Lemon Power Interview

Lemon Power are the kind of band that make you smile before you even know why. There’s something instantly real about them, the mix of humour, heart, and that free-spirited energy that runs through everything they do. Born from a solo project that grew into a full band, they’ve become known for their cinematic sound and their love of mixing things up. I caught up with Sere Trouble and Ben Ales to talk about where the name came from, how it all started, and what keeps their music so alive.

Where does the name Lemon Power come from? Can you share the story behind creating both the name and the band?

Sere Trouble: In Italian, lemon has a double meaning - the citrus fruit but it also means making out. So we started playing with that, different word combos, till a friend shouted Lemon Power! And it stuck.

The band came to be, naturally, organically. I was playing as a solo act, Sere Trouble, then friends kept wanting to join and play so we became two, and then three, and then four, and then five and so it really made sense to change name and for it to be a band project instead of a solo project.

When you created your newest single, “I’m An Animal”, what instrument, sound, or production trick pushed your creativity furthest on that track?

We recorded I’m an Animal at Konk Studios, with Matt Jaggar. We were fixated on giving the Let’s burn this city... a ceremonial feel, around a fire, summoning spirits.

We couldn’t get the feel we wanted so, our producer Matt took us upstairs and we entered Miles C James’ amazing studio, full of percussive instruments we’d never seen before. It was incredible, we were like kids in a candy shop. We experimented with the different sounds and landed on the bridge you hear now, layering the percussion.

We joked because it felt like we’d entered a video game, a new level. It was like “Ok, you call yourselves a genre fluid band, let’s go!”.

You call yourselves a “genre-fluid” band. If you had to invent a brand-new genre name that perfectly describes Lemon Power, what would it be and why?

Sere Trouble: Spaghetti Western Indie Rock.

Spaghetti, because we’re originally from Italy and Western because we are outlaws and cowboys. (laugh) We've always joked that this is our genre but to be honest it works because it brings in the cinematic aspect of our music, the soundscapes, lyrical plot twists and evolutions - just like in a movie.

Reviewers often describe your songs as “cinematic.” If Lemon Power’s music were the soundtrack to a film, what kind of movie would it be, and who’s starring in it?

Ben Ales: For me, it would be something like Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain. It is not a movie to be "understood" in an intellectual sense, but to be experienced.

Sere Trouble: Following on from the previous question, it has to be The Good, The Bad and The Ugly by Sergio Leone.

What has been the most difficult obstacle in staying true to your musical vision?

Sere Trouble: Nowadays you can’t just be a musician, you need to be a coordinator, a marketing guru, a social media content maker, etc. This has really got nothing to do with music.

So the ability to constantly decouple why you play and create vs. the apparatus around it is the only way to maintain your drive, passion, and creativity.

Following on from that, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received, or would give, that could help other musicians looking to grow?

Ben Ales: In English you say that you play music which is the same verb used for games, so don't be scared of experimenting and changing. Always have fun!

Being part of London’s indie circuit, what do you think makes your shows stand out compared to other rising bands on the scene?

Sere Trouble: I know we mention our Italian roots a lot, but I’ve lived here for 15 years - a proud Britalian - and I love the grassroots music scene in London, I think it’s really special.

We put a lot of attention into how we design each show. We like to take the crowd on a journey with us, playing with the energy in the room, exploring different soundscapes which keeps us excited as a band.

We like to keep the stage performance alive and theatrical without compromising us being a live band, playing live music - I think that’s what makes us memorable.

We love what we do and are serious about our love for music and playing - but in reality, no one should take life too seriously. We are here to play and have a good time while we’re doing it.

Looking ahead, where do you see Lemon Power in the next 5 years, and what’s immediately on the horizon?

Lots of gigs and new music. More short-term we are working on the release of our new single Tanger. We were born to play festivals, let’s be honest - so bookers, if you see this, call us.

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By the REAL Editorial Team | Oct 15, 2025