Interview: Loop Story Dives Deep into Community Through Music, Achieving Goals Through Dogged Determination, and the Evolution of Live Performance Electronic Music

Interviews

Nov 15

I’ve had the extreme pleasure of working with Luke Story in many ways over the years, and it has been such an honor to get to know him better as an artist and as a friend. His Loop Story project has evolved so much since 2020 with two curated headlines and tons of sit ins with notable artists - and its growth is entirely due to Luke’s hard work and relentless determination. It’s inspiring to watch someone put their entire heart and soul into what t hey love and to set goals and make them reality. I was thrilled to get to sit down and learn a bit more about Luke leading up to his performance this evening to compete at the Backroads Tour to win a spot at Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain next year. There’s lots of excitement to come, so make sure you follow Loop Story on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Don’t forget to snag those tickets for tonight and help Luke go to the big show next year! Without further ado, enjoy this interview with Luke Story:

Tell us the origin story of Loop Story

Loop Story originated during the Covid pandemic when Float Like A Buffalo’s national tour was canceled. While confined at home, I ventured into live stream piano shows with Quarantine Keys. Realizing it wasn't the right fit, a turning point came on my 30th birthday when my now-fiancée organized a fundraiser among friends and family. Their generosity helped me acquire the initial looping gear, turning a musical curiosity into reality. Two months of dedicated practice later, I mastered the skills to start performing live, and the rest is history.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you or seen you live?

I've often been labeled as "not quite a DJ." My performances involve live instrumentation of popular songs across genres and time frames, incorporating vocals, percussion, keyboards, saxophone, and more. The aim is to offer a unique musical experience, reinterpreting familiar tunes in an unprecedented way. My style blends electronic production with live instrumentation, resulting in a genre I've coined "Loop-tronica."

How has the project evolved over the last few years?

I've upgraded my gear, transitioning to Ableton software, and expanded my instrumentation with additional software and synthesizers. The project has embraced collaboration, working with DJs and producers to evolve from an acoustic sound to a more expansive and bass-heavy DJ performance sound.

What inspires you to do what you do?

In 2018, I looked in the mirror and declared my commitment to becoming a professional musician, no matter what it took. There's a hint of stubbornness, a determination to keep going since I've come this far. The dopamine release from playing to a crowd adds to the motivation, along with the sheer joy of getting lost in performance, practice, and the art of making music. Additionally, the friends and family I've connected with along the way have played a significant role in shaping me as a musician.

What have you accomplished in the last year as Loop Story that you’re most proud of?

In the past year, I take pride in the fact that I’ve curated and headlined two successful shows at Your Mom's House and Lost Lake in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, I've actively expanded my network, collaborating with incredible musicians like Moontricks, Siren & Seer (SaQi & Diamonde), Lazy Syrup Orchestra, The Main Squeeze, Kevin Donohue of Sunsquabi, and various other nationally and locally touring artists.

Tell me about your upcoming performance at the Backroads Tour.

Tonight, November 15, I'm pitting Loop Story against some of Denver's up-and-coming DJs in a battle of the bands competition. The victorious act secures a paid slot at the Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain music festival in Ozark, Arkansas, next year.

What would playing at Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain mean to you?

At the end of the day, winning would validate the project at a national level. I've found success in the Denver metro area through extensive networking and full-time gigging within the local music community. Securing a slot at Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain could truly solidify that this project is more than just a bar show or background music.

Let your imagination run wild - if you could perform as Loop Story in any venue with any other artists, what would that dream show look like?

That really changes depending on my mood that day. Some of my favorite artists that I would love to share a bill with include projects like SunSquabi, Jason Leech, Cofresi, Balkan Bump, Maddy O’Neal, and Haywire. Any artist incorporating live performance music along with electronics catches my interest. Having these aspirations keeps me evaluating how I can develop my project to occupy more sound space and better fit within that genre of music.

How does living in Colorado influence your music?

It doesn’t exactly influence the way my music is written. However, living in Colorado provides me the opportunity to play in various projects with different styles multiple nights a week. It keeps me fresh, engaged, and actively performing.

What’s your favorite thing about the Colorado Music Scene?

There is a very close-knit community of musicians. If you know, say, five people, you've practically covered the entire Denver music scene. There are plenty of opportunities to work and collaborate within the city.

When people leave your shows, how do you want them to feel?

I want people to be fascinated by the deconstruction and reassembling of music, excited about live instrumental performance, and feel that my performance is genuine. I truly hope they had a good time.

Who are your musical role models? Why do you look up to them?

There are too many to list, but it's any musician who is out there doing the work—putting themselves in front of sold-out crowds and empty venues each night in the pursuit of making art. Some of the biggest ones that have motivated me to work harder are people like Kevin Donohue of SunSquabi, Nicholas Gerlach, Shawn Eckels—musicians who put in the work, found success, and continue to keep grinding.

If you could give a piece of advice to musicians just starting out, what would it be?

Setting goals creates an opportunity for failure. My mindset that has helped me has been, “It would be cool if…” it would be cool if I got to sit in with this artist, but no worries if not. It would be cool if I sold out the show, but I’m happy that there’s people here. That way you’re expectation is not some predetermined value for success and you get to enjoy the process. It all a job and it’s all work, but it would be cool if you found some success along the way.

What’s your favorite show that you’ve ever played? Why was it so special to you?

That would have to be my first curated headliner in November 2022. So much work had gone into developing that show and developing my project to be able to stand on a stage by myself as the lead was a major accomplishment. I had all my friends family and loved ones at that show. And it was also at that show that I decided to propose to my girlfriend, Alyssa Montaño of Rocky Montaño Photography.

What’s your favorite song to play?

It's a bit like picking a favorite child; each song has its perks. "Zombie" really gets the crowd going, and it connects with the audience in a beautiful way. "Believer" is a collaboration with my buddy Sam Goodman, and it's my most produced track. "No Diggity" is just a blast with the loop station, showing off all its tricks. "Walking in Memphis" is a personal favorite to play on the piano, and folks seem to dig my remix of it.

Who are some of your favorite local Colorado musicians and bands?

Some of my favorite Colorado bands have got to be groups like Evanoff, Eminence Ensemble, RADO, SayWhat!?, and Butl3r to name a few.

Where can fans catch you over the next couple of months?

I have a Monday night residency at Charlie Brown’s Piano Bar, I will have a ticketed show coming up end of January that is yet to be announced and then I play around town quite frequently. You can see me at Bierstadt Lagerhaus, the Pint Room in Littleton, and other incredible local bars and restaurants

Is there a cause or business outside of Loop Story that you’re passionate about supporting? Tell us a little about it and why others should support it!

1876 Apparel is a Littleton-based company that sells apparel. I have worked side-by-side with them for many years as a musician as well as in their operations. Super high-end clothing.

How do you manage your mental health as someone involved in the music industry?

For me, my most comfort in mental health comes from financial stability. To do that, I just have to work. As a gigging musician, it takes a long time and a lot of persistence to get yourself comfortable with music being your base income. So I try to find any way that I can make money, and then find how I can make most of that money by making music. From where it’s finding time to separate. Taking vacations with my fiancé, cuddling with my cats, and just genuinely doing what I love.

What is one piece of advice given to you that you’ll never forget?

Only perform what you are good at and you give the crowd no reason to doubt your skill.

How can people support Loop Story?

I am active on all social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube) - give the pages a follow. I am always playing around town so come and say hi. I also have tshirts available that are individually screen printed by yours truly. Those are available for $20.

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Sarah Shuel