YX: What aspect of releasing this new album are you most excited about?
GC: I think for this one it’s touring that I’m the most excited for. I was able to do a Europe run this summer and that was only six shows, which is a really short run because things got rescheduled so many times due to COVID. I think the tour was originally 14 dates or something and now it was down to six, but it was just an opportunity to get back out on stage and end up with fans again. I think what’s unique to me and my fans is that most of them have been with me since they were kids too. So there’s this evolution and shared growth between us all. And it’s so cool to see that from stage to look and recognize a lot of them that have been listening since they were also 12 or 13 years old. And to bring this album out on the road and play it every night and be proud of it was something I envisions when I was writing this record. I’m really, really excited about that part of it.

YX: What would you say is the most difference between your current music versus before?
GC: Topics have changed pretty drastically from when I was 14 to 24. I didn’t write any of my first albums, it was sort of all placed and given to me. After a few releases, I started to write in the studio, and I can track when I started to listen to certain music. I see myself pushing a bit more and wanting to open up when influences enter my listening cycle. When I first started listening to Joni Mitchell, you can tell within the music because I’m trying to be super poetic and creative, like throwing paint up walls. I’ve always wanted a certain level of intentionality in my music, to have a purpose for someone to put their headphones on and click on my record. But you know, I’m sure within 10 years I’ll look back at this album going, oh yea, I was so young and naive.

YX:  What’s been on your listening cycle right now and have there been any influences?
GC: It’s interesting that for this album I was listening to a lot of music that was completely different in terms of genre. A lot of hip hop and rap while I was writing “Palladium”. The staples like Lil Nas X to Denzel Curry, which is more unexpected. And then there was a lot of Radiohead during this album. And then a lot of this country artist named Tanya Tucker. It was less about the sounds of the songs or genres, but the artists themselves, finding people who are intentional and really purposeful with their art.

YX: I noticed in “Palladium” the song, there was a distinct sound, almost like a background vocal and I thought that was an interesting choice. Could you tell me more about that?
GC: Yea we found this sample from a sample library that we stumbled upon our first day of writing this album. I was rambling about this Greek myth and how I wanted my voice to shine through in this album. As we started playing around with some chords, I remember my producer pulling out that sound. It sounds like a little ancient choir, like this kind of female voice. And it just felt like it weaved everything together. So in the album, she comes back on multiple different songs. It’s a very constant theme throughout the album and a big point of inspiration.

YX: That sound in combination with an acoustic guitar really stood out to me. I thought maybe you were referencing the sirens from Odysseus or choir muses from Hercules.
GC: Yes, there it is. You’re right on the money about that.

YX: To wrap this up, how do you measure the success of your album?
GC: It already is. It’s a reminder to myself and those who come to my shows that there’s such importance and strength in continuing. And the fact that I’m still able to walk into a room and make an album after doing this for 12 years, and people still care and buy tickets to shows. Everything else now at this point is a bonus. I feel like the most fortunate and blessed artist you’ll ever meet. Nothing else would taint my mind that it’s already a massive success.

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