Lyktum talks Consciousness, Call of Duty & Covid-19 and introduces us to his new album Mission 5D
Reported by Jessica Alici
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Submitted 12-10-20 09:27
Lyktum (aka Dejan Jovanovic) has been making magical mystical mesmerising Psychedelic-Trance for a while now! So to say I'm excited to hear his new album 'Mission 5D' would be an understatement! Therefore now felt like the perfect time to check in with this Sonic Wizard to find out all about it...amongst other things...
Hey Dejan, long time no speak - how are you doing and what had you been up to leading up to Covid-19 hitting?
Hi Jessica! Long time, no speak indeed my dear friend! I'm doing alright, it's been quite a journey for the past 7 months since the spread of the virus. My social life has drastically thinned and I found myself lonelier than I ever expected. Yet another solitude is happening and this one was not by choice. As you know, we are highly social creatures and having restrictions against us uniting together was a really big kick in life, for you, for me and everyone else.
How have you been coping through these unusual times? In the absence of lots of gigs, what has been keeping you busy?
The situation gave me a lot of free time and I found myself playing an online video game called "Call of Duty - Warzone". I play with friends from around the world. Connecting online is kind of filling that empty spot to a certain extent, having a laugh here and there is nice. Other than that, I've been producing music as often as I could find the motivation. This isolation isn't helping. Traveling and meeting new people and having new experiences was a huge inspiration for me to produce new moments in music, as life emerges from each moment. But right now, everything feels like it's on stand-by.
What are your thoughts regarding the current virus situation?
I do not follow the media or the news, I threw the TV out of my home 20 years ago when I realised media is a very fear-based machine and I personally do not trust it nor will I ever. I'm against it to the core of my being. However, I do not conspire any theories regarding the situation, therefore I have my own visions and thoughts that are personal. Everything in a way makes sense, and the situation is not only about the virus, but perhaps a reduction of the human race. We are awakening to a new dimension of perception and understanding, and if anything is standing in our way to evolve our minds and transcend our souls, it's the virus.
What other artists have you been listening to recently?
I've been listening to Oleg Byonic recently, I find his music very smooth and emotional, sensual to say the least 
Apart from music what are your biggest loves?
My biggest loves in life are: my mother who has been giving me endless support in life and music, my beautiful girlfriend from Brazil who has made me see colours again, and my dog Sky whom I adore so much. For them I am grateful eternally, deeply in my heart, I love them!
You have a new album due for release on Iono-Music called ‘Mission 5D’, tell us about it - when you started it, why this title, the inspirations for it, the equipment used, favourite tracks etc?
Yes, the new album - 'Mission 5D'! I started working on it soon after I'd finished the previous album 'Human', so it was 2018 when I started it. The title is very special to me, it's a mission of life, something I always wanted to do, to make music beyond our mind, to present something new, but yet something we all know deeply in our existence. The idea came to me so spontaneously that I just devoted myself to finishing it with a flow. Inspiration for it was the very Spirit itself, I have had this connection from beyond the skies, I don't know how else to describe it, it's just there, invisible and impossible, but it's there and I know it, as I've been there before. The equipment used was a lot of Behringer Deepmind analog synths, and quite a few excellent VSTs, such as Rapid and Serum. I cannot say which track is my favourite, as they are all my babies, but if I really had to choose one, it would be ‘New Earth’.
The artwork is insanely incredible, tell us about this…
I've started playing around with Photoshop 2 years ago, and I've been practicing a lot lately. It became a new hobby of mine to design artworks, as it's the perfect visual representation of my music. This artwork in particular has a very meaningful perception, it's showing a map of the 3rd, 4th and 5th dimensions. Back in 2015 before I created the album 'Human', I'd been to a couple of Ayahuasca retreats, and it has shown me so much about just how much I didn't know! So therefore this artwork is a journey of having that experience itself. To whoever finds this artwork inspirational, look more closely and you will find the message in the 5th dimension to decipher.
The album is quality with some beautifully stunning tracks on there. I'm curious as to the reason for the titles ‘Sagittarius’, is this your star sign? And also ‘Hero’s Journey’. Is this about any one in particular?
Yes indeed, Sagittarius is my star sign, and for it I have a mission in this life; that mission is to take my tools, my bow and arrow! The bow being the synthesizers and the arrow is the vibrational ideas and I aim straight to the vision itself without any obstacles in the way. I pursue this vision and imagine I am everyone, maybe people who are not capable of describing their visions, maybe find this one in particular resonating in a way or two.
'Hero's Journey' is a very self-explanatory concept - I find it quite heroic to travel dimensions with the mind and soul, to transcend. Just a few dare to enter the infinite knowledge of ancient space, and let me tell you, it's scary out there beyond the mind; but none the less, a mission for everyone to endure in a life time, as you are the hero of your own journey.
You are A&R Manager for Iono-Lounge. How is this going?
It's going alright, for the past 2 years, we've had some really great releases from very inspirational artists who took music to another level of expression, as it should be and now it's going good! I design artworks and write text releases as well as talk directly to the artists and hear their stories, help them get concepts in shape and present their music to the world. During the pandemic situation, I am truly sorry to say that there are a few less releases nowadays, as the situation hit us all so strong and some artists are taking time away from music.
Tell us about Sky Soul.....
Sky Soul is my downtempo-ambient project in the chillout domain. I don't like to categorise genres in general, but it's a form of expression none the less. I am working on the album as we speak, and hopefully it will be finished soon, as I really find it hard to focus on two completely different musical projects at the same time. Motivation is a huge factor for this one.
Do you feel you have changed/evolved as an artist? If so, in what way?
Definitely, yes. When I hear my works from 10-15 years ago, and when I hear what I'm doing now, there is a very big difference of evolution in sound quality and expression itself. Concepts are more-broad, and art itself continues to amaze me each day. I don't know where am I going, but it's exciting going to the unknown day by day.
If you weren’t an Artist what might you be do you think?
Oh, it's a thought I had recently as well. Until recently I never imagined doing anything else but music. I'd most probably be connected with food perhaps, as I always wanted to know how to make delicious foods that put a smile on other people’s faces. Chef Lyktum?! Bon Apetite! lol.
What has been your favourite place to visit ever and why?
I've been to so many places and I've found some very interesting and refreshing things. Particularly Japan and India, but the one that resonated with me the most was Brazil. In that land there is so much freedom, amazing people, an awakened society, tropical foods, the beach, the ocean, the jungle; anything you might think of is right there!
What are your hopes & dreams for the future?
I do not like to look in the future, but rather stay in this moment right here and right now, writing answers to this interview and listening to some amazing chillout music. I do hope that the pandemic ends as soon as it's safe for everyone, so we can all smile, hug and dance together again soon!
Lastly - what’s your motto or mantra for life?
To be a conscious person, to avoid those who say that ignorance is bliss, as they usually create chaos, but to be respectful. To be kind to all forms of life, no matter if you are right or not, love and trust over insecurities, I am You, and You are Me. Peace and Love!
Watch out for Lyktum's new album 'Mission 5D' out on Iono-Music on the 12th October 2020!
Listen to previous tracks from Lyktum here:
https://soundcloud.com/lyktum
Follow Lyktum on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/Lyktum
Follow Iono-Music here:
https://www.facebook.com/ionomusic
All images are courtesy of Lyktum and not to be reproduced without permission.
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Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme!
Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works.
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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