In this interview, we sit down with Luke Tangerine and Robson Darker, the dynamic duo behind the electrifying single “Magic Moment.” As they gear up for their upcoming release, we dive deep into the creative process behind their music. We explore their approach to songwriting, composing, and producing, and how their unique collaboration brings their artistic visions to life. Luke and Robson share insights into their journey as artists, offering a glimpse into the magic that fuels their sound.
Follow Luke Tangerine HERE
Follow Robson Darker HERE
Can you tell us more about your upcoming album? What themes and sounds can listeners expect to hear?
Luke Tangerine: So the album thematically is really centered around emotions: love, passion, sexiness, loneliness, and even depression. It’s a deep dive into the complexities of human feelings. Musically, it’s a blend of influences from the early ’80s and ’90s, with nods to iconic artists like Kate Bush, Kraftwerk, and even Salt-N-Pepa. You’ll hear those references woven throughout, creating a unique sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Your upcoming single “Magic Moment” is eagerly anticipated. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how does it fit into the overall theme of the album?
Luke Tangerine: I could say that each track I created with Robson was a bit of a ‘magic moment.’ Every time, he surprised me with his vocal lines, perfectly aligned with the music I composed. It was an incredible experience to see how his voice brought the tracks to life in ways I hadn’t even imagined.
Your previous single “In den Tiefen der Nacht” received a lot of attention. What was the creative process behind it, and how did it shape your current musical direction?
Luke Tangerine: One day, I just felt this strong urge to create a post-punk song with deep, thought-provoking lyrics. I wanted to blend the dark, atmospheric vibe of Depeche Mode with the powerful, industrial edge of Rammstein. So, I reached out to Robson to see if he was available to record vocals in German for the track. The result was electrifying for both of us, and it sparked something special. We were so excited by what we created that we decided to keep going and make more songs, which eventually turned into an entire album.
Can you describe your recording process for this album? How did it differ from your past projects?
Luke Tangerine: It was a really cool experience working remotely with Robson. We had that magic flow right from the start, effortlessly sharing ideas even from a distance. Typically, we began with a music draft that I created, and Robson would then work on the vocal parts. For me, it was truly surprising—and inspiring—to hear what Robson did with my music, adding those vocal melodies. It brought a whole new dimension to the tracks.
What are your primary inspirations when it comes to songwriting and composing? How do these influences manifest in your music?
Luke Tangerine: I love The Beatles because their music is rich with melodies that have always inspired me. I’m also drawn to funky music and hard rock because of their incredible grooves and energy. Jazz, with its freedom and improvisation, is another genre I deeply appreciate. All these musical influences come together in my work, inspiring me to create my ownmusic.
How do you balance innovation with maintaining your signature sound when writing new music?
Luke Tangerine: I believe I’ve developed my own unique sound, and it’s deeply embedded in my music. Honestly, it’s hard for me to pinpoint or describe it, because I simply create the music I love. There’s no grand strategy or deeper background—it’s just about making the sounds that resonate with me.
What do you aim to achieve with your lyrics and music? Is there a particular message or emotion you hope to convey to your audience?
Luke Tangerine: For me, the music always comes first, not the text. I aim to evoke emotions through the sounds, telling stories and describing feelings with the melodies and harmonies. I don’t have a ‘clear’ message in my music, but I hope that it resonates with listeners’ emotions, allowing them to imagine and reflect on their own feelings as they experience it.
Your vocal style is quite distinctive. How would you describe your approach and what influences have shaped your vocal sound?
Robson Darker: My approach, especially on the songs with Luke, was to use the vocals to sing to the music and the lyrics, to choose the emotions to match. Vocal influences hm, I certainly have role models, but I can’t tell you whether these have an effect on my own vocals. Internationally, I’ve been listening to Kylie Minogue and Sophie Elli-Bextor for a long time, and from Germany and Austria I really like acts like 2 Raumwohnung, Mia & Garish.
How did you approach your vocal performance on the upcoming single “Magic Moment”? Were there any new techniques or styles you experimented with?
Robson Darker: „Magic Moment“ is about that one moment when eyes meet, the question and uncertainty of whether we will see each other again and the daydreams associated with it. I tried to express this flirtation, this uncertainty with the singing.
In “In the Depths of the Night” your vocals are both powerful and evocative. Can you tell us what went into developing this performance?
Robson Darker: Luke wrote this song, so the composition and music are always his, the lyrics are mostly mine, but here I’ve only rewritten a few passages a bit. This song has a serious background. You feel lost, alone and want to escape everyday life. I sang the song with this suffering and longing emotion.
What are you trying to convey through your lyrics and singing? Is there a particular emotional or thematic element that you are passionate about expressing?
Robson Darker: Each of our songs from the upcoming EP „Synthedelic“ has its own story and theme. Sometimes it’s about more serious topics like in the depths and alone, then for example about flirting in „Magic Moment“ and „Toy“, „Neonlicht“ is a homage to the discos and partying and „Lights Out“ deals with the burn out of a robot, although of course that’s also included people can apply.
I want people to feel the lyrics, the music and the song and for me to underline and emphasize these emotions with the vocals.
Can you explain how working with Luke Tangerine influenced your singing style and approach?
Robson Darker: Luke asked me at the beginning of the year if I would like to work with him, and that’s how “In den Tiefen der Nacht” came about. I really enjoy working with him, I can contribute a lot.
Luke conjured up the great music and compositions and I wrote most of the lyrics and worked out the vocal melodies, we had a good flow from the start. Before a song was finished, the idea for the following track came. He gave me a lot of freedom in how I sing the songs and lay out the vocal melody, sometimes little suggestions, nothing more. Through his great compositions, I was encouraged to give it my all vocally in order to do the songs justice. The creativity and ambition were sparked even more by working with him.
What do you both want to achieve with your lyrics and music as a duo? How do you ensure your individual styles complement each other?
Robson Darker: I’ve actually answered this before, take the listeners on the journey and let them experience and feel the history of the songs.
To be honest, it doesn’t take much, because I think we complement each other very well, everyone has their own areas of responsibility in which they act and take care of and communication runs smoothly.
What are your future plans after releasing this album? Are there any projects or collaborations you are excited about?
Luke Tangerine: Currently, the top priority is promoting and completing the videos for the songs. But we will definitely continue to make songs together, we still have enough ideas and working together is a lot of fun and, for me, uncomplicated and rewarding.
We are already working on ideas for the next project!
Can fans expect any live shows or tours in the near future? How do you want to bring your new music to the stage?
Robert: Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy writing and singing songs, making videos, hosting radio shows and sometimes modeling, but to be honest you rarely find me on the live stage. It is the area that challenges me the most and I am the most nervous. I do 1-2 shows a year if at all, but if Luke plans to perform, I would be happy to be a guest and perform a few songs with him. It’s best to look at my website or Instagram, I’ll announce everything as soon as possible.
Thoughts Words Action 