Cosmo’s Midnight Suck: “Thank God I Eat Lettuce Now”
Australian electronic duo Cosmo’s Midnight always know how to bring good vibes. Made up of twin brothers Cosmo and Patrick Liney, the group make upbeat, funk-flecked songs that are best enjoyed in the summertime. Their new track with Forest Claudette, ‘Borrowed Time’, is a three-minute journey to a world that’s free of worry — if you’re looking for a good night, then chuck on some Cosmo’s Midnight. Your pressing concerns (like the mowing you need to do, or the bills you have to pay) will fade into the background.
To mark the release of ‘Borrowed Time’, Junkee caught up with Cosmo and Pat to discover why you can’t exclusively eat Hungry Jack’s, how looking before you reverse in a car can save you some serious cash, and why, if you’re going to follow your gut, you should also consider using your brain. There are a few PSAs here from Cosmo’s Midnight, so listen up — they want you to learn from their mistakes.
Junkee: A mistake that turned into an opportunity?
Cosmo: Well the whole of Cosmo’s Midnight could be considered an accident or coincidence. One night I was working on a demo and finished it around midnight. I saved it as Cosmo’s Midnight mix and decided to release it under that name. No further thought went in and it turned out to be one of our best decisions, leading to our new style and sound that we have today.
Cringe quote you used to live by?
Cosmo: Not necessarily a quote, but we always used to think that success was only getting out what you put in and that hard work equals big rewards. Unfortunately I think that this can lead to burnout because your expectations are always so high. Definitely good to take breaks to refocus and let inspiration build up.
Worst advice you got and blindly followed?
Pat: Following your gut. Man, my gut has led me into all kinds of terrible scenarios. Not to say that you can’t go off instinct, but it’s good to use your head sometimes too.
The worst failure you’re up for sharing, and what you learned from it?
Pat: Make sure you look behind you before you reverse at full speed. I learned that turning your head for a second is cheaper than $1500 in repairs.
Anything you used to be wrong about?
Cosmo: This interview is such a read. I’ve been wrong about a lot but thinking that eating Hungry Jack’s everyday was sustainable is so wrong. I was the most skinny fat person in existence, slim on the outside, pure oil on the inside. Thank God I eat lettuce now.
Embarrassing internet habit?
Pat: Watching eight-hour video essays on topics I don’t care about for several days instead of learning or watching things that actually interest me.
Ideal morning routine versus actual morning routine?
Pat: Ideal morning routine is to wake up before 10/11am, get sun in my eyes and have any semblance of a normal routine. Actual morning routine is waking up whenever my body decides is enough (which is always way too long) then proceeding to stare at my phone for an hour in bed and then getting up, wondering why I feel like I just woke from a coma and need to be flipped over in my sleep to avoid bruising.
Something very off-brand for you?
Pat: Developing a YouTube algorithm that is pushing me into body building even though I think massive mountains of muscle are gross and I never want to lift a weight.
Bad health decision?
Pat: So much vaping (they taste way too sweet) makes your mouth feel greasy, not eating enough or too much altogether, having the most irregular sleeping pattern and sitting in a chair all day making music, although the idea of writing music at a standing desk feels awkward.
What do you waste money on?
Pat: Video games that I’ll never play, impulse clothing purchases, food delivery, gadgets. Sometimes you don’t need three kinds of blenders.
Worst procrastination habit?
Pat: Doom scrolling the most abominably boring, inane videos as soon as I wake up.
Cosmo’s Midnight’s new single with Forest Claudette, ‘Borrowed Time’, is out now.
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Illustration credit: Matt Lauricella, @pigeonboyart