Julian Casablancas on the Voidz, the Strokes and which way he’ll (probably) vote

As someone who has navigated through the complexities of both the music and political landscapes, I find myself standing at the intersection of cynicism and hope. The Democratic Party may not be the saintly entity many liberals yearn for, but it’s the lesser of two evils in this current political climate. The upsurge of optimism among liberals when Biden dropped out and Kamala Harris stepped in was a spectacle I observed with a mix of indifference and amusement.

Approximately twenty-five years ago, Julian Casablancas shot into rock fame with a snobbish charm as the shabbily chic lead vocalist of The Strokes. Despite numerous predictions of their downfall, the band has persisted and flourished, as evidenced by their 2020 album “The New Abnormal,” which earned them their first Grammy Award. This album was followed by a tour that saw them performing in arenas filled with audiences who weren’t even born when The Strokes released their critically acclaimed debut album, “Is This It.

Despite his continued involvement with the Strokes, Casablancas has recently appeared to prioritize his other group, the Voidz, whose third studio album, “Like All Before You,” was just released. This collection offers a mix of tender and ominous electronic rock tunes, layered with digital effects and reflecting on both personal and political breakdowns. Prior to their show at the Orpheum Theatre this Wednesday, Casablancas – who is 46 years old and has two children with his ex-wife – talked about the album and its themes during a dinner conversation atop East Hollywood’s Hotel Covell.

You want a drink? Do you drink?
No.

Did you make a deliberate decision about this?
Actually, it happened by chance, but it’s amusing – I don’t consume alcohol anymore, yet I find myself appreciating the taste. Previously, I would mindlessly drink, and now I’m surprised to discover: Wow, I really prefer this tequila over that one.

I arrived just as I had no desire left to drink it. Similarly, with cigarettes, I’d light one up for someone else, but I wouldn’t inhale it. Strangely, I find the experience of smoking now, even without inhalation, far more pleasurable than when I used to smoke myself.

Are you drawn towards using electronic cigarettes or vaping devices? While I used to find the old-school vaporizers for marijuana interesting, I don’t indulge in that anymore. However, modern vaping gadgets – