Four of Us on the Run—Back in the Studio with Lucius

In our May 2022 issue, I interviewed vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, as well as drummer Dan Molad, of the indie-pop band Lucius, who had just recorded their album, Second Nature, with noted producer Dave Cobb and artist/producer Brandi Carlile.

I caught up with the three of them again in our August 2024 issue, marking the 10th anniversary and re-recording of the band’s first album, Wildewoman. Today, I am sitting down with them again, this time joined by the band’s guitarist, Peter Lalish.

You might wonder why I’m interviewing the same band three times in just over three years. The simple answer is that Lucius is one of my favorite bands. That said, when it comes to crafting music in today’s modern recording landscape, I think there is great value in the insights that can be gleaned from any artist, engineer or producer as they evolve over multiple albums in a decade-long recording career.

After working with a host of famous producers in famous studios—from Bearsville, to Electric Lady to RCA Studio A—for the band’s latest release, appropriately titled Lucius, the band has chosen to get back to basics. Dan Molad produced the album in his own personal studio, Sounds Like a Fire, as well as at Altimira Sound in Alhambra, CA.