Getting To Know: Acwa

1. 'Distortions Of Love' is described as a deeply personal album that reflects on the multifaceted nature of love. Can you share how your own experiences have shaped the themes and stories within this album?

I use my songwriting as a way to process my life, this ranges from the moment my heart opened up and I fell in love for the first time ('Worlds Away' stems from this moment, which seemed almost beyond choice), to the love that is experienced deeply through loss. I lost a close friend who I grew up with when I was in my early 20's and it shook my being. I was silent for a long time but when I finally sang again it was the chorus melody from ‘Through The Dark’. It came through me like lightning, a moment of pure release.

2. You've mentioned that this album is more grounded and guitar-driven compared to your previous experimental EPs. How did this shift in sound come about, and what did it allow you to explore musically and creatively?

It's funny, guitar has always been my primary instrument and writing tool, and some of the songs on this album were written before both of those EPs. My first EP ‘As Above’ followed on from a plunge into production and electronic instrumentation, whereas my piano-based EP ‘Broken Open’ emerged from a darker place. My mum was ill and I was recovering from surgery after breaking my left hand, so instead I played piano with my right hand. So this guitar-based project has been in my sights for quite some time, bringing together sounds, ideas and emotions that were circling my mind. 'Don't You Wanna Let Go’'s first incarnation was a long and winding chord sequence I wrote when I was around 15, it finally came together mid-way through recording the album. I actually returned to my family home in the New Forest for Christmas where I wrote a poem, this is when the new verse and song finally took flight. It also was a turning point for the sound of the album as I brought in the acoustic guitars for backing and knew I wanted quite a raw organic feel to the production.

3. The album was recorded solely by you in your own studio, which you drove to Greece to complete. What was the significance of recording in Greece, and how did this environment influence the album's production and atmosphere?

I was in London for some time before Greece, working non-stop. I was making snatches of demos here and there and working on some composition, but I had no time for a project this big. I knew it wouldn't happen unless I made some time. I took as much gear as I could fit in my car and drove out to a small apartment in mainland Greece. It was beautiful, simple and serene, and apart from a couple of natural disasters (I won’t go into that now) it was very

tranquil! I wrote a third of the album out there and I think a lot of that clear beaming Mediterranean sun you can feel through those tracks. I even left my mic recording with thewindows open to directly layer the atmosphere into a few of the tracks, so you'll be able to hear the Greek birds diving through the orange trees in places.

4. You’re releasing nine singles ahead of the full album drop. How did you choose which tracks to release as singles, and how do they collectively represent the overarching journey of 'Distortions Of Love'?

It's difficult as all these songs mean a lot to me in different ways, I wanted to give each song some space and hopefully build some intrigue for the full release. The songs vary in terms of style and influence, so I think each single may appeal to a range of audiences. The release order does relate to the album sequence which is carefully arranged.

5. You describe the album as a journey through moments of love and loss. What do you hope listeners take away from this journey, and how do you envision translating this deeply personal experience into your live performances with your band?

An important theme of the album is release and letting go, letting go of past trauma, self image, outdated ideas we hold and even letting go of oneself in love and the beauty of that vulnerability. I'm trying to find healing and through expression I find I transform my relationship to events or feelings that felt solid and unmovable before. The journey of the album isn't as straightforward as darkness to light, although some of the more recent songs I've written are towards the end and reflect a perspective that steps back and tries to view the journey through the eyes of love. I hope listeners might find catharsis in the music and in the live shows, and find some release for themselves.