About
When I wrote “Not Ready” I was scared of how much my depression was taking me to really dark places and affecting my life. Up until then I had pushed through while getting more and more numb, pretending that as long as I can keep functioning no one needed to know about what was going on under the surface. So this moment was a turning point when I took the decision to fight, to reach out for help. I was not ready to lose myself to this, I needed support to make it to the other side.
It’s an intense song for sure, I sang it many times after writing it looping the bridge till my voice was broken by tears. But I don’t think it’s just a sad song, because for me it captured the moment I decided I’d rather go through the pain of healing than giving up on ever getting better. It's a cry for help and it gets messy, it gets real, and that's ok. I hope this one can reach those that might be going through something similar and remind them that they are not alone and worthy of love and support.
When it came to choosing this song for the album, I was not sure if it’s a good song or if just loved it so much because I really needed to write it at the time. But when I sent it to Dominic Romano, my wonderful producer, he immediately had a vision for it and reaffirmed that it’s objectively a good song. I really love the way he built the track and I’m also super grateful for the incredible drums Thomas LaVine added to the song. He’s one of my favourite indie artists and a dear friend and his drum sound was exactly what the song needed - if you listen closely you’ll here a little vocal cameo from him too. I love how this song has grown since I wrote it, from a really raw and cathartic song into a powerful declaration.
Lyrics
I was never the one to give up
Never a fan of a fight
I was never the one to show up
At your door in the dead of night
I don’t know where I should draw the line
Don’t let me go not sure if I’ll make it this time
I’m thinking to much
About the end of the story
I’m losing touch
It’s coming for me
And I’m not ready
I’m not ready
Can someone save me from myself?
I was never the one to be violent
They called me kind
But now that my heart’s gone silent
There’s a flood on my mind
I don’t know if it’s real or just a sign
Let me go, maybe I’ll be fine
I’m thinking to much
About the end of the story
I’m losing touch
It’s coming for me
And I’m not ready
I’m not ready
Can someone save me from myself?
How do I end this pain without ending myself?
All that I do is in vain if I don’t ask for help
How do I end this pain without ending myself?
All that I do is in vain if I don’t ask for help
I’m too afraid, too afraid
How do I end this pain without ending myself?
I’m too afraid, too afraid
All that I do is in vain if I don’t ask for help
I’m too afraid, too afraid
I’m thinking to much
About the end of the story
I’m losing touch
It’s coming for me
And I’m not ready
I’m not ready
Can someone save me from myself?
What the press says:
“From the first note, "Not Ready" captivates with its stunning combination of beautiful plucking and soft, driving drums. The song exudes a folky warmth, drawing listeners into its intimate embrace. Keller's vocals, imbued with a haunting quality, add depth and emotion to the already poignant lyrics.”
Unheard Gems
“An intercontinental piece produced by US-based Dominic Romano, ‘Not Ready’ brings kaleidoscopic intensity to the simplicity of folk music. A guitar-driven single, there is a soothing nature to the folk song; however, Thomas LaVine’s underlying drums bring an edginess to the soft tone – as if a heart pulsating beneath a mystical soul. Keller’s obscure vocals always remind me of a mystical siren running through a dark forest. Always a fantastical whisper of song, but simultaneously a bold and commanding rush of dulcet vocals; Keller showcases the power of a whisper in ‘Not Ready’.”
Other Side Reviews
“Luna Keller strikes gold on her convincing new single Not Ready. A highlight in a string of recent thematic releases, Not Ready represents Chapter VI of her Oceans Inside of Me project, an album paired with a video series that spans a realm of complicated emotions with metaphorically rich imagery.
The Wild Is Calling
True to form, Not Ready is beautifully produced and shines her vocal talents in a gorgeous light. Beyond the collective project, it’s also a fine stand alone single with a hypnotic hook that grabs you for a second listen. “
“Sus tonos son delicados, una conexión de emociones que sabrán hacerse sentir en tu estado de ánimo con su interpretación. Es un agradable viaje musical.
En cuanto al clip es una producción que se lleva nuestros aplausos, supieron combinar el material audiovisual de manera exquisita, le damos nuestras cinco estrellas.”
Zone Nights
“Lagu ini menawarkan suara yang jujur dan mentah tentang perjuangan kesehatan mental, dengan vokal khas yang membawa lirik yang penuh perenungan dan pertanyaan tentang bagaimana mengakhiri rasa sakit tanpa mengakhiri diri sendiri menunjukkan kedalaman introspeksi Keller.”
Parapop
With absolutely beautiful and wonderfully captivating soundscape, she lets her voice come alive and pull us in from the moment we press play. She also embraces the lyrics fully, making sure the feelings and emotions that are part of them resonate with all who listen from start to end in a natural and palpable fashion.
Wolf in a suit
"É uma canção emocionalmente carregada, é certo, mas com uma energia gritante e raios de luz que não nos deixam ir abaixo. A melodia chega-nos fluída, crescente, mais suaves nos versos e mais vibrante por alturas do refrão, cheia de harmonias vivas e de acordes calorosos. Confesso que me rendi à progressão das linhas de guitarra, dedilhadas e luminosas, que, acompanhadas por banjo e sintetizadores, resultam num ambiente cativante."
