Cavetown Exclusive FAULT Magazine Photoshoot and Interview
Cavetown X FAULT Magazine
Today sees the release of Cavetown’s new track ‘Sharpener’, which explores one’s battle with unhealthy coping mechanisms and the long, if not constant, journey to overcoming them. Released alongside an animated music video directed by Cheng Qiu, the track is another example of Cavetown’s empathic ability to write music which resonates with listeners dealing with similar life experiences.
Cavetown’s songwriting talent has proven so vital that listeners have formed a community birthed from their love of Cavetown’s music but maintained for the safety and comfort offered from one another. We caught up with Cavetown to discuss music, the community and of course, FAULTs.
The Cavetown fanbase is very much a living breathing community and I wondered in your own words could you sum up what you think being a member of that community means for your listeners?
Cavetown: From messages and interactions I’ve read from people online, and the energy I’ve seen in person at shows, I think the community has become a safe, kind, welcoming place for young people who might be needing more of that in their lives. It’s sure special for me to see such wonderful people accumulating around my music, meeting new friends and finding themselves simply because of some little tunes I decided to post on the internet – it’s heartwarming :)
Do you think in a way, you’ve built a community that you needed growing up?
Cavetown: A community has definitely been built, certainly one I would’ve been a part of as a kid and one which would’ve made life easier for me growing up, but that’s all thanks to the community itself. Sure my music is what it all revolves around, but the community built itself and continues to without much input from me. I think that’s the most special thing to come out of what I do – for so many people to have built a space in which they feel at home. Even if I were to stop music tomorrow, many of the friendships my community have made could live on for the rest of their lives and that’s so cool.
When you look back on your discography, what would you say was the emotionally hardest song to write?
Cavetown: At the time Jack’s Song was incredibly hard. That was a song I wrote back in 2016 very soon after one of my childhood best friends passed away, but when your emotions are that raw you just know the music is going to be at its best. I think every song where I’ve had to stop writing to cry a bit end up being my best ones.
What’s something you wish you were asked about more?
Cavetown: I wish journalists would ask me how old my cat is because he has just turned 3 and he’s such a big boy and I love him so much
What’s something you want journalists to stop asking?
Cavetown: “Who are your musical influences”. I have no idea
In a previous interview you wrote about how you’re writing a bunch of emo and gentler songs, do your albums always correlate to the mood of which you write them or is this just a genre you’d like to explore more?
Cavetown: I think mood and genre go hand in hand honestly! If I’m going through a really good and empowering time I tend to be drawn to upbeat punchy rocky sounds, whereas if I’m in a bit of a hole I’ll feel like going for an Elliott Smith vibe.
What’s something new you’ve learnt about yourself this year?
Cavetown: I’ve realised that I’m not as masculine as I’ve tried to be for most of my life. I’ve become more comfortable in my androgyny while in quarantine, probably thanks to not having to go outside and be judged by anyone. I’m getting more feminine clothes which will push me out of my comfort zone, but it’s so fun and exciting to embrace that side of my identity!!
What is your FAULT?
Cavetown: I worry too much about letting people down. It’s my biggest fear and I think it sometimes annoys people when I apologise for stuff too often, but I’m glad I’m around the type of people who don’t mind telling me “it’s okay” as many times as I need to hear it.