Q&A: Former Champ
Ahead of their debut album I Saw You in Paradise, Former Champ open up about the emotional threads tying their music to Irish identity, Glasgow roots, and a sense of displacement. In this Q&A, Clare from the band talks recording in rural Ireland with analog gear, the joy (and chaos) of communal studio life, and why their latest single “Crooked Little Line” felt like the perfect reintroduction. There's talk of boot rides to pubs, sliding doors moments, and the deep pride behind their DIY vinyl release. It’s a warm, thoughtful look inside a band stepping confidently into a new chapter.
1. “Crooked Little Line” is your first single from your upcoming debut album I Saw You in Paradise—what made this the one to kick things off?
CM: It was a favourite of everyone’s during recording, including producer Julie. It felt like the appropriate way to reintroduce ourselves and announce the album with confidence. It was also the last song we finished before going into the studio so maybe there was more excitement around it for all of us.
2. Your merch reflects pride in your Glasgow surroundings and Irish roots—how do those connections shape the sound and stories in your music?
CM: Many of the songs on this album are about feeling displaced and some are even more directly about Irish Diaspora and Irish Politics. I think anyone who has moved away from their hometown can probably relate to a curiosity about the alternate life they could be leading. The larger concept of sliding doors and endless paths has been a key theme on the album and even informed its title.
And of course musically Irish artists are a huge inspiration for all of us, from Thin Lizzy to the Cranberries, My Bloody Valentine, the Saw Doctors…
3. How has the recording process for I Saw You in Paradise been so far—any surprises, breakthroughs, or chaos worth mentioning?
CM: We recorded the album at the start of this year with the amazing Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue in Ireland. It was a really relaxed, happy and productive atmosphere. Recording at a residential studio means you are living like a family, eating all your meals together, sleeping together, watching movies together in the evening and leads to a pretty immersive experience. We worked more collaboratively on this album than on anything we’ve done previously and I feel it’s definitely paid off.
While we worked hard, I did feel it was important to show the band a fair few of the local pubs. When you’re in rural Ireland you get to the pub however you can and sometimes that meant me and Ryan squeezing into the boot of a car and rolling about the back roads.
4. Your last EP was tracked live to tape in a tiny, sweaty studio—are you keeping that raw, in-the-room energy for I Saw You in Paradise, or has the approach evolved this time around?
CM: The album was also tracked live to tape although in a larger, much less sweaty studio. Working at Analogue Catalogue meant we could still capture that energy but gave us lots more options. Julie really got what the ‘sound’ of the album should be and pushed us into making things bigger and better. Her understanding of frequencies and sound is really mind blowing. Green Door studio in Glasgow still played an important part this time round - we mixed and mastered there with the great Ronan Fay and Sam Smith. Ronan has understood what we’re trying to do from day one and as well as being a talented producer/engineer he’s also a lovely, funny guy to be around and that’s equally as important to us when it comes to all this stuff.
5. You’ve announced a super limited vinyl run for the album—what does it mean to you to have I Saw You in Paradise out there as a physical record?
CM: It’s an exciting milestone to have created something we’re proud enough of to press and that’s how we feel about this record. Also, the cover features artwork by band members (Ryan) and friends of the band so it’s cool to see that as a physical product.
6. The album’s not out until September—how are you keeping busy this summer? What shows or festivals are on the horizon for Former Champ?
CM: Former Champ Summer begins in September when the album comes out - we’ve got Freakender plus some more dates further afield that we can’t talk about just yet. We’re going to spend the summer writing and hanging out together. We’re looking forward to watching Glastonbury on the telly at Ryan’s.