Fresh off the release of their new single ‘Your Monsters’, London-based outfit Lunar & The Deception are riding a surge of momentum as they step into a pivotal chapter of their journey. Released on February 3, 2026 via X-Ray Sound and co-produced with Michael Rendall (The Orb, Peter Murphy, Killing Joke), the track sets the tone for their forthcoming album The Somnambulist, landing on March 6th. Fronted by South African-born vocalist and visual architect Britt Xyra Dusk, the band have built a formidable live reputation from supporting Pussy Riot at Glastonbury to lighting up London stages, and earning industry acclaim including Artist of the Week at Richer Sounds and a 9/10 from Powerplay Magazine. Blending indie rock, dream pop, darkwave, and neo-psychedelia, ‘Your Monsters’ showcases their cinematic intensity: haunting piano lines, gothic guitar swells, dynamic modulations, and an anthemic chorus that collapses into a stark, cathartic close. With deep roots, a striking aesthetic, and a sound compared to Portishead, Evanescence, and Esben & The Witch, Lunar & The Deception are carving out a bold, immersive space of their own – making this an ideal moment to catch up with the band.
Read our interview with the band and listen to ‘Your Monsters’ now:
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
Hedge (drummer) has been playing music since he was 12 and used to sneak into the music room at school. He had his first hit single at age 16. Britt (singer) always had a passion for music but pursued a career in fashion, always with music on the back-burner. When they met in London and heard each other’s music, they decided to collaborate on Lunar and the Deception. Britt’s 15 years of professional experience in fashion and costume design for film/TV has helped shape the band’s strong visual and artistic direction on stage and in performances.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
We usually start with a melody, a snippet of vocals, or a riff and build around that. Britt loves writing poetry and researching myths, and sometimes those ancient stories distill into a song. We often begin with a vocal melody and jam it out until it becomes something tangible.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
We use various outboard synths (Moog, Korg, MiniFreak, 303), an array of percussion (Dumbek, Darbuka, Djembe, Thavil, Sabar drums), plus various plug-ins in Ableton and Logic. We also experiment with singing stones, shakers, clavichords, singing bowls, theremin, zithers, and anything that adds something unique. Hedge plays a Ludwig Vistalite kit with Roland BT-1 Bar Trigger Pads.
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
Britt needs silence to create and tries to write daily. A lot of lyrics come from free-flow writing. Being in nature really helps focus and drown out everyday noise and chaos. Hedge is the opposite and listens to music or noise 24/7.
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
A handwritten book of lyrics and poetry.
How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
It came together naturally. We all have very varied tastes. We usually start with Britt’s vocal melody, then work guitar or synths around that, followed by bass, electronics, percussion, and strings (though this can change). After that, there’s a lot of layering — we like songs to feel like journeys, and arrangement plays a big part in that.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
The creative process is largely the same, but we had no idea how much admin is involved in being a self-published musician or artist — booking gigs, shoots, tour logistics, licensing terminology. On top of that, staying on top of social media has turned something once fun and whimsical into a snowball of admin.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
When we were first recording The Somnambulist, we hired Woodworm Studios in Oxford, a converted church with a cottage next door. Three days in, our guitarist got a call from his other band — he’s the sound engineer for Morcheeba — and had to leave for a tour. We weren’t in a financial position to refuse paid work, so he left and we finished recording the album without him. It was a real struggle at the time, and we filled in the guitar later, but it’s not how we’d usually plan to work.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
We’d love to collaborate with Robert Plant or Warren Ellis someday.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Hedge plays drums in a band called Bad Fractals (acid punk / rock ’n’ roll). Their debut LP, The Sea Sang Screaming, comes out in April via Creation Youth.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
They’ve been around for ages, but we’ve only just discovered them — Orange Blossom are incredibly talented. Glass Beams and Chinchilla are amazing too.
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
Britt is obsessed with Lee Hazelwood, and Hedge is a die-hard Mr. Bungle fan.
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
For Hedge, it’s Future Sound of London – Lifeforms. Britt always reconnects with Beach House – In Bloom.
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
Britt is working on publishing a book of her sketches and poetry. Hedge makes fine art and takes abstract photography.
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
Sacred Geometry — hidden track: ‘Disparate Points in Spacetime’.
Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
Our debut album The Somnambulist is out on March 6. We’ll be touring it live and starting to record album number two, which already has most of the songs demoed.
Famous last words?
Never surrender.
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