GIAC DE CASTRO NEW ALBUM, “ALMOST HOME”, RELEASING ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS ON JULY 10TH.

W: Penny Lane. I: Finn Carlow

The London electronica artist talks self-sufficiency, post-show diva moments, and finding comfort in the unfinished journey of new album Almost Home.

There is a distinct, seductive friction at the heart of Giac de Castro’s sound. Based in London, the electronica musician is carving out a space that is entirely their own—stitching together the high-energy heartbeat of contemporary club production with the delicate, spacious textures of sonic ambience and raw, lyrical storytelling. It is music built for the dance floor, but designed for the psyche.

We sat down with Giac to talk through the alt-experimental landscape, the double-edged sword of creative control, and what lies beyond their deeply introspective new album, Almost Home.

Ethereal Beats & Pop Sensibilities

For someone who is yet to discover you, how would you describe your music?

Giac de Castro: I would say that my music sits comfortably between being ethereal and spacious, and combines the heartbeat of contemporary electronica music with my background in lyrical storytelling. My sound is both emotionally direct and inspired by the dance floor, mixing club-focused production with melodic songwriting and sonic ambience.

Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?

Giac: I do sometimes struggle with placement, just because I feel like I move between different territories within my music. Generally, however, I think I fit into the alt/experimental electronic landscape, but also maybe towards a slightly more pop crowd due to the use of vocals and lyricism… I do genuinely play this one by ear and just see wherever I land and go with it!

What music artists or bands have influenced your work?

Giac: I think a lot of my influences are elements that I’ve cherry-picked from other artists. Aphex Twin and Kraftwerk, as an example, have always been artists I look up to for their music production. But then artists like Allie X, Robyn, and Madonna really inform my songwriting. I don’t think I can pinpoint it to a handful—there’s just soooo many!

Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?

Giac: My all-round collab girlie would be Madonna—since forever, she’s my number one. However, I think other artists who I see myself aligning with artistically are Kelela, Santigold, Aphex Twin, and loads of others, to be honest.

The Double-Edged Sword of Complete Control

What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist?

Giac: Complete self-sufficiency. Just being able to do everything on your own accord and to have complete creative control over your music from start to finish is something I couldn’t imagine not doing… also really helps the bank account.

And your greatest weakness?

Giac: …Complete self-sufficiency. It turns you into a hyper-fixated control freak.

What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced, and how did you overcome it?

Giac: I’ve always been my own biggest obstacle, and I think this album is a major way of overcoming myself.

Inside the New Album: Almost Home

Is there a specific story behind the new album, Almost Home?

Giac: Almost Home as a title refers to this idea of inching closer to your truest, most comfortable state of self. The songs on the album were made over the last two years and present self-confrontations, confessions, and thoughts that have carried me to where I currently am in terms of my mindset and outlook on life.

But in a way, I also feel as if being "almost home" is a forever state for some people—not that we won’t ever be comfortable in ourselves, but sometimes there’s always a new place we want to get to after we’ve reached the last one.

What can fans expect from the record?

Giac: Me having several mental breakdowns trying to promote it x.

The Pre-Show Lock-In and Looking Outward

What is your pre-show routine? Do you have any diva demands?

Giac: I actually think I’m not too much of a diva before a show. Most of the time I just like being left alone so I can lock in and ease the nervousness. The diva probably comes out post-performance, when I feel briefly famous for like 30 minutes and everyone’s talking to me about how they felt during the show.

What’s currently driving your creative focus, and how is that filtering into what’s next?

Giac: Looking outward rather than inward. The album is predominantly introspective, which is great and really cathartic in some ways. But now I feel as if I’ve drained that source for the time being, and I need to look away from myself.

What boundaries are you looking to push with your creative output over the coming months?

Giac: I really just want to go further in terms of what elements I’m incorporating in my music and how I can re-invent it—I want to just keep making and re-making. I’m hoping to put out some dubs of songs from the album, extended remixes, and remixes from other producers, as well as just completely new material. Making an album is fun and very grounding, but it comes with a lot of attention to detail… I now just wanna push a little bit further and create without restrictions.

As you look at the horizon for this year, what’s the biggest shift your audience is going to notice?

Giac: More music, more shows, more fun, more meeeee!!