ADELAIDE, South Australia – In the thriving indie folk scene of Adelaide, a unique sound is emerging, carried across continents by the band DEAR Luna. Composed of five multidisciplinary artists – Gale Dy, Claire Pasion, Ivan Padilla, Camille Asuncion, and Kissey Gulle – this Filipino-Australian ensemble is captivating audiences with their deeply personal storytelling and melodic harmonies, recently showcased in their debut single EP, Dance.
What makes DEAR Luna’s journey particularly compelling is their origin story. Far from being a group formed in traditional music circles, these five talented individuals first connected as visual artists through the USAP Collective. Through their shared creative spirit within this community, they discovered a collective passion for music – a discovery that would ultimately lead to the birth of DEAR Luna.
Their freshly released EP, Dance, composed by the band’s guitarist Ivan Padilla, reflects their shared experiences as Filipino artists navigating life in a new country. Gale Dy, lead vocalist and the band’s convener, articulates the heart of their music. “What inspires our original songwriting and why we decided to release our first EP here in Australia is our experience as Filipino artists living in a new country,” Dy shared in a recent interview.
The feeling of being “in between” is a central theme in their compositions. “A lot of our songs come from the feeling of being in between two worlds,” Dy explained. “We bring with us the stories and sounds from back home, but we’re also shaped by everything we’ve gone through since moving here.” This duality imbues their music with a rich tapestry of cultural influences, blending the familiar echoes of their homeland with new perspectives gained from their Australian journey.
Initially, moving to Australia presented its own set of challenges, including a sense of displacement. However, music quickly became their anchor. “We may [have] felt different upon moving [to] Australia, but music defined us [and showed] that we belong here because people started catching up with our music,” Dy shared, highlighting the unifying power of their artistry.
For DEAR Luna, songwriting is a therapeutic process. It’s a way to navigate and articulate the complex emotions that come with migration—homesickness, personal growth, and the ongoing quest for identity. “Writing music became a way for us to process all that like homesickness, growth, finding our own identity and to connect with others who might feel the same,” Dy stated.
The Dance EP is a testament to this raw honesty. “This EP is really personal. It’s a combination of memories, emotions and our shared lives as creatives trying to make space for our voices here,” Dy emphasized. It’s also a powerful message of resilience and creative continuity, proving that distance from home doesn’t diminish the capacity for meaningful creation. “It’s also our way of showing that even when you’re far from home, you can still create something meaningful and personal,” she added.
Ultimately, for the artists of DEAR Luna, making music together is more than just a creative pursuit—it’s a profound act of homecoming. “Creating music as DEAR Luna feels like coming home. It’s a safe space where we go back to our roots, share our stories, and stay grounded in who we are.”
As they continue to share their distinctive blend of indie folk with Adelaide and beyond, DEAR Luna is not just making waves. They are building bridges through song, inviting listeners to connect with their universal tales of belonging and transformation.
Experience DEAR Luna’s music:
Their debut single EP, Dance and other songs are now live and available on major streaming platforms.
You can find Dance on Spotify.
Their music is also available on Apple Music and YouTube. Search for “DEAR Luna band” on your preferred platform to explore their original compositions.
