LMST’s ‘Satellite’: How a Soft Approach Is Revolutionizing R&B with "A Quiet Invitation to Reflect"

Produced by the Renowned Team vyd, Known for Their Work with PLAVE, YUGYEOM, KANG DANIEL, and DHACK, LMST’s ‘Satellite’ Features Warm Guitar Melodies and Reflective Lyrics, Capturing the Essence of Life’s Quiet Moments and Personal Reflection.

??ABOUT THE ARTIST

LMST, also known as LENNY MAKES SOME-THING, is an artist who seamlessly balances two distinct worlds. By day, he’s a Sales Director in an IT company, while by night, he transforms into a soulful R&B musician. His latest single, “Satellite,” released on August 31, 2024, marks a significant evolution in his musical journey.

In “Satellite,” LMST explores the theme of finding purpose amidst daily routines. The track, produced in collaboration with the renowned team vyd—known for their work on PLAVE’s ‘Our Movie,’ YUGYEOM’s ‘LA SOL MI,’ KANG DANIEL’s ‘RE8EL,’ and DHACK’s ‘The Party Without Me (feat. Hyolyn)’—blends a relaxed atmosphere with emotional depth. LMST’s musical journey began through his involvement in a cultural venue supporting indie artists, which led to his debut single, “NO FANTASY.”

Now, with “Satellite,” he continues to blend his dual lives into his music, aiming to capture and reflect the aspirations and challenges of everyday people.

??? ABOUT THE SONG

Q: Your new track, Satellite, features a distinctive lowercase title, which contrasts with the capitalization style seen in your previous releases. Could you share the reasoning behind this stylistic choice?

A: The intention behind this song was to convey its message not by shouting it out, but rather in a quiet and calm manner.

In contrast, my previous songs with titles in uppercase letters typically featured a dance style with intense kicks or bass and conveyed somewhat straightforward and direct messages. On the other hand, Satellite is more of an invitation, where I lay out my thoughts in a calm atmosphere, hoping that each listener can reflect and find their own answers. I chose this lowercase style as a way to effectively convey that stance.

Satellite is more of an invitation, where I lay out my thoughts in a calm atmosphere, hoping that each listener can reflect and find their own answers.

Q: If you were to dedicate Satellite as a special gift to someone, who would it be and why?

A: I would like to dedicate this song to everyone who, like me, is navigating uncertain situations and grappling with their thoughts. I want to tell them, “You’ve been following your own path well, you’re doing well, and you will continue to do well.” In a life that is constantly evolving and changing, simply believing in your potential and staying true to your daily life means you’ve already succeeded more than halfway.

“You’ve been following your own path well, you’re doing well, and you will continue to do well.”

Q: The song Satellite carries a strong sense of melancholy, particularly with the leit motif oh, I miss so much/oh, I need so much. Do you believe this melancholy should find resolution, or do you believe that people should embrace lifes uncertainties and go with the flow?

A: Anxiety and uncertainty in daily life seem to be inevitable. So sometimes it seems insignificant to look like a satellite, not a planet. Nevertheless, I thought I should focus on what I can do in my daily life. Like a satellite that silently orbits a planet, I believe that if I silently focus on my life, one day I will be able to find something new and move toward it.

“What should I do now? Just circle till I find. I’m Satellite.”

Q: In your music video, a woman on a bicycle is featured prominently. Is there a particular significance or symbolism behind this choice?

A: This song is the result of my initial thoughts on how to most effectively enjoy the late summer and early autumn seasons.

During this time, you can often see people riding bicycles everywhere, and I thought that the act of riding a bike at a relatively steady pace effectively represents the way we navigate our daily routines. In the music video, you’ll notice that from the beginning to the middle, the female protagonist rides her bicycle from right to left. This represents the clockwise direction, symbolizing the flow of our everyday lives without any particular events.

However, after the bridge and the scene with the cactus pot, she starts moving from left to right. This signifies the moment when the protagonist realizes something and brings a change to her own orbit.

If you pay attention to this change while watching the music video, I believe you’ll be able to connect with the meaning of the song even more deeply.

Q: Since Satellite captures the essence of transitioning from summer to autumn, how do different seasons typically influence your songwriting process? Are there particular times of the year that inspire distinct themes or emotions in your music?

A: There are many reasons why people choose music, but I believe the characteristics of each season play a significant role. Of course, the criteria for choosing music can vary from person to person.

In spring, I often come up with ideas for songs that have a fresh feeling, in autumn, something with a touch of melancholy, and in winter—though the end of the year and the beginning of the year can feel different—songs that convey a warm sense of comfort.

