Cavetown on the Creation of the This Is Home Project and New Album ‘worm food’
Photo by Kane Layland
[UNPUBLISHED:] I am so stoked to get to chat with you about your new album worm food, and I want to give you a major congratulations on this beautiful body of work. How are you feeling now that worm food is out?
[CAVETOWN:] Thanks so much! I feel great, probably the best I've felt about an album release in a long time. It's been especially nice getting to do a big release while on tour because I'm surrounded by my beautiful friends who have been gassing me up about it all week.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a favorite song off of the project?
[CAVETOWN:] My favourite changes day to day and depending what mood I'm in! I think “a kind thing to do” definitely stands out as a super special one. From the initial writing process with Vic in San Diego to showing my girlfriend a rough mix of it near its completion it's been a real thrill to make.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I saw that you produced worm food at your home studio, and I can only imagine the comfort of making music at home. What was your ideal day in the studio like for this album?
[CAVETOWN:] I always have to wait for inspiration to strike, which can take its damn time sometimes. So an ideal day starts with me waking up feeling already motivated with ideas I'm excited to try out. Every now and again I get a day like that where I'm just in the zone from start to finish - I'll work on a song to its completion until like 3am, and leave the studio feeling super excited to show it to my friends and family.
Photo by Kane Layland
[UNPUBLISHED:] Was the production of this album different from your previous albums?
[CAVETOWN:] I think the production process of this one is the most similar to how I would work back when I first started, which has contributed to it being such a positive experience. I've of course upgraded my gear since then and become more proficient in my software and instruments. As far as production style, it's hard for me to objectively recognise how much it changes from album to album. I've definitely made an effort with this one to dip my toes into some pop punky sounds, hyperpop and video game music.
[UNPUBLISHED:] If you could place the listener in any setting to experience worm food for the first time, what would that ideal listening experience look like?
[CAVETOWN:] I always enjoy music best when I'm travelling. It's a good place to really zone out. On train journeys and bike rides are my favourite places! I think the perfect place for me if I was listening for the first time would be with my noise cancelling headphones on a nice smooth fast train, no other passengers, raining lightly outside as the sun is setting.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I specifically connected with the song “heart attack,” which discusses self-doubt through a distinctly upbeat lens. Can you tell me more about what this track means for you?
[CAVETOWN:] It's a song about my experience with imposter syndrome, specifically inspired by some overwhelming show experiences I had on tour earlier this year. I've learnt how to put on a brave face on stage as my responsibilities to the audience have grown, and usually I can keep up that confident character for the couple hours I have to, but sometimes it just gets too much.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Within worm food there are some notable features with Vic Fuentes, beabadoobee, and chloe moriondo. Do you think these three changed the direction of their tracks in any way, whether sonically or lyrically?
[CAVETOWN:] For “fall in love with a girl” and “grey space,” I was reminded of bea and chloe by the vibe of the songs as I was working, so that prompted me to reach out and see if they would be interested in being a part of them! Those songs just made sense to me with their voices and writing styles, so I figured it would come naturally for them to slot their verses in. The process was a bit different with Vic on “a kind thing to do”. We started the song together and so I think the whole thing is peppered with Pierce The Veil inspired cadences and energies.
Photo by Kane Layland
[UNPUBLISHED:] The music video for “1994” features a visual dreamscape as you fly down to earth on a floral meteor to meet your masked band in the desert. Can you tell me more behind the vision and storyline of this video?
[CAVETOWN:] It's inspired by The Little Prince which is a sweet children's story I read as a kid. It's essentially about a boy on a tiny planet who's trying to reject the idea of growing up, and he meets a few friends as he hops between planets who help him on his journey. It worked really nicely with the feeling of the song.. and I also just really wanted to shoot a video in the desert.
[UNPUBLISHED:] The release of worm food also brings about your brand new This Is Home Project to benefit various charities for LGBTQ youth. How did This Is Home come to exist, and what is your long-term goal for the project?
[CAVETOWN:] The This is Home Project is an extension of what I've been doing for a long time. It's always been a no-brainer to contribute to charities which matter to me as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and I'm hoping that giving those efforts a more concrete home in TIHP will help me to make even more of a difference to others who need that support. When I look at the kids who come to my shows, I see my younger self in them. I see that need for community and acceptance, and I know what a difference it makes to your life to have access to health care, mental health resources, and to be growing up in a safe place. I've done my best to show my community that I care about them, and TIHP will be a way for me to actually show up and make a bigger difference by working more closely with charities and donating to LGBTQ+ individuals in need.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Looking back on your career thus far, is there any advice you wish you had been given when you were first starting out?
[CAVETOWN:] It took my team and I a few years to figure out the right ratio of how much I should be on the road versus home versus making music. I'd tell myself to go slower and that things will be okay, that I know myself best. also to speak up more when unsure or uncomfortable about a decision being made and to trust that the people around me would hear me and care.
