SPIRIT & FLESH Magazine - IN BLOOM Issue - Luke James - by JD Barnes, Paco Lampecinado, Vera Ulisko

wasn’t happening in our house (chuckles). I am the only child, so I was all she had to worry about. She was strict but also a very creative, imaginative, joyful woman and she just poured that energy into me, regardless of what was going on, regardless if she was struggling to make ends meet. She always shielded me from all that.

Anything you care to share about your father?

I’ve had several father figures. My grandfather was a huge father figure to me, I grew up calling him “daddy” because my mom called him daddy and I thought that was his name (laughs). When I got a little older and realized his name was “Luke” (laughs) I remember being like ’no, that’s my name’ (laughs)! So, I found out that I’m named after my grandfather, which is cool… but yeah, I didn’t grew up with a father, but I had father figures. When there was something my mom didn’t quite understand, you know, trying to raise a child into a young man, I had a lot of great men to look up to, to help keep me in line. Mr. Guy Charleville one of my favorite teachers, Mr. James Carey from church, who used to mentor children from different parts of the city, and once a year take us to this place called “Kids Across America” in St. Louis where kids who may be dealing with some things at home just needed an outlet. Mr. James Carey was one of those people who was helping kids to see the world differently, he was doing that for kids in New Orleans, he did that for me!

How was it being raised as the only child and how did it shape the man and artist you are today?

I feel like I’m still growing so it’s been pretty cool (laughs). And yes, you know being by myself had naturally forced me to creatively find alternatives to siblings. Music was my second best friend, my mother being my first. I was a wild child, I guess I still am. I would also say that growing up in solitude helps me now in life to be alone and not be afraid to be alone.

Alone with my own thoughts, to check my energy and my mindset. It helped me to walk to my own tune, you know, be myself, and I’m grateful for that.

When and how did your love affair with music start?

Well, my mom inspired that love for sure. We always had a piano in the house, which she played for me, and she had a