Loren Kramar’s latest EP, ‘Living Legend,’ is truly remarkable. Released recently, this project serves as a hauntingly beautiful and genuine tribute to his admiration for Lana Del Rey, whose songs he covers throughout the album.
When we connect with Kramar via Zoom, he presents an impressive appearance, clad in a floral (likely designer) striped shirt that is partially unbuttoned. To be fair, he does button it up while we chat. His long hair and well-groomed beard contribute to the impression that we’re conversing with a man of style and taste. This is confirmed as he shares that he is a devoted fan and “listener” of the legendary Lana Del Rey, to the extent that he has created a five-track EP consisting entirely of her covers.
However, this EP ‘Living Legend’ almost didn’t happen, as Kramar expressed concern about how it might be perceived by others. “The idea of recording it felt very intimidating, and I thought, ‘Oh God, I don’t want people to think, what kind of arrogance does this guy have to feel entitled to reinterpret these songs that are so contemporary, so recent, and so cherished?’”
We are incredibly grateful that he chose to record and release this EP, as the outcome is stunningly impressive. Kramar mentions that the challenge of creating this collection was also “appealing.” He reflects, “The original intention was simply to do a covers album, featuring a selection of songs not just by Lana, but then I thought, ‘If someone else did this before me, it would drive me crazy with envy. It frightened me, but I thought, ‘Get over it. Do it anyway.’”
Kramar shares his enthusiasm for Lana Del Rey’s recent work: “I’ve been a huge fan of [Lana Del Rey] since the start of her career, and I can confidently say that in the past few years, her more than any other artist – when her album drops, I’m listening to it at midnight on release day.”
“I view her as a central figure in music and pop culture for my generation. She fascinates me across many aspects, but at the core, I’m truly captivated by her words and stories.”
Lana Del Rey’s music has also been a significant part of Kramar’s life while living in LA. “Not only do I adore her, but she holds immense importance in the lives of many people close to me. For instance, at Mel’s Diner, renowned for its ‘50s music on the jukebox, they have a panel featuring Lana Del Rey's songs. Listening to those tracks during a date with someone I love…”
The tracklist for ‘Living Legend’ includes ‘hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have – but i have it,’ ‘Living Legend,’ ‘Heroin,’ ‘Ride,’ and ‘Beautiful.’ On his choices for the songs, especially considering Lana Del Rey’s extensive catalog, he explains: “I selected tracks with very specific histories, memories, and associations for me.” He describes the process of recording the songs as “memorialising those memories,” making it an intensely personal endeavor. “It couldn’t be more personal."
He adds that he is singing to “specific people” in these tracks, using ‘Heroin’ as an illustration. “It’s a song about addiction that balances sensuality and seriousness. Striking that mix of being deeply pained yet seductive is a fascinating and challenging feat.”
Kramar also believes that listeners contribute to a song's personal nature, particularly with Lana’s work, making the act of reinterpretation “exciting” for him. “By recording it and sharing it, I’m expressing my personal relationship with this song, much like everyone else does with their own.” He appreciates the opportunity to remind fans that he too is a “listener, with his own private relationships” to music.
“I believe LA significantly ties into both our works. Much of the criticism directed at Lana, her self-creation, and the beginning of her career often overlooks a key point: she identifies with these images or actors… She connects with a concept of Los Angeles…”
Kramar also connects with artists like Joanna Sternberg, Cameron Winter, Father John Misty, and Sufjan Stevens, drawn to their “great and powerful lyrics.” While discussing these artists, Kramar inevitably circles back to Lana Del Rey, praising her uniqueness. He states, “But Lana is one of a kind. She truly gets away with murder. Her music is both confessional and grand, simultaneously vast and intimate!”
In a recent social media post, Kramar stated, “The music is the prayer,” which we believe sums up his sentiments perfectly.
The ‘Living Legend’ EP is now available.
Words: Narzra Ahmed
Photo Credit: Morgan Brennan
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Loren Kramar’s latest EP, ‘Living Legend,’ is exquisite. Released recently, this project serves as a hauntingly beautiful and genuine testament to his commitment to