I never really liked summer.

As for summer, I used to think primarily about the heat, vibrancy, and the thrill of vacation. But this time, it was a bit different. I never really liked summer. The sun was so intense that it was hard to stand under it, and (especially in Korea) the humidity was so overwhelming that it felt suffocating. Naturally, I found myself easily irritated, and it felt like my daily life was not running smoothly.

However, a few years ago, things started to change little by little. The intense sunlight and humid air are still overwhelming, but I began to notice other aspects of summer. I started to appreciate the deep, unique colors everything radiates, the changes in the air as it cools after sunset, the sense of rest that only summer can bring, and the distinct smell of summer. Gradually, I found myself growing fond of these things one by one. And with that, I began to focus on summer and make an effort to spend it fully.

No one knows what might be unfolding on the other side of the satellite, and the world and the universe seen from the satellite’s perspective might have their own unique charm.

When viewed from a distance, a satellite seems to orbit steadily. But I believe that’s because we’re only seeing one side of it. No one knows what might be unfolding on the other side of the satellite, and the world and the universe seen from the satellite’s perspective might have their own unique charm. This shift in trying to see things differently while still focusing on my own orbit—this change has subtly found its way into this song as well.

Q: Given the title Satellite, do you have a particular interest in astronomy? Many artists explore the intersection of science and art in their work. Considering your dual role as a sales director in IT and an R&B musician, how do you perceive the relationship between art and science?

A: I am fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. I feel a deep sense of awe for the enigmas that the smartest people on Earth dedicate their lives to uncovering, and for the countless things that still remain unknown. That’s why I enjoy watching YouTube videos and documentaries about space.

I am fascinated by the mysteries of the universe.

I also like to connect the new facts I learn to my everyday life. Sometimes, I even try to empathize with the many events that occur in space—like imagining how Pluto might feel after being demoted from its planetary status in the solar system.

While I don’t plan to make my music as spectacular as a sci-fi movie about space, I think my stance on the universe and the themes I draw from it will subtly influence my music going forward.

Q: What are your thoughts on integrating technology with art? For exemple how do you feel about the rise of AI and its impact on music creation?

A: I believe that the fusion of technology and art is inevitable.

Historically, it has always been this way. Just as the sculptures and paintings of the Renaissance era applied the best mechanical techniques, materials, and production methods of their time, it’s undeniable that AI technology is the hot topic of today.

Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to give university lectures on this subject. In these lectures, I introduce students to how AI is currently being utilized in the arts, particularly in music. Tools like AI Music Generators such as Suno allow us to create new styles and results based on algorithms, not just through traditional methods. In fact, many music contests in Korea have awarded music created with the help of AI.

While AI may not yet achieve the same level of sophistication, the use of AI in art is bound to become inevitable, and how effectively one utilizes it will become increasingly important in the future.

Q: To wrap up, did you face any challenges during the creation of this song? Did the concept come to you quickly, or did you spend considerable time developing and refining your ideas?

A: After releasing my previous album, the period leading up to this new album felt like a major crisis. I didn’t want to do anything, and I was overwhelmed by the anxiety that nothing I did would be recognized. On top of that, I was dealing with a lot of stress at work, which left me with little energy to dedicate to LMST.

However, despite all this, I didn’t allow myself to feel rushed. I knew that everyone goes through periods like this, and I decided that I couldn’t let this phase make me give up on my dream of LMST. I kept reminding myself, “This too shall pass,” and I held on to the belief that eventually, my energy and inspiration would return. I waited patiently, maintaining a regular exercise routine and leading a disciplined life in preparation for when that moment would come.

I kept reminding myself, “This too shall pass,” and I held on to the belief that eventually, my energy and inspiration would return.

This song was a genre I hadn’t attempted before. Most of my previous songs were upbeat dance tracks, so I was honestly worried about whether I could create a calm and emotional song like this one. Because of that, I focused more on the story and atmosphere I wanted to convey through the song. Unlike my other songs where I first came up with the theme and melody, for this one, I started by developing the storyline and completing the main structure of the lyrics. Then, based on that, I created the theme and melody to match.

In a way, you could say that LMST’s Satellite orbited in the opposite direction, and the result turned out to be quite successful.

To keep up with LMST’s latest music and projects, make sure to follow him on social media:

Instagram ?? @lmst_thing

Youtube ?? @lmst_thing

Article by Marianne Brillaud, Marketing & Management Student | International Business | Remote Teamwork | Branding Strategy | Artist Support