Courtney Barnett: A Decade ⁣of Musical Evolution and⁣ the‍ art of the Strat

As ⁣the release of her groundbreaking ⁣debut album,⁣ Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just⁣ Sit, a decade ago,‌ Courtney Barnett has been anything but idle. The North Melbourne native has delivered three studio albums, collaborated on‍ a live record with Kurt Vile, ⁤and contributed to the soundtrack of the 2023 documentary Anonymous Club.While her music embodies the essence of ⁤slacker ⁤rock,​ her work ethic tells a diffrent story.

Desert‍ Inspirations: The Making of Creature⁤ of Habit

For her latest project, Barnett and her band ventured to ​Joshua Tree, California, where they embraced a creative⁢ resurgence inspired by the desert landscape after extensive touring. The album Creature of Habit showcases barnett’s return to her signature fuzz-laden guitar work,especially evident in the single stay ⁢In Your Lane.Meanwhile, tracks like Same radiate a sun-soaked vibe, enhanced‍ by synth-driven melodies.

We caught up with Barnett from her Los Angeles home to‍ discuss her recent studio experiences and the importance of following one’s instincts ‍in music.

adapting Gear ‌for Different Venues

you’ve recently ‍performed at ⁢intimate indie venues like the Punters Club in Melbourne, contrasting ‍with your support for ⁣Foo Fighters in stadiums this year. How does your guitar setup vary with the size of the⁤ venue?

My setup remains largely unchanged for band‍ performances, regardless⁤ of the venue size. The only time I​ adjust is for solo shows. My front-of-house engineer utilizes a through box to capture⁣ the amp sound directly,​ which offers more control than customary ⁣mic’ing, as it minimizes unwanted noise.

Collaborating with Waxahatchee

Your new single⁤ features Waxahatchee. What drew you to Katie Crutchfield’s voice for Site Unseen?

I initially wrote the‌ harmony part with the intention of singing it myself, adding some reverb for effect.However, after ‍several‌ recordings, I realized Katie’s ⁢voice was ideal for⁢ that high ‌range.‌ I felt honored that she took the⁢ time to contribute her vocals.

Early Inspirations ​and Guitar Journey

You began writing songs at the age of 10. ⁢When did you first pick up a‍ guitar?

My brother and his friends ⁢played⁢ guitar, and I was ‍always‍ intrigued. I ‍borrowed a neighbor’s guitar but didn’t know ⁤how to play it. Eventually, a family friend gifted me an old three-quarter nylon-string⁢ acoustic that was⁤ in rough​ shape.It had been restrung⁤ for left-handed playing, which is ‍when I started taking lessons.

When did you transition to electric guitar?

I finally​ got my⁤ hands on a black ‌Ibanez after begging my parents for a couple‍ of years. ‍it was part of ‍a​ beginner’s pack that included the guitar, a Peavey amp, ‌and a soft ⁢case.

Influences That Shaped your Songwriting

Which guitarists inspired you to start writing your own songs?

Kurt Cobain‍ was‍ a significant influence, along with other left-handed legends⁢ like Jimi⁢ Hendrix and Paul‌ McCartney. My guitar teacher⁤ introduced me to Purple Haze, which felt ⁢daunting at⁤ first, but mastering it was a huge achievement. He also taught me Blackbird, which remains my mom’s favourite. Whenever I play, she always asks for Blackbird ​ as she ‌finds it much more⁤ pleasant than my louder tracks!

Creative Synergy with Stella​ Mozgaw

This new album⁤ marks ⁢your‍ reunion with producer and‍ Warpaint ​drummer Stella Mozgaw. How has your collaborative dynamic evolved?

Stella is an incredibly inspiring musician with a⁢ keen production sense. ‍She has introduced me to a wealth of music that has broadened my⁢ horizons. My⁣ first studio ⁢experience with her was alongside Kurt‌ Vile, and we also created the⁣ instrumental⁣ album End of ⁣the Day, where⁢ we​ improvised to visuals projected‍ on a wall. Working ​with​ her is always a stimulating experience.

Breaking Out‍ of Songwriting Patterns

You’ve mentioned that writing on ​an acoustic ⁢guitar can lead to repetitive chord progressions. How do you break free from that?

It can be ⁤challenging to recognize those patterns on ​your own. I try​ to stay conscious of​ them and set small challenges for myself,like composing a song without a chorus or incorporating more than four chords. These little⁢ exercises help me think outside the‍ box.

Exploring Creativity ⁢Beyond Music

During⁣ your songwriting sessions in the desert, you mentioned exploring other creative outlets, such as the works⁤ of Georgia⁢ O’Keeffe‌ and cooking.What ‌music accompanied you?

I found myself listening ‌to McCartney II on repeat-I’m completely obsessed with that album.I also enjoyed Marvin Gaye’s Midnight Love ⁣ on vinyl and delved back into classics from Nina Simone, Joni​ Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen.

Finding ​the Right Version‍ of a Song

You’ve said,​ “Sometimes you ⁣have to⁤ spend a few hours going in the wrong direction to find the right version of the song.” Which tracks on​ this‍ album took the longest to⁤ finalize?

Great Advice ‌ has undergone numerous transformations. I first worked on it in 2017 while creating Tell‍ Me ⁤How You​ Really Feel, but it never ⁣reached completion. It evolved again in 2020, but I ultimately set it aside until this album. It has changed⁣ substantially, ‌and I’m pleased with where it ​ended up. Many songs reached about 70% ‌completion before I hit a wall, except for Stay In ‍Your Lane and Sugar ⁤Plum, which came together more easily.

Balancing Self-Doubt and Completion

How do you navigate self-doubt while recognizing when⁣ a⁤ song is finished?

It’s fascinating to experience both feelings concurrently. Ultimately, it comes⁤ down to trusting yourself.​ I ‌can’t fully articulate what that means, but I know when something ‌feels right or wrong in the‍ moment.

Guitar Choices: The‍ Strat vs. the Jaguar

We noticed you recording⁢ Sugar Plum ⁤on a classic Olympic White ‍Fender Stratocaster, ‌a favorite of ⁣Jimi Hendrix, yet you ⁣typically play⁢ a ⁣sunburst Jaguar. How ‌do their​ tones compare?

I’ve owned several Stratocasters over the‍ years but have never⁣ performed with one live. I always return to the Jaguar; it’s ​incredibly versatile and meets all my needs.I can’t ​recall when I acquired the Strat,⁢ but I⁢ used it while making the demo for Sugar Plum, running it‍ through my Roland‍ JC-40 with the⁢ chorus engaged.

Preparing for the North american Tour

You’re ⁤gearing​ up for a major North American tour. How will you adapt the album for live performances?

The great thing is that we recorded these songs as live as possible,​ with minimal overdubs.​ Typically, you rehearse and ​strategize how to perform each song, but‍ we were blessed that everything sounded great from the start. Tracks like One thing ‌At A Time, ⁤which features‍ prominent guitar sections,​ will ‌be a blast to perform ⁣live.