JG: I’ve read about the kaleidoscope of emotion that’s gone into the album, especially through the many songs featuring your own vocals, and the beautiful array of collaborators, and energies that you’ve brought on board. What is it that you most hope the album conveys?
AC: I hope it just conveys a sense of community really. The album focuses around this kind of nostalgia and longing that I think is super culturally pervasive at the moment, so I hope people can feel some familiarity or camaraderie in the music. But hopefully in a way that feels current and relevant.
JG: Who and what would you say most influences you?
AC: I just love people who make art. It’s the most bizarre human experience to want to create and express and commentate I think. To have some instinct to want to put our experiences into words and pictures and music is so strange but so natural. I really just respect the shit out of anybody who’s brave enough to do that for the right reasons.
JG: Rawness is such a perfect word when we talk about feelings. It brings about this notion of getting to the nitty gritty, of unveiling the truth. We’re all in need of a good cry, and a whole lot of truth-telling these days. Songs like ‘Deal Wiv It’ and ‘No Hope Generation’ especially touch upon these themes. Which truths is R.Y.C speaking to? Who is R.Y.C. singing for?
AC: I think just the truth that we need to communicate more and share more. We’re all socially experiencing this mad world together, but it feels quite isolated at the moment. The way we learn about the world is so amalgamated right now. Everything is a ‘feed’ of different sources, different personal opinions, different conclusions and semantics. It’s so anxious! If we can find some escape and joy through nostalgia and shared memory then I think that’s something to have as a little victory in what can feel like a cruel world.
JG: Between climate crises, right wing governments, and social media overload, where do you go to escape?
AC: Familiarity is my vice. Old friends, old music, familiar films, places. It might have an unhealthy aspect of wallowing to it but I think if you can teach yourself about what makes you happy that can be helpful for looking after yourself.
JG: Where could we find you on a Saturday night? And what playlist would be bumping in the background?
AC: Probably in my living room with a good album playing. Yves Tumour, Big Thief, something like that. If I’m out it’s most likely to see a band I really love or a friend putting on a night or something. I’m going to see Black Country New Road next week, can’t wait for that.