Meet Lucas Cooper | Leading Frontman of Lost in the Forest & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucas Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Littleton, Colorado–about thirty minutes outside of Denver, and twenty-five from the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Being from the Denver area, I’ve been raised by my parents to love music since I was born. My parents had many friends that were musicians in bands, and that definitely left a lasting effect of wanting to be up on the stage and perform songs that I write to a room of people. Music has always been a passion of mine and has always been the one thing that has stuck with me through every point of my life, and I’ve always wanted to create something that others can feel that same exact feeling.
My parents always raised me to reach for my dreams and do what I need to do to achieve them. They’ve supported me in purchasing my many pieces of equipment, as well as gifting me a few–notably my first bass guitar as well as my first keyboard. Having such a supportive family has definitely helped drive my ambitions to write and perform.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started Lost in the Forest as an idea back in 2019 when I was still fresh to learning about songwriting and producing the music. Though it was not pretty, the music from the beginning is what helped shaped the sound and ideas that my music today demonstrates a lot clearer and in much higher quality. Unlike others that I’ve seen starting out on the scene, I focus heavily on the production trying to go for a sound that not only sounds professional, but is intriguing to the ear. I love to experiment with different sounds, blending different genres into each other to come out with a completely different sound. One of the songs that demonstrates this the best is off of our debut album ‘REST’, it’s titled ‘stasis’ and it’s about halfway through the record. I experimented with quite a few versions with different styles of synths and drums, as well as some different vocal ideas before landing on the version that exists officially and it’s one that I’m most proud of.
To get to the point of where I am today with releasing new music as well as producing it all was a long journey of trial and error. I learned a lot from listening to producers that I follow online explaining what techniques may or may not work, as well as just trying different things out that I haven’t seen many try before. Overtime I’ve learned that what matters most at the end of the day is that if the audience likes the song and wants to show it to others then I did my job correctly. I am quite the perfectionist when it comes to the production value of my music, but sometimes I have to remember to just take a step back and think of it in an average listeners’ shoes.
This band is something that I put my blood, sweat, and tears–all literal–into. Being able to share that music that myself and Jake create into the world and hearing people constantly telling us that they showed their friends, or their coworkers, or even just had the songs on repeat has had an impact that I cannot wait to see continue to grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is such a tough question just because Colorado has so much versatility! Depending on the time of year, I would have a few different areas to bring someone out to. I love being outdoors–seeing the stars and walking through the wilderness–so I’d probably take them up into the mountains. Deer Creek Canyon is a really easy location to go hike and see some pretty spots if someone didn’t want to go very far, but I even love places like Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs. On the contrary, if it’s the holiday season then we are absolutely heading Downtown Denver to see all of the decorations. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved seeing Christmas lights and stores decorating all festive throughout the season so it’d be something cool to go walk around to see everything. If we’re going to any shows, I’d bring them to a show at the Ogden Theatre–one of my favorite venues–or to a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, obviously. After a show downtown, one of my favorite stops is hitting up In-N-Out Burger to get a burger and fries, plus a milkshake!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to my family for always supporting me, my friends for listening and promoting our music, the other half of my band: Jake Miltenberger, and last but not least the band that’s had the most influence on my work: Twenty One Pilots. Without these people, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

Website: https://lostintheforest.org

Instagram: instagram.com/lostintheforestband , instagram.com/lucasjcooper

Twitter: https://x.com/wearelitf

Facebook: https://facebook.com/lostintheforestband

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@lostintheforestband

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0LZQAFvC7nGs5O5nqVcvNu?si=AhMeElzlQX62fcLE-oaLgQ

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lost-in-the-forest/1484047015

Image Credits
Angel Wings Photo: Andrew Moreno

Jake Miltenberger

Piano photo: Sarah Cooper