1. Why did you now release a “Best Of” Album?

Ryan: There wasn’t enough material to put out a new album this year, so Projekt suggested we release a “best of” album. I took it a step further by including two recent remixes from Flux, and a few other tracks which hadn’t seen much distribution. I liked the idea of doing a retrospective for a few reasons, one of which is that we gained a lot of new fans with our last album, Flux. I think Temporal gives a nice summation of our career before that point, and a hint of where the sound will go from here. 

2. You have changed your style towards Drum’n’Bass and Trip Hop. Why so?

Ryan: It’s just a matter of my changing interests that marks my music. At the start, I was into 60’s psychedelia, like Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, plus Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and the Shoegazer thing. Seefeel and Massive Attack got me started thinking more electronically and beat-oriented. But I’ve listened to electronic dance music throughout the entire history of LSD — I went to underground raves in the late 80’s and all of that  — but I hadn’t heard dance music that I would like to create myself until atmospheric d’n’b. For me, it’s the perfect blend of ambient/ethereal electronics and dance beats. I also really enjoy downtempo music. I’m currently grooving to LTJ Bukem’s new album and his Cookin’ label series of EPs.

3. You seem to cooperate quite well in your compositions. Ryan is completely responsible for the music, Suzanne for the lyrics. How do you put these two parts together? What is your preferred working method?

Ryan: I’ve never been much of a lyricist, so I’m happy to leave that to whomever is singing for me. Suzanne has often opted not to use lyrics, but sounds, all of which she basically makes up as she’s going along. Jennifer and Kristen both had some poetry with them when they came in to record, and my newest singer, Anji, is working both ways. But in general, the way it all comes together is that after I more or less complete a song, I bring the singer in and set them up to record whatever comes to them immediately. Everything with Love Spirals is very spontaneous and fluid. I’ll go back in and edit things, effect them, layer them, move them around and so forth, but there’s usually not a whole lot of forethought or planning to it. That’s the way I’ve always liked to work, and Suzanne preferred it that way, too.

4. How were the reactions for your last regular album “Flux”?

Ryan: Flux was very well received all across the board. It was the best selling album for Projekt that year, with sales starting out very strong and continuing on throughout the year. We were really happy to see that not only were past fans picking it up, but people who had never heard of us before. We got a little bit of radio play, some interesting media attention and tons of email from all over the globe. I couldn’t have anticipated how well it would all turn out.

5. Did you feel somewhat insecure concerning this change in musical style in terms of the reaction of the audience?

Ryan: Not really. I make music for the enjoyment of it. People seem to think LSD suddenly jumped into an electronic sound, but it’s been a gradual process. With Temporal, you can hear how I consistently brought in more electronic atmospheres and beats, stripping down the guitars and vocals. Through it all, the music retains a mood. I just make pretty music; that’s what I like. 

6. How successful are you in the US?

Ryan: That’s a tough judgement to make. I mean, people don’t walk up to us and say, “Hey you’re Love Spirals Downwards!” when we’re in public or anything. We get fan mail, interviews, and offers to play live. There’s interest in us, but it’s all pretty low-key.

7. Are you professional musicians/means can you live from your music alone? If not, what are you working?

Ryan: I would be in trouble if I tried to live off of my royalties! I’ve always had some sort of job while doing Love Spirals. I had been doing freelance html work for some time, but I just recently took a full-time position as a Streaming Media Specialist. Suzanne is still at her research job and doing well for herself.

8. Can you imagine to live in another country? If yes, why? And if no, why not?

Ryan: I’ve often said I want to retire in Mexico. I feel very at-home there. I love the food and the atmosphere there. We actually have a pretty good following in Mexico. The turnout for our Mexico City show was amazing, and we still get mail begging us to come back all the time. But that’s not why I want to go back. I like how laid-back everything is out there.

9. Will there be a new “normal” album soon? Normally you need approx. 2 years, but now “Temporal” was released. Does this mean that the next album will be released in 2002?

Ryan: You were quite astute to note my unofficial release schedule! Projekt asked if we could get an album together for release next year, but I don’t think that’s possible for me. I haven’t gotten back into an “album mode” since Flux was completed. All of the music I’ve worked on has been on a per-song basis. First I was working on remixes for various compilations — one of which was just released. Claire Voyant’s new album, Time Again, includes a remix of “Bittersweet” which Anji and I did together earlier this year. The two of us have also produced 3 atmospheric drum n bass tracks which I had pressed to acetate for my DJ sets. Drum n Bass is not album-oriented, it’s single-oriented. My label isn’t geared up for either vinyl or club music, so I’m not sure what my next step will be. For now, I just work on music when I’m inspired. I figure that when the time is right, it will all come together for me. That’s how it’s always worked in the past.

10. Can we expect to see you live in Europe in the near future? 

Ryan: Right now Love Spirals isn’t anywhere close to doing a live show. I DJ regularly, and that’s how I’m promoting my music. There’s always talk of trying to do something more band-oriented, but I honestly don’t have the funds or time to dedicate to that.

College radio station KUCI 88.9 FM produces a professional ‘zine to promote their shows, DJs, and favorite bands. In the most recent issue, they featured a review of Flux penned by the station’s music director, Anji Bee:

With Flux, bandleader, Ryan Lum, has fully committed himself to the electronic groove based sound first hinted at on Love Spirals Downwards’ previous album, Ever. Flux gives full play to Lum’s increasing attraction to the melodic side of drum and bass music, with 7 of 9 tracks using that unique polyrhythmic technique. Over an electronic bed of break beats, samples and synth, Lum lays down his signature guitar melodies and lush washes, using both electric and acoustic guitars. 

Unlike most drum and bass projects, vocals — both full and sampled — are used extensively on Flux, creating more of a listening album feel than a dance club vibe. Including vocal work from long time collaborator, Suzanne Perry, as well as her sister, Kristen Perry — plus a redux of Jennifer Ryan Fullers 1994 “Sunset Bell” performance — all the vocals are very dreamy, light, feminine and classically Projekt Records in sound. 

I believe it’s the vocal sound Lum prefers which still keeps LSD in favor with the gothic/Projekt /4AD contingency that follows the band, perhaps even more so than his beautifully poignant guitar playing. Still, this release should finally blast away the misconception that they are a goth band. If you ask Lum, he’ll firmly insist that they were never gothic to begin with, regardless of how they’ve been perceived by fans or the press. 

Love Spirals Downwards has a way of creating happy-sad music that simultaneously makes one feel exalted and contemplative. Flux continues in this tradition, but seems to up the ante just a bit. Over all, the tempo is upbeat, the melodies heartbreaking, the vocals soothing, and everything flows together in the seamless, trance inducing, spirit-lifting vein of LSD’s past albums. With Flux, the songs speak both to your spirit and your mind, your heart and your body.