us about the album, their musical influences and more: 

 

Who is in The Lunar Effect, how did you meet and what do you play?

The founding members were guitarist Jon Jefford (guitar) and brother Dan (drums). Mark Fuller joined right from the start on bass but left after a year or so. Brett Halsey, who we knew through mutual friends and had been to a handful of our gigs, said he’d fill in on bass until we found a replacement, but he became our permanent bassist pretty quickly. Josh Neuwford (vocals) we found through placing an advert for a vocalist online. And then recently Mark re-joined us, this time on second guitar.

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

My Nan knitting me a long, black wig that I could wear on Christmas Day, to go with my brand-new little drum kit. I must’ve been about 3 or 4. Always wanted to be a rockstar!

 

 When did you begin songwriting?

I began at around 12, but I don’t think I wrote anything passable as a song until I was about 15 or 16.



 

You have your new album “Fortune’s Always Hiding” out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

Like most bands today whether signed or not a main factor is cost and planning how to get the best result from your budget. We mainly just want to make sure we get our sound across and that we improve upon the last album in quality and production.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We did the main parts of the recording at the same studio as the other records, which is where we also rehearse. It sounds good and we are comfortable there. It was then sent to be mixed by Luke Clarke, who also mixed our previous record Sounds of Green & Blue.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

We’re all a bunch of piss-takers, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, so we always have a great laugh together. They’re mostly “inside jokes” that no one else would find funny, or stuff that’d likely get us cancelled. So, no.

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

Not really. We like to try new things each time to try and push ourselves, but we won’t shoehorn something in just for the sake of it. I think staples have always been vintage 76 and La2a compressors. This last album was also put through a vintage tape machine to give it a little analogue warmth. 



Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

Happiest, probably Stay with Me. Angriest, Feed the Hand or Five & Two. Most reflective, probably I Disappear.

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

Not especially. I think we have finally shaken off that subconscious feeling we all had of trying to fit into a genre or write songs that we think people would expect/like to hear. Now we write whatever we want. That makes it so much easier. 



 

Who designed the album artwork?

Nik Gernert. He’s designed the artwork for all three of our albums.

 

Does the album’s title have any significance/special meaning?

It does if you come from East London.

 

One of the tracks is ‘Nailed To The Sky’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

I had the idea of this ritual where the prophecy of a sort of ‘chosen son’ drove some cultists to take the mother before the son was born. I liked the idea that she would get her revenge and bring the whole place down on their heads. Then seeing my wife give birth and seeing what an incredible force of nature she became in that moment gave the song a grounding in the real world.

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

London. Big. Noisy. Iconic. Beautiful. Ugly.

 

How do you look after your voices?

Josh is a big fan of herbal teas. They taste as awful as they smell but he says they help.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

We’ve got a couple more shows in the UK this year – the Tap n Tumbler in Nottingham, Nov 7th and The Big Red in Camden, Nov 21st, and then we’ll retreat to our respective nests for the winter before we grab 2026 by the arse and make it our bitch. We’ve got lots of festivals both in the UK and Europe booked for next year already, plus we’ll be embarking on a mini euro tour. Keep your eyes peeled for those dates!

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

Not to have messed up. And maybe to have converted someone who hadn’t heard us before into a fan.

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not particularly. We have all changed what we use over the years. I think after a while you learn how to get a good sound from anything. Keeping it simple without tons of effects and bells and whistles helps. 



 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

The obvious answer would be Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Or something more obscure, maybe Geek Love by Katherine Dunn or Junkie by William S. Burroughs. They’d be fun.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

A wide variety of bands and artists from all genres and walks of life. Whatever makes us feel something. The usual suspects of course – The Beatles, Zeppelin, Bowie, Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Free. Then a lot of soul, Motown, some blues, metal, country, etc.

 

What makes The Lunar Effect happy and what makes you unhappy? 



Happy: Pie and Mash. Unhappy: The price of Pie and Mash.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By For The Lost PR

The Lunar Effect’s third album “Fortune’s Always Hiding” will be available everywhere now via Svart Records.