Lana Crow: "Magic is always around us if we just stop fighting for control"

Lana Crow is a British indie pop artist born in Kazakhstan who turns raw emotion into bright, hook-driven songs. Her music reflects a personal journey shaped by early musical training, unexpected detours, and a powerful return to her artistry. Blending introspection with dancefloor energy, she writes about healing, truth, and self-liberation with a voice that is both vulnerable and strong. Drawing from indie pop, synth-pop, and alt-rock influences, Lana creates cinematic soundscapes and confessional songs for anyone rebuilding themselves or searching for their own path.

"In Spirit" has such an intimate and emotional feel. What experiences or moments shaped this song for you personally?

Well, the hook—that 'Eeeeeooooo' melody—actually came to me in a dream last summer. It was the only part of the song I remembered when I woke up, and usually, when I dream up a tune, I don't ignore it—even if the lyrics don't make sense. I went to wake my kids up that morning and sang it to them. They loved it, and I told them, 'I’m going to write a beachy song to dance to on a summer night.' That was the spark.

I don’t think I would have actually followed through with it if Tristan Boston hadn't reached out late last autumn. He offered me production rates that made it possible for me to move forward, so I sat down at the keyboard. To me, that dream melody sounded elusive and ethereal, which led me to the first line: 'Do you believe in magic?' From there, the song and the melody grew into something much deeper—it became about how magic is always around us if we just stop fighting for control.

Emotionally, 'In Spirit' was shaped by those moments where you fight tooth and nail for a goal, only to see it slip further away. I’ve realized that when the ego gets in the way, we often create our own obstacles. It takes a certain skill to let go when you feel like you’re losing your mind trying to get somewhere. This song is an invitation to hand over the reins to that wiser, higher part of yourself that simply knows better.

How does "In Spirit" show your growth as an artist since Live It and your earlier work?

My source of inspiration has changed fundamentally. Every song I write starts with an intention, but those intentions have shifted dramatically. Previously, I was inspired by existing sounds. For example, I wrote 'Tale of the Sea' because I loved the aesthetic of 'Somebody Else' by The 1975, so I asked my producer to match that vibe. Similarly, 'No Better Way' was modeled after Duran Duran’s 'Ordinary World,' and with 'Live It,' I was determined to capture the energy of 'Fireflies' by Owl City. Back then, I had a very rigid idea of the final product; my only concern was whether the producer could get close enough to the reference I had in mind.

Now, the dynamics have changed. With my latest songs, 'In Spirit' and 'So Done,' I honestly had no idea what they should sound like. My intention shifted away from matching a specific production and toward the message I wanted to send. This is uncharted territory for me, and it’s actually quite scary. When I send a keyboard demo to my producer now, I don’t have a fixed vision of the end result. I feel less 'in control' because the production now evolves organically around the lyrics and the melody, rather than a pre-determined reference track. I think that’s a good thing for my growth; it allows the song to dictate its own identity.

Your music often explores themes of healing and self-liberation. How did you convey those emotions in just this single track?

The title of the track was inspired by the SpiritMind program by Jeffrey Allen and his wife, Hisami. They speak about how every human has two minds: the material mind and the spirit mind. The spirit mind is that wiser part of us that we tend not to use as much; it is essentially what makes us 'lucky.'

In the lyrics, I personify this spirit as a force that 'haunts' or 'evades' you specifically when you try to crave control. Finding luck starts with an appreciation of what you already have, so it’s not about chasing or fighting; it’s about observing life and having those 'aha' moments. I know from my own experience that we are surrounded by clues—they are everywhere—but when we are in 'fight mode,' we rarely listen. I wanted the song to be an invitation to 'forget the noise,' stop the fight, and finally see the magic that has been there all along.

The song blends indie pop, synth-pop, and alt-rock elements. Were there any new or unexpected musical directions you experimented with for "In Spirit"?

I really wasn't sure about the sound of this one at first. The initial idea was to write a chill song that would invite some movement, but not necessarily a full dance track. As I started expanding the story and the melody from that 'Eeeeooo' starting point, things actually became more confusing for me on the production side. As I mentioned earlier, I used to be very opinionated when it comes to reference tracks, but this song was leaning toward a proper dance style that I haven’t really explored before. Consequently, when I sent the demo to Tristan, I was at a loss as to what the final sound should be.

Tristan heard the demo and felt that a dance track was what it needed to be. To be honest, it is new territory for me, but I am happy to explore it; we should never limit ourselves just to conform to some made-up standards. It also concludes my latest album perfectly, as the project describes the human journey toward living 'In Spirit.' I strongly believe that learning to live in this unhindered, joyful state is our ultimate purpose in life.

When fans listen to "In Spirit", what feeling or message do you hope they take away?

I hope they 'lose themselves,' which in essence means shedding the weight of the ego and embracing who they were born to be.

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