Phonograph me
“Luna Keller gives a refreshing voice to the Indie-folk music scene. With her newest release, “Not Ready”, she really focuses on the lyrical elements that really tie a story together. She does so with a slow and steady instrumental arrangement of guitars alongside a soft depiction of vocals.
You can really feel the passion present within her vocal range and the rawness in between her transition of words. You can tell she is really pouring herself into telling this personal story through sound.”
Music and Fashion Blog
“A cantora Luna Keller acalenta a cena da música folk ao apresentar seu novo single “Not Ready”, uma canção delicada e acolhedora. O single foi lançado na última quinta-feira (28), e já se encontra disponível nas principais plataformas digitais de música. Numa performance doce e especial, a artista expressa sua arte de um jeito encantador, causando ao ouvinte um impacto muito positivo. A voz de Luna Keller floresce em cada nota e deixa uma sensação de aconchego. Não deixe de apreciar o single “Not Ready” e conhecer mais do trabalho da artista, que é um achado no meio musical.”
Roadie Music
“Not Ready dares to dive deeper and confront life’s harsh truths without flinching. It’s a rallying cry for those battling their own demons. Luna Keller’s willingness to confront her struggles with such unflinching honesty is a profound artistic statement a gift from an artist who has walked through the valley of darkness and emerged with insights to share”
Neon Music
“Esta canción nos recibe con una combinación íntima entre una guitarra brillante y una voz profunda la cual nos va guiando a través de una narrativa llena de emociones, pero sobretodo empatía, conforme avanza la canción en la base rítmica suma un dinamismo profundo e interesante a la narrativa de la canción, mientras que una atmósfera discreta pero expansiva hace que las emociones a su vez crezcan y sean transmitidas de forma natural a los oídos y corazones de los oyentes.”
R+
“I am a fan of Luna Keller's enchanting vocals and ethereal-like harmonies that effortlessly create such a warm, comforting atmosphere that allows for her storytelling to soar. You can clearly feel the emotion pouring from her delivery, instantly connecting us to her powerful declaration of the will to fight and live through her mental health battles. A relatable storytelling that is enhanced by a dynamic production that pairs her gorgeous vocals with killer drums (played by Thomas LaVine) seamlessly paired with cool guitar plucks and echoing harmonies.”
Caesar Live N Loud
“Inner battles, that's the subject of this concept album that classifies in chronological order the stages one may go through when our mind and body are no longer in agreement. "Not Ready" is, one might say, the chapter where everything changes. And the music video illustrates very well this logical sequence of stages, where we can see Luna chained by ropes to trees in the middle of the forest, fighting with this certain death standing in front of her.
Fortunately, whether in this very realistic illustration or in real life, Luna survives and ultimately escapes her grim fate. And we are indeed glad that this is the case so she can now tell us this incredible story, with the talent we know she has.
Do I still need to remind you of the precision with which Luna works? Whether visually or musically, her talent is pushed to the extreme, starting with the writing, and that haunting line: "How do I end this pain without ending myself?"
Indie Music Center
“Her latest is titled Not Ready and marks a turning point in the album’s journey, moving from drowning in depression and mental health struggles to finding the will to fight, and reaching out for support. In the track, Luna captures both the light and the dark of the moment beautifully, and the emotion comes through strongly in its delicate, nuanced and slow-building instrumental, and her ever-expressive vocals.”
York Calling
“Ich liebe es, auf welche kreative Art und Weise die in Köln beheimatete Singer-Songwriterin Luna Keller ihre Artworks und Musik kreiert. Nach einigen Vorstellungen möchten wir auch ihr heute erschienenes Werk ‘Not Ready’ hier bzw. auf unserer Playlist mit euch teilen. Eine wunderbare Folk Produktion mit wahrhaftig schönen Melodien sowie einer unverkennbaren Stimme im Fokus.”
Berlin On air
“She’s made it very easy to lose yourself within her sound. Not only is the subject matter deeply relatable, but Keller’s managed to make her music sound as though you’re having a private conversation with someone who trusts you completely with the entire contents of their heart. And as she reaches into her falsetto for the refrain, it is truly enough to bring you to tears, particularly if you, too, have traversed the darkness of mental/ emotional desolation.”
Up To Hear
Discover the details!
Available as high quality WAV download and CD
If you are listening through a great audio system, then this is for you! My music is recorded and mastered to the highest level to please the ears of HiFi enthusiasts.
For a HiFi experience you will find an uncompressed version in CD quality on Bandcamp or a CD with Booklet in my online shop as part of my album 'Ocean Inside Of Me'.
Credits
Luna Keller - Vocals
Produced and Mixed by Dominic Romano
Mastered by Sam Moses
Dominic Romano - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Banjo, Synths, Addtl Vocals
Thomas LaVine - Drums