Day in the life: Musicians RAC and Matthew Koma play New York's Terminal 5

André Allen Anjos (RAC) and Matthew Koma are no strangers. In fact, their work in the different facets of the music industry has brought them together for September-released single, "Cheap Sunglasses," of which there are seven versions — one of which (the track that lives on RAC’s 2014 album, Strangers — listen to it here), has been streamed over 2 million times on Spotify. The two met up on a rainy morning in New York City at NoHo coffee shop La Colombe. There was a lot to be done: Later that night, RAC would play a sold-out headlining show at Terminal 5, which Koma would attend — and surprise fans with an appearance, chiming in for “Cheap Sunglasses” during the encore. Koma and Anjos take off toward their first stop, Bleecker Street Records — a classic neighborhood spot in the charming West Village. En route, they talk about what went into making “Cheap Sunglasses,” a process that began three years ago when Koma wrote the song with producer Tim Pagnotta. “It’s funny how ideas like that float around for a while before you find a home for them,” says Koma.When Anjos sent remixed tracks to Koma, Koma began toying with vocals, taking inspiration from his Los Angeles surroundings. “When I first started working on ‘Cheap Sunglasses,’ I was taking a drive over a canyon and pulled over in the car actually. I wanted to just get in the zone, and I recorded voice notes to, like, six of the tracks you’d sent me.” Although the finished product evolved further from that point, Koma explains that he often finds inspiration on the road. “That initial spark is usually car-driven, or travel-driven,” says  Koma. “When it’s subconscious for me, it’s more fun than when I’m trying to sit down and chip away at something.”Koma and Anjos arrive at Bleecker Street Records. As they browse through the racks, they talk influences. Anjos draws inspiration from Paul Simon, and, fittingly, he leaves with a copy of Simon's iconic album Graceland.From there, the two head to Terminal 5, where Anjos  — and Koma — would be taking the stage in a just few hours’ time. As they hang backstage, energy and anticipation is thick in the air. “When you’re inspired by something and you feel like there’s something you could serve that’s different from what the other person brought to the table, but it works, the puzzle clicks. It’s a rare thing, but a cool experience,” says Koma. As the cheers from the packed venue would later indicate, it’s clear this is one of those coveted, extraordinary circumstances.