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Episode Summary
In this engaging episode of The Sound Trader podcast, host Graham interviews Gabrielle (@Luna_Trades_), a futures trader and YouTube live streamer who brings a unique musical perspective to day trading. With a background playing in bands and a studio full of musical instruments behind his trading setup, Luna represents the perfect intersection of music and markets.
Luna reveals how he uses PriceSquawk’s audio alerts to read the tape on ES and NQ futures, filtering for large orders while listening to what he describes as the “symphony” of market close activity. Throughout the episode, he shares his custom-built Trade Timers tool that provides audio alerts for candle closes and news events, explores fascinating concepts like gamifying trading, and discusses his transparent journey of learning futures trading while live streaming daily across 22 prop firm accounts.
For traders interested in innovative approaches to market analysis, Luna provides insights into how pattern recognition through multiple senses can enhance trading performance. We discuss creative ideas such as turning the DOM into a Space Invaders game and alternative musical representations of the market.
Key Highlights
- Luna’s unique PriceSquawk setup filtering market orders by size with different voice alerts for ES and NQ futures
- How he describes market close activity as a “symphony” that enhances his trading awareness
- Development of Trade Timers tool for custom audio alerts on candle closes and news events
- Eight-month journey of daily live streaming while learning futures trading on YouTube
- Trading across 22 funded prop firm accounts and risk management strategies
- Musical approach to trading including ambient background sounds and BPM considerations
- Creative concepts for gamifying trading and using visual indicators tied to market data
- Listening to PriceSquawk alongside Bookmap for comprehensive order flow analysis
Chapters
Introduction (02:34 – 03:46) Graham introduces Luna Trades, discussing his musical instruments and background playing in bands.
PriceSquawk Setup & Daily Usage (04:09 – 06:50) Luna explains his simple yet effective PriceSquawk configuration for filtering market orders and how it’s become essential to his trading.
Trade Timers Tool Development (07:31 – 11:57) Discussion of Luna’s custom-built timer tool for candle closes, news alerts, and trading organization.
Live Streaming Journey & Transparency (15:06 – 19:02) Luna shares insights from eight months of daily live streaming and building a trading community on YouTube.
Musical Philosophy in Trading (19:17 – 22:43) Exploration of how background music, BPM, and ambient sounds affect trading performance and flow state.
Advanced Audio Concepts (22:43 – 25:25) Discussion of linking market indicators to visual and audio elements, including webhooks and background color changes.
Pattern Recognition & Order Flow (25:25 – 29:22) Luna explains how combining PriceSquawk audio with Bookmap visual data enhances his pattern recognition abilities.
Gamification Ideas (33:53 – 40:00) Creative concepts for turning trading into games, from Candy Crush-style markets to Space Invaders DOM interfaces.
Prop Firm Strategy (40:43 – 42:21) Luna’s approach to trading across 22 funded accounts and risk distribution strategies.
Screen Time & Professional Development (42:21 – 45:08) Discussion of the importance of consistent market exposure and professional trading habits.
Sound Design Philosophy (45:38 – 49:38) Luna’s suggestions for ambient trading sounds and the balance between alerting and soothing audio elements.
The Market Symphony (49:49 – 50:48) Luna’s powerful description of listening to the “symphony” of market close activity and how it enhances his trading experience.
Quotes from the Episode
“I’ve gotten used to it actually sounds naked when it sounds empty when I don’t have that on. It’s not the same looking at the chart isn’t the same without that [sound].”
“There’s something so special about listening to the symphony of sounds coming from my squawk… Sometimes I just listen to, I’m not in a trade and there’s something about it that is so amazing.”
“All the trading is pattern recognition, right? So I think that having tools like the price squawk and the audio could definitely increase that pattern recognition.”
“Sometimes I just listen to, I’m not in a trade and there’s something about it that is so amazing. And I want to show that to other traders sometimes. I’m like, you just need to listen to this. Like, have you ever just listened to the market?”
Resources Mentioned
Luna Trades YouTube Channel – Daily live streaming of futures trading with transparency and community focus
Trade Timers – Luna’s custom tool for candle close alerts and trading timers at tradetimers.com
PriceSquawk Community Patches – Luna’s ES and NQ market order configurations available in the platform
Luna Trades Crypto – Secondary YouTube channel for cryptocurrency content
Bookmap – Order flow visualization tool used in conjunction with PriceSquawk
Multiple Prop Firms – TopStep, Apex, Tradeify, TopOne Futures, TakeProfit Trader [checkout Luna’s channel for links]
About Our Guest
Gabrielle (known online as Luna Trades) is a futures trader and YouTube live streamer who brings a unique musical perspective to day trading. With a background playing in bands and a studio full of musical instruments, Luna represents the intersection of music and markets. He has been live streaming his trading journey daily for eight months, building a transparent community while learning futures trading across 22 prop firm accounts. Luna has developed custom tools including Trade Timers and uses innovative approaches to combine audio, visual, and technological elements in his trading process.
Connect With Us
For more episodes of The Sound Trader podcast and to learn more about market sonification tools, visit pricesquawk.com/podcast or try out the app at app.pricesquawk.com
Follow Luna Trades:
- YouTube: Luna Trades YouTube Channel
- YouTube: Luna Trades Crypto
- Twitter: @Luna_Trades_
The Sound Trader podcast explores how traders at all stages of their journey—from beginners to seasoned professionals—are using audio and other sensory tools to navigate the complex and dynamic world of financial markets. Each episode features unique perspectives on how incorporating audio signals can enhance trading performance, reduce mental fatigue, and identify market patterns that might otherwise be missed through visual analysis alone.