CVC (Church Village Collective) are a band from South Wales who have been seamlessly, expertly merging 70s rock vibes with a futuristic edge. They’re making serious waves across the country and have come such a long way from their DIY recording days.
They’re now working with industry legends like Chris Hughes, the producer behind Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears. But even with all that success, the heart of the band hasn’t changed. In this chat, Francesco, David, and Elliot look back on their journey so far, spill the beans on their Cardiff homecoming gig, reveal who they’d love to collaborate with (spoiler: Elvis and Snoop Dogg both make the list), and explain why they’re still the tight-knit band who have been friends since childhood, even if one of them now claims to be the Tiger Woods of golf.
whynow: Good morning, guys! Thanks for joining us. How long has it been since you guys first started playing together?
David: We’ve been together for about five or six years now, in this current lineup. We’re all in our mid-20s now, so it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come in that time. It feels like it’s been a solid journey, even though we’ve only really started gaining traction more recently.
whynow: Your sound has really evolved since Get Real. How would you describe that shift?
David: It’s funny because it wasn’t really a conscious decision to change. After Get Real, we started getting into synthesisers more, and we just followed that natural progression. We didn’t sit down and say, “Let’s do something totally different”; it just sort of happened as we got more interested in electronic sounds and synth-heavy stuff.
Francesco: Exactly. We were trying to move into something more futuristic. It’s funny because we didn’t intend for it to happen, but after we added more synthesisers into the mix, we realised this new direction was really clicking for us. It’s kind of a “the future is now” vibe, and that’s where we’re taking the sound with the next album too.
whynow: So, you’ve gone from rock-heavy stuff like Get Real to more synth-driven sounds. Does that feel like a big big shift, or just a natural evolution?
Francesco: It’s not a huge shift, but it does feel like we’ve stepped into something new. The core of the band is the same, and the energy we’ve always had is still there, but we’ve just added more layers to it. It feels like a new chapter, but it’s still us.
David: Yeah, it’s not drastic, but it feels radical to us. It’s like a butterfly effect; one thing leads to another. After the early Get Real tracks, we grew up a little, our music tastes shifted, and we started exploring new ways to approach songwriting. It’s all still rooted in who we are as a band, just with a bit more of an open mind about where we can go next.
whynow: And now you’ve got a new collaboration with Chris Hughes. How did that come about?
David: Our manager, Jeff, had worked with Chris in the past, so when we were looking for a producer for this album, Jeff thought Chris would be the perfect fit. Once we sent him our demos and he understood where we were coming from, he jumped in. It was kind of a no-brainer, and he really brought something special to the table.
Elliot: It was a bit surreal at first, because we knew his work, especially Songs from the Big Chair by Tears for Fears. He’s a legend, so we weren’t sure what to expect. But when we met him, it was clear that he just got us. He took our half-formed ideas and turned them into fully realised tracks. It was a really eye-opening experience, working with someone with that kind of vision.
Francesco: What was amazing about Chris was how hands-on he was with us, but in such a gentle way. He made sure we felt confident about everything, and he really helped shape the songs, especially in terms of structure. We were used to doing everything ourselves, so to have someone like him guiding us through the process was a game-changer. Get Real was a very DIY record. We were recording in our living rooms and on the fly. This time, with Chris, we had more time to really get everything right in the studio, and it wasn’t just about the music – it was about fine-tuning the way we expressed ourselves as a band.
Elliot: The studio didn’t feel like a typical “studio” either – it felt much more like a living room vibe. It kept us relaxed and in a creative space, which was key to getting the best out of the music. It wasn’t like we were in some sterile, buttoned-up environment. We still had that sense of freedom.
whynow: And now, with your Cardiff show coming up, what does it feel like to play back home?
Elliot: It’s huge for us. I remember the first gig I went to in Cardiff – Newton Faulkner when I was about 10 or 11 – and I thought, “One day, I want to play here.” Now, we’re on the brink of selling out one of the biggest venues in the city. It’s wild to think about.
David: The support we’ve gotten from Cardiff is unreal. We’ve always felt this deep connection with the place, and the people there have been so good to us since we were kids. It’s always special to go back and perform in front of everyone who’s been with us from the start.
whynow: It sounds like the city really shapes your music and ethos. Do you think you’ll always stick with the “peace, love, and good times” vibe, or do you see yourselves shifting towards heavier themes?
David: Well, that’s definitely the vibe we’ve always gone for, and it’s still there in the music, but on the new album, we’ve got a track that’s a bit more politically charged. It’s just something that came out because of the way we were feeling, but we still gravitate toward more positive, feel-good stuff in general.
Elliot: Yeah, as we get older and life changes, there’s room for more depth in the music, but it’s still about reflecting life and the mood we’re in. Life always influences the art, and it goes the other way around, too.
whynow: So, let’s talk about collaborations. If you could work with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Francesco: For drummers, it’d be John Bonham or Nick Mason. Bass players? Paul McCartney, for sure. For guitarists, I’d go with Shanti from the Chili Peppers or Santana. As for keyboard players, Christine McVie would be the dream.
David: I’d love to write a song for Elvis, and then have Snoop Dogg rap on it. Imagine that – Snoop on The Lowrider would be a whole new level.
whynow: What a combo! Now, when you’re not making music, what do you all do to unwind?
David: Golf’s the new thing for half the band. We’ve got some pros in the making here.
Francesco: Yeah, I’m basically the Tiger Woods of the band now. It’s my new hobby.
Elliot: We play a lot of chess and card games while we’re on the road, but when we’re not doing that, we’re either writing or rehearsing. Not a lot of downtime, to be honest.
whynow: I really get the impression you lads have been friends for a long time, it feels like you really share a strong bond together.
Francesco: Yeah, we were friends before bandmates, so there’s a really strong connection. It makes it easy to communicate and be honest with each other.
David: We’ve got this telepathy, honestly. We’ve been together so long, we just know what each other’s thinking. It makes working together a lot smoother.
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