Last August, the California-based multi-hyphenate lor2mg released ROSE NERA, a self-produced goth rock album that the artist calls “a love letter to The Cure and Second Still.” A month ago, lor2mg dropped another project, LOR4LIFE 2 : REBIRTH, an 8-track release that blends cloud rap beats with occasional skramz vocals. Now, in November, the first anniversary of lor2mg’s debut live set just passed; at these shows, the artist plays songs about loneliness to a crowd of hyped kids searching for community. So much can happen in a year, and we asked about all of it. Let the genre discourse commence—regardless of category, it’s all worth listening to—read our interview with the artist, and listen to LOR4LIFE 2 : REBIRTH, below.

I saw that you’re a David Lynch fan—do you consider your music to be Lynchian? Do you have any anecdotes about him that only real heads would know?

lor2mg: I definitely consider my music Lynchian! My album “Sunny Paws” is super influenced by his soundtracks from his series Twin Peaks and the film Mulholland Drive. Learning, and adding a jazzier sound to my discography was a lot of fun! I think a lot of people don’t know he created his own website in the late 1990s and had a podcast with his daughter. You can dig up on webarchive!

Do you have any film recommendations? 

Ruby Sparks: a better version of every deconstructive take on the manic pixie dream girl. Female Trouble: if you can handle raunchy, truly despicable comedy for the queer community that’s anti-hetero check this out! Seance on a Wet Sunday: an amazing old Hollywood thriller about a scammer psychic.

What inspired the ROSA NERA cover? I know you’re originally from Arkansas, and it has a tintype Southern Gothic vibe. 

The actress, director and visionary Musidora inspired the look I created for this. She was film’s first vampire on screen I believe, and her aesthetics were super cool visually. I created the costume myself and tried to emulate that vampiric romance from old French film.

How do your surroundings in Isla Vista affect your headspace? That environment seems dichotomous to this latest project. 

Isla Vista is definitely a place with a lackluster music community; it’s a lot of cover bands. I don’t mind that, but trying to connect with any other musicians feels impossible. It’s either deep tech DJs or dad rockers. I really miss being in NorCal honestly!

You’ve explored everything from rap to shoegaze to dream pop. Are there any new genres you plan on tapping into?

On Lor2mg, no. I think I have found the sound I want here and I’m staying with it. I am exploring more softer, lo-fi music on a side project I have coming soon though!

You began playing shows in 2024 after years of isolation. What's been the most challenging part, and what keeps you going?

The only two challenges are venues not being disabled-friendly and sometimes the social anxiety before performing, but it all flows away when I begin my set. Honestly what keeps me going is the fans' reaction, they were more than amazing for my first year doing two tours back to back. I met so many other disabled people and got to hear their stories, and after sharing what I went through so many people reached out saying things like “you inspire me,” which is crazy to me! It’s really sweet though and I hope we can have a disabled-friendly venue in the future.

What's your favorite memory from your opening dates with Kitty Craft?

It was my last night, in Santa Cruz, playing with Kitty. Even remembering this makes me tear up. I loved their music for years, and Pam knew my favorite songs. I ran into the middle of the crowd, and people were excited and dancing, and she started playing “Alright.” Every member of the band was meeting eyes with me, smiling big and at the end of the song I ran up on stage and gave them all the biggest hug I could. They were the BEST people I could have ever played with. I love Kitty Craft!!

Did your relationship to your work change once you started performing it live?

Yes!!! I used to make ten songs a day, live in my loneliness, but now that I can play live and also be with more friends in real life, I’ve worked so much less this year! I guess a break is okay, but I still released three projects this year, so maybe I’m not as lazy as I make myself seem.