Carl Barat

Wed 20th Oct, 2010 in Features

“I am just sick of bands. I wanted to explore something more personal, that is probably selfish of me, but that is the truth of it.” Carl Barat is listed amongst the greats as a song writing genius, with an ear for melody and a heartfelt attention to detail through his lyrics. A core component of The Libertines, a band that is said to be ‘one of the greatest rock stories of this generation’, Barat seems to have lead a typical rock and roll life. Amongst the drinking and the drugs, the acclaimed success this band had thrust upon them turned sour, and soon it saw the demise of a band that had changed the industry in a short space of time.

Still filled with fervour, Barat decided to expend his talents on another musical project, that being Dirty Pretty Things, and although the band had a few good years, this too soon fell apart, “I have been there and done that. I think it is necessary to break away from the band thing for a while, for me anyway.” Barat believes that this year was the perfect time to release a solo album, “I have been writing material for the past ten years, and within three months this year it all sort of came together very fluently. I think it is very appropriate to be releasing the album now, it feels very right.”

Of course Barat is speaking in reference to his recent reunion with The Libertines, after much time spent being full of anger and resentment have decided to turn a new page, “I definitely feel that the release of this album is like being able to close a chapter, to get all those feelings out is a way of moving on.” Barat has little to say on his relationship with Peter Doherty, although he does agree that the ‘love/hate’ remarks made in the media are very correct, “We are the same as we ever were, and I think that is how it will always be. There is a lot of water under the bridge and we are all feeling positive and ready to look forward.” He believes the solo releases of band member from The Libertines all excelled, “They were all so beautiful and vulnerable, and when I heard the songs, I could feel that we were probably all feeling the same about a lot of things.”

His album, a somewhat surprising jovial mix of sadden lyrics and uplifting musicality, Barat admits he tried to break away from the sound that he cemented when in his bands, “I suppose it was a conscience decision, but it was also something I felt to be quite natural. I did want to explore something different, in every area, so working with different instruments and getting ideas from other artists was very inspiring.” According to Barat, choosing to work with Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow) and Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) was all a part of finding his solo sound, “I had heard Animals by Miike Snow, and I just thought it was a great song and that his approach would be different to mine and I really valued his opinion. It was a joy to work with the both of them.”

He tells how the finished product took him by surprise, “I was expecting it to sound a lot darker than it does, so that is surprising, but I am happy with it all the same. I never intended for it to be dark, it is just at the time I was writing, I just thought the subject matter might lean to that sort of end result.” Barat explains that most of the record is about universal connections and relationships, “ So Long My Lover is about the downfall of a relationship. Most of the album is about changes, often to do with all sorts of networks, so a bit about my struggle with bands and a bit about other things too.” As much as the album is a cathartic release for Barat, he hopes that is will be for listeners too, “I would love it to become a scaffold for other artists and a landscape in a way for people to maybe deal with their own relationships and connections with other. Really, people can take what they want from it, it is up to them, but that is the way I hope it is received.”

With a mindset like Barat’s, it comes as no surprise that every detail regarding the album was thought out, “It is self titled because I thought that would truly show my first chapter as a soloist, as I hope to make more solo albums. The songs really defined me at a specific time, and I guess continuously with relationships.” Some have said the artwork is ill fitting and confused, but for Barat it is simple, “It is a snapshot of a moment, a passing in time. I think it is very fitting.”

He has also released a book called Threepenny Memoir, one he agrees perfectly coincides with the release of his album, “I think together they send a strong message about that chapter in my life and moving on for a fresh beginning. I always wanted to write a novel, but I felt I couldn’t ignore those experiences, I had to jot them down.”

Barat thinks that allowing himself to be vulnerable contributed to the feel of the album, “It was the first time I wasn’t writing for four other people, so I was allowed to really explore. I think there is more freedom in this album and it has a more thematic and intimate feel.” Inspired by music such as Tom Waits’ Rain Dogs and Bonnie Prince Billy, Barat hopes these influences are conveyed through his music, “I really respect these musicians, they are really the ones I look up to in a personal sense I guess.” He believes that his work in bands gave him the confidence to go solo, and is grateful and proud that people admire his work in The Libertines so much, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but when people say such positive and outstanding things I just feel overwhelmed with pride, it really is a nice feeling.” Barat shares that although there is a lot to achieve before then, we can possibly expect the new album from The Libertines early next year, “There is so much going on, so it is hard to judge it, but yeah next year most likely, hopefully early on, we will see.”

It is hard to determine what will become of the infamous band The Libertines, but with Barat’s solo efforts proving to be an innovative stamp on his previous musings, things are looking up for him.