In Conversation With #276 - Cosmorat
Indie-pop innovators Cosmorat have just released the debut EP ‘Evil Adjacent’.
Reflecting on anxieties, boredom, and despair, Cosmorat detail growing up in questionable circumstances while loving thy neighbour as thyself (even if thy neighbour is the devil himself). 'Evil Adjacent' journeys through several different tales of girlhood, abusive relationships, social anxieties, and loving those that can't love you back. Cosmorat use textures and vocal arrangements to invoke the listeners imagination and put them into these situations.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Cosmorat - how are you? So your debut EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Good. I’m glad it’s over. It feels like I have been dragging myself through the gravel across the finish line with this. I have so many more things I want to explore now. This was the first step in doing so, so I am excited to take it and run with it.
It is called ‘Evil Adjacent’ - what is the meaning behind that?
I guess it’s just about existing right now. We are all on to two degrees of separation away from tragedy. It’s walking beside someone who is scorned and still loving them. To quote Brian Sella, “ we are all eventually either the victim or the victim’s family”. You can’t avoid it.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was recorded everywhere. Our producer has a shed that we record in. I have a Zoom recorder that I record vocals in when I am writing. Also in my bedroom and living room. I recorded the vocals and guitars to “No Sleep” in a cabin in Norway. Olly and I are both studio engineers, and we recorded bits and pieces of it at East Cote studios in west London. But most of it was recorded at homes. It was really freeing to just move and record.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
Growing up during an opioid epidemic and never having lived through peacetime. Being lucky because I’m a privileged white woman, but also watching those around me fall into despair. Falling into despair myself because I want to feel something. Finding love and giving love even when it feels like there is none left.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Kids by Larry Clark and Harmony Korrine maybe. So many levels of despair and deceit and being the unlucky one. I love that movie so much.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
Probably “You never knew how heavy heaven could be… Under the weight of it all, everything else feels so small”. It’s about succumbing to addiction and thinking about who you are leaving behind.
Now the EP is out there - what next?
I have like a whole second EP almost ready to go. It’s impulsive now!! I can’t stop!
