Your debut solo record sounds like a big departure from Jet’s signature style. What inspired you to head in such a different musical direction?

I think temperamentally I get very inspired and interested in unique things for an intense period and then will move on to something different. I have eclectic tastes, not to sound pretentious but I have been a fan of everything from old roots reggae and dub all the way to being obsessed with certain Beethoven symphonies. Sometimes the pop music my 7 year old listens to will intrigue me for a while, then I become bored and move on.

There are definite throughlines though. Guitar music will always hold a special place in my heart. It moves in mysterious ways. With this record I let my muse lead and I just followed her wherever she led. There were plenty of dead ends but mapping the geography was a big part of what made it rewarding.

What can fans expect from your show at The Trocadero Room on 12 September? Will the set lean heavily on the new album, or will there be some surprises in there too?

The album will be the core of the show obviously but I have taken the opportunity of a clean slate to pick a cover or two and also try out some songs that may or may not become JET tunes also. To road test them.

How does it feel to be bringing Cam Muncey & The Delusions of Grandeur to a live audience for the first time?

The shows remind me of the first shows JET did back in the day. More intimate and I meet people after. Have a drink at the bar and all that stuff which has fallen away over the years doing bigger more impersonal shows. I always enjoyed the feel of those shows and I never lost the taste for them.

You’ve spoken about putting music aside for a while after Jet. What finally sparked the fire to write and record again?

The usual motivation was involved, Memento Mori! haha you either do your passion or you regret, never knowing. It's been rewarding because through this project Pete, my bandmate in this project and more recently in JET also has become an important creative partner. I have worked with loads of people and made many more friends in music so it's been a great few years bringing it to release.

The album explores everything from psychedelic rock to 80s-inspired pop. Did you go in with a vision for the sound, or did it evolve as you went along?

I went from song to song. Whatever popped into my head. I also tried many different styles for different songs. Heavier, weirder etc "Don't Underestimate my baby" ended up a BossaNova. It originally sounded like Morrissey, so I was experimenting a lot.

You worked with some familiar faces from Jet on the album—what was it like stepping into the role of “ringleader” this time around?

Great question. It was a test on many levels. Stamina was needed in the studio for sure. I was wrecked at the end of a full week of sessions. Also I learnt better how to direct and when to lay off and let others lead and be creative. It's fascinating and gruelling work. Ultimately it elevates everyone. You feel a buzz.

Songs like Take A Chance and Quarantine reference real moments in your life—from the London riots to Melbourne’s heavy lockdowns. How personal did this album become for you as a songwriter?

I can't help but be personal to tell you the truth. I am generally very open. The truth just spills out, sometimes much to my chagrin. The album is no exception. This answer is also pretty honest! Ha!

You’ve described those late-night writing sessions as a creative turning point. What did those hours alone teach you about yourself as an artist?

I learnt that one of my favorite states of being is when the creative flow is in full force. The hours melt away as do your worries. You are completely focussed and mentally turned on so to speak. It's like a high.

Now that the album is out, what do you hope listeners take away from Cam Muncey & The Delusions of Grandeur?

I hope they take away some beauty. I tried to make something beautiful.

With Jet’s legacy still so strong, how do you see this solo project fitting into the next chapter of your music career?

Time can only tell but I hope to do it all again. Memento Mori!