Lucas Duplan's 'Room Tone' Explores the Ephemeral Nature of Music
The Los Angeles-based producer releases his debut EP, challenging his own philosophy of impermanence.
Lucas Duplan, a Los Angeles-based DJ and music producer, has built his career on the idea of fleeting musical moments. His live sets are known for incorporating unique edits crafted for specific crowds and venues, which he then deletes, leaving no trace beyond the memory of those present. Now, Duplan is exploring the tension between this philosophy of impermanence and the enduring format of a recorded EP with his debut release, "Room Tone."
Origins of a Philosophy
Duplan's approach to music production stems from his childhood fascination with jukeboxes. His father, who repaired jukeboxes in dive bars, would bring home the 45s that were most frequently skipped. Duplan became obsessed with understanding why certain songs were overlooked, a question that continues to drive his work.
He began producing music at 16, but a pivotal experience occurred in 2023 when a poorly received showcase led him to analyze his mistakes and request another opportunity. This led to a standing Tuesday night slot, providing him with a consistent environment to experiment with how subtle changes in sequencing and production influenced crowd behavior in real time. This iterative process informed his principle for live sets: "Most DJs curate; I manufacture on-site."
For Duplan, the venue, its acoustics, and the audience are integral elements that function as instruments, with edits created in response to these factors being intentionally unrepeatable.
"Room Tone": A Series in Progress
"Room Tone" challenges Duplan's established instinct for impermanence by presenting it in a format designed for permanence and repeatability. Duplan envisions the EP not as a standalone project but as the beginning of a series, with future installments intended to be created live within distinct, iconic Los Angeles spaces.
The EP's debut single, "Skipped 45," directly references his early experiences with unwanted records. The track's creation was inspired by a situation where he was unable to find a requested vinyl-only track. Duplan meticulously reconstructed it from stems overnight, a process of editing and reinterpretation that has become central to his production methods.
The core inquiry of "Room Tone" lies in whether the EP format can successfully translate the impact of his live, ephemeral edits. Duplan has long argued that a track's essence is inseparable from the environment in which it is created. A recorded release, however, necessitates that the track endure across various listening contexts. "Room Tone" does not seek to resolve this inherent tension but rather to exist within it, making the EP a compelling exploration of this duality.