A Chat with Lucky Duck (28.11.24)
Delving into the complexities of life from relationships to self-discovery, singer-songwriter Lucky Duck captures your heart with his moving melodies. The US-based musician might hail from New York, but he “goes wherever the music takes him”. From country and pop to folk and Americana, you’re never sure what to expect; you can be certain it’s going to be amazing. We speak with Lucky Duck about his new single ‘fadin’, collaborations, and future plans.
OSR: Rather cliché, but what made you decide to pursue a career in music? What first drew you to music and how did you get to Lucky Duck?
Lucky Duck: When I was 14 years old, I wrote my first song. it just came to me: two verses and a chorus. It was a rap song called ‘Aspiration’, and it was about my high aspirations for life and music career. From then on, songs just kept coming to me and I started releasing music at 16. I’m 24 now. Songwriting is my longest and strongest passion, it’s both a hobby and a job; I love it so much.
With Lucky Duck, I kicked off this era in June 2023 after a 3 year music hiatus. From 2016-2020, I was a Soundcloud rapper named Empath. I honestly go wherever my songwriting goes and in December 2018, I wrote this lil’ heartache record called’ in my head’ which would end up becoming Lucky Duck’s debut single. From there, I started writing more singing songs not rap songs, and now we’re here!
OSR: You recently released your single ‘fadin’. It appears to be a little more alternative rock than ‘NOT INTO U’ or ‘FMO’. Do you think this is a good representation of your sound and who you are as an artist at the moment?
Lucky Duck: I would definitely say that if I had to pick one song to represent me right now, it would be ‘fadin’; I think it’s a great display of where my singing, songwriting, and music video production skills are at. It doesn’t represent my whole sound, as I’m honestly still trying to find my sound. My sound’s always evolving, I’ve been in this pop-rock angsty era for a minute, but I think I’m going more pop in the future.
OSR: You collaborated with several industry professionals on ‘fadin’ including Denise Barbarita and Chris Allgood. What was that experience like, and do you think collaboration is important when creating music?
Lucky Duck: Denise is my girl. We started working together in Fall 2023 on a record I was really trying to get done for a while called ‘NOT INTO U’ and I was having a bit of trouble trying to find a good team in the industry that fit with my vibe and artistry. The biz can be tough in that way sometimes. Denise came down from the heavens and has really empowered me as vocalist, and yea we’ve been working together on all my music ever since. She’s a mf star!
For me, collaboration is necessary when making music. I love building teams for each project I put out, and having a hand in every part, from the cover art, to the promo, to the music video, to the song. I’m not able to DIY those things right now, so I always have to collaborate but I actually love it. I’m a hella creative person, but sometimes I can only pull so much out my ass y’know? When people on the same vibe get together, a lotta great things can happen.
OSR: What can you tell us about ‘fadin’. Is there a backstory or theme?
Lucky Duck: I started writing this record in May 2023 while I was going through a breakup. This record is about a relationship that you and your partner know is headed for the end, and you’ve both for whatever reason have decided to just let it happen… it’s freeing, it’s claustrophobic, it’s anxiety-inducing, it’s emotional AF, it’s life. I tried my best to capture all those feelings in this song. I always try to be raw and honest in my music, even if it sometimes doesn’t paint me in the best light. Sometimes I’m the villain in the song, but I’m going to own my ugly moments and imperfections and do better moving forward.
OSR: In your press release you mention that this single draws from personal experiences. Do you think it is important for a musician to weave those personal experiences and narratives into songs and if so, why so?
Lucky Duck: My take is: to each their own. If you wanna spill the tea on the mic, go for it. If you wanna make songs about hot dogs and taxes, go for it. For me, I mostly write about myself; that’s the easiest. Sometimes, I feel like I’m writing to literally just try to understand me if that makes sense.
OSR: What do you hope people will take from ‘fadin’?
Lucky Duck: For me on this record, I’m really putting myself out there, and owning my ugly moments and imperfections. I’m kind of “exposing” myself, and of course, vowing to be better. I hope this song makes someone feel something and own their ugly, instead of beating themselves up for it. We all fuck up sometimes, let’s accept it and move on and do better.
OSR: What do you take from ‘fadin’?
Lucky Duck: I’m just really proud of this song. I think it’s a great display of where my singing, songwriting, and music video production skills are at. This is def my most polished song and m/v so far and it’s only up from here.
OSR: Random questions: what is your most cringe-worthy moment to date?
Lucky Duck: I’ve never had a cringe-worthy moment in my life.
OSR: What is the best thing you have learned in the past year?
Lucky Duck: Being present. All we have is now, and we have to treasure the moment, good and bad.
OSR: You mention you’re in your “singles era”, so what singles can we expect in the future?
Lucky Duck: I have a single coming out top of 2025 called ‘i want that’. It’s like country mixed with pop and hip hop; it’s cute ‘n fun. Then, for #LuckyDuckEra2 I’m def entering my pop girl era, I’m endlessly excited to build it and show y’all what I can do. I got some cool ideas!
Many thanks to Lucky Duck for speaking with us. For more about Lucky Duck check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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