“Demons”, the final single from Luke Noa’s upcoming debut album Début, is a melancholic daydream that explores the quiet companionship of our inner demons. With only piano and guitar, the sparse arrangement lets Noa’s distinctive voice take center stage, unfolding a deeply emotional narrative. The accompanying video, featuring actress Anna-Lena Schwing, offers a bittersweet visual that perfectly echoes the song’s haunting beauty.
There’s something disarming in the stillness of it all — the way sadness hums just beneath the surface, never loud, but always present. Demons doesn’t offer resolution; instead, it leans into the weight we all carry, without judgment. “It’s not something we should fight,” Luke says. “It’s something we ride along to. And there’s a beauty in that – in letting go.” The video’s setting — a ferris wheel slowly turning against the backdrop of a cheerful funfair — feels symbolic of the song itself: soft, circular, and quietly collapsing inward. It’s a portrait of feeling too much in a world that keeps spinning, and the courage it takes to sit with it.
We spoke with Luke about the story behind Demons, the surreal experience of recording his debut album with one of his musical heroes, the inspiration he draws from quiet moments, and why sometimes the most personal songs are the ones that speak loudest to everyone.
As a playful extension of his artistic vision, Luke Noa collaborated with Better Things and illustrator Sayori Wada to design a pair of socks featuring a bold red heart and tiny angels and demons—available online and on tour.
header photo by Jakob Stolz
Hey Luke, I’m currently watching and listening to the video for your new release Demons. It’s such a beautiful song – both sonically and visually. It feels like the perfect track for right now, almost like an antidote to the hectic pace of everyday life. It’s calm, yet deeply melancholic. Tell us the story behind Demons – what is it about, and would you say it’s a very personal track for you?
Hi Sigi! First of all, thank you for these kinds words. I appreciate it so much and I love how you feel about Demons. That’s a quality I really love about this song; it simply makes you feel and draws you into this subjective world, no matter what it might be.
Demons was written late at night during a studio session a few years ago with my good friend and now Manager Tim Sullivan. We originally wrote it for another project of ours but it was never released. The song kept a special place in our hearts as we knew how powerful it’s simplistic vibe and message was. When it came to working on “Dèbut” we revisited Demons and it was an instant fit. For me this song is about hitting rock bottom; about giving in to the weight of the demons we all carry within us. It’s not something we should fight, it’s something we ride along to. And there’s a beauty in that – in letting go. I also think that the song raises the question whether a world without demons is even real.
The video is stunning too – I love how minimalistic it is, yet it instantly pulls you into the emotions and the story of the girl, even though one doesn´t really know the story.
Where was the video shot and how did the idea for it come about?
The video was shot at a funfair in Berlin. The concept was based on the idea of telling a deeply emotional and melancholic story in a setting designed exclusively to make people happy. This contrast felt extremely fitting for the song and its message. I then asked my very talented friend, actress Anna-Lena Schwing, if she could imagine crying on a ferris wheel and let us film it – she loved the concept straight away.4
“You’re always faced with challenges – no matter how successful you might be. And it’s not only about facing them but also to grow with them. And to trust the process.”
How long did it take to shoot, and what were the biggest challenges during production?
It took us about 2-3 hours. I’d say the biggest challenge was overcoming the cringe of buying ferris wheel tickets four times in a row, acting like we’re not shooting something lol
I think it also took some time for Anna-Lena to get into the vibe without being able to properly listen to the song (it was just playing on a phone next to her), so she had to cry while 2010 dance hit remixes where blasting around her. As I said before – she’s very talented.
Your debut album Début is dropping on May 30th. You recorded it together with Chris Maas – an incredibly renowned drummer known for his work with Sting, Mumford & Sons, and Maggie Rogers. For you, working with him was like a dream come true.
How did this connection come to life, and what’s the most important “lesson” you’ve taken away from working with Chris?
My manager was on tour with Matt Corby back in 2023 and Chris was drumming on that tour. They got along really well and Tim showed him some demos of mine. Apparently Chris really liked them. The rest is history – but to be honest I have no clue how Tim pulled that off. I’m so glad he did.
It was a true gift to be able to spend a week at the studio with Chris. Not only to watch him work but even more hanging out and getting to spend time with him. I think the most important lesson I’ve taken away is that you‘re always faced with challenges – no matter how successful you might be. And that it’s not only about facing them but also to grow with them. And to trust the process. Chris‘ Story – he‘s from tiny Luxembourg – is amazing. It took a lot of effort, discipline and patience for him to get to where he is today. As a guy coming from a small town in southern Germany I, myself, could really relate to his story. It gave me a lot of fuel and hope for my own path.
“When I collaborate with other artists, I really want their signature style to be visible.”
You also collaborated with the agency Better Things to design your own socks for the release. How much input did you have in the design by Sayori Wada?
When I collaborate with other artist I really want their signature style to be visible. I knew and loved Sayori’s work before asking her if she could design something for the project, so there wasn’t much input when it came to the look of the design. We did have quite a specific idea of a big red heart and little angels / demons being featured though.
Why did you choose the name Début for your first album?
Since 2018 I’ve released a total of four EP’s – so the release of a debut album has become a long awaited thing for me. When the moment actually came, the word “Début” felt simple, elegant and timeless. I like things to be that way.
A few years back, you said you like to write about specific situations or short time periods in your life that led to some kind of change. Is that still the case? And if so, what situations or changes shaped the songs on your debut?
Actually – though I still love to write that way – there is quite a wide range of origin stories on Début when it comes to the creation of the songs. As I mentioned earlier “Demons” was originally written for a different project; there’s another track called “New World” which is the first song I’m releasing that I haven’t written myself. But some of the tracks have been created in the good old Luke Noa fashion – influenced by very specific, real life events. “Wake Up” is about my last relationship, “Half A World Away” about travelling to New Zealand. “Do I Wanna?” is about the ever inspiring feeling of nostalgia.
If you had to pick one personal favorite track from the album – which one would it be, and why?
It’d have to be “Gracie”. I think I like it so much because it’s both simple and timeless, which – as you know – are my favourite qualities in art. The cherry on top is that I’m very satisfied with the production and all the performances on this track.
“Tuscany always puts me back into the feeling of being a child.”
You grew up in Switzerland – where are you based today?
I’m currently based in Berlin, Germany.
And I read that a trip to Tuscany really inspired your art. Could you tell us a bit more about that journey?
I wrote one of my favourite Songs – Roccastrada – in Tuscany a few years ago. The name of this song is also the name of a beautiful little town there. Tuscany always puts me back into the feeling of being a child. It used to be my families main vacation destination throughout my childhood.
What’s the biggest comfort zone you’ve stepped out of recently?
I know there’s usually really positive answers when it comes to stepping out of the comfort zone but to be completely honest with you: I’ve recently made a huge mistake and really hurt close friends of mine. Facing my guilt and truly learning from the mistakes I’ve made has been a very grounding experience and it certainly got me out of my comfort zone to not look away from, but completely face my guilt.
The most important thing in life is… peace
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