Stars in Coma On the Making Of “Aluminum”
What inspired you to write the lyrics/music for "Aluminum?"
I was experimenting with Beat Map in Reason Studios, which is a creative tool for creating beats. I also had this moody, piano-like chord progression and decided to layer it with those cool drum machine rhythms. The combination just clicked. Lyrically, I wanted to shift away from the bitter, depressive vibe of my earlier work from 2020 and 2021. "Aluminum" is still cryptic and surreal, but with a bit more of a hopeful twist.
Was there any challenge that you encountered while making the track?
Absolutely. The track has all these micro-melodies and fleeting sounds, which made the mixing process a bit cumbersome. Plus, I had a string plugin go rogue on me—it suddenly blasted super loud, and I couldn’t control the volume. It was like the song was cursed or something! But I eventually managed to fix it.
How does "Aluminum" fit into your overall artistic vision, and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
In a way, "Aluminum" is quintessential Stars in Coma, with its melodic intro and verse-chorus structure. It's the lead single from my upcoming album, We Were Already Islands (out Sept. 13), but it's not entirely reflective of the album's overall sound, which leans more organic. This track is probably the most electro-pop on the record.
How did your musical journey begin, and what were some of the initial challenges you faced?
Music has always been a deep emotional outlet for me, even from a young age. I started releasing music as Stars in Coma in 2005 and haven’t stopped since. Back then, I was pumping out music non-stop, but I've slowed down as I’ve gotten older, and I’m fine with that. I’ve never felt like I fit into the music industry’s mold. I guess my shadow self has always tried to sabotage any career opportunity, haha. At the same time, I really wanted to be accepted when I first started releasing music, but I honestly I didn't have the true drive to chase that dream. Now, I just focus on making interesting music and appreciate anyone who listens.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
Inspiration can come from everywhere—personal issues, societal events, even unexpected sources like quotes from self-help gurus, political Substack articles, or YouTube history clips. Creativity has no limits.