Cavetown Chats “Little Vice,” Life, and Finding Joy Down Under

HAPPY: What are you up to today?

Cavetown: Me and my tour crew just arrived in Sydney for our show at UNSW! We had an early morning flight, so I just took like a 3-hour nap and now I’m waiting for soundcheck time.

HAPPY: Tell us a little about where you live, and what you love about it?

Cavetown: Most of the time I live in Cambridge in the UK with my girlfriend and my cat Juno :). We live in a quiet neighbourhood and it’s super cozy, especially during the winter.

I love decorating our house and making it more and more snug. It’s a great place to come back to after a long busy tour or a stretch of travelling.

It’s a space in which I can both get super lazy and super creative in my garage studio space, which is where I record and produce all my music.

I also have a spot in New York where I live close to some of my buddies from tour!

HAPPY: Congrats on your new EP “Little Vice.” Can you tell us about the writing/creative process behind it?

Cavetown: Thank you :) I wrote most of it at home in Cambridge in my garden studio. I usually work best at night time, so I lock myself away for a few hours after dark until I’m either satisfied or hit a wall.

My home there has also inspired a lot of this EP. I feel like each project I put out is like a timestamp of my life, with different places and challenges coming to mind when I reflect on them.

HAPPY: How about the recording process? Where, and how long did it take?

Cavetown: I write and record at the same time! I find it the most efficient way for me to get stuff out of my brain.

I have no idea how long Little Vice took from start to finish. Most of my projects don’t really have a specific start.

My process is quite inconsistent and disorganised, but I just have to listen to myself and let the ideas come when they’re ready. Nothing sucks more than a forced song.

HAPPY: Can you share how your music evolved from your early days in the bedroom to collaborating with big labels?

Cavetown: I’ve been very lucky in that my music and songwriting process has been something that belongs to me from the very beginning.

I have a team who help me protect my art and do it in my own way, so its evolution has mostly involved forming new connections with other artists, producers, and directors, which has naturally helped my music to improve and change.

HAPPY: You’ve played around with different sounds on “Little Vice” and DIY pop. What gets you excited about exploring new musical territories?

Cavetown: I like it when I learn something new!! Sometimes learning new ropes can get frustrating, sure, but when something finally clicks and I understand how to mix something in a new way or use a new sound, it’s so satisfying and exciting. No rules and no mistakes.

HAPPY: You’ve teamed up with cool indie folks like MXMTOON and CHLOE MORIONDO. What do you look for in collaborators, and how does that spark creativity?

Cavetown: For me, it’s always been really important to collaborate with artists who I already have a friendship with.

The songwriting process can get super personal and vulnerable which is weird if the person you’re trying to write with is basically a stranger.

I want to be able to feel like I don’t have to hold back, and of course, I want the other artist to feel the same way.

HAPPY: Your music touches on mental health and self-discovery. How do you balance expressing yourself artistically with taking care of your own well-being?

Cavetown: I would love to know the answer!!!! It’s hard. I think there’s no right way to balance the two, and maybe a true healthy balance doesn’t really exist.

Although when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed by my job, it helps to remember that those feelings make some great song content.

HAPPY: Your Australian shows have all sold out – that’s awesome! How does it feel to reconnect with your Aussie fans after a global break?

Cavetown: So surreal!! It almost feels like the first time. We were given such a warm welcome (literally) in Melbourne yesterday, so I’m looking forward to seeing the happy faces of Sydney tonight too :)

HAPPY: Besides the tunes, what are you pumped to experience in the lively Australian music scene and culture? And how are you bringing that safe and inclusive vibe to your Aussie tour?

Cavetown: My favourite thing to do when travelling is to experience nature!! We’ve had a lot of beach time already – I went snorkelling for the first time and had probably the best beach experience of my life in Melbourne at Half Moon Bay.

Apparently that’s not even considered a good beach so I’m stoked to see what else this country’s beaches have to offer. I love seeing all the weird birds and different plants on this side of the world too!

It’s easy to feel a little trapped in venues so I try to escape the musician headspace as much as possible. How could I not when I’m surrounded by so much to explore??

HAPPY: Your music really resonates with young folks navigating life’s twists and turns. Any words of wisdom for your Aussie fans who might be going through some stuff?

Cavetown: Things will get better! And then they’ll get worse, then better again, then maybe they’ll just be fine for a bit, worse, better, worse, better… Just keep moving forward the best you can.

Care for yourself today so that the you tomorrow might have a better day. And look for the excitement in knowing that life can throw stuff at you at any moment. If you’re not okay right now, every second that passes is one closer to feeling better.

HAPPY: Lastly, what makes you happy?

Cavetown: My cat, my girlfriend, and my friends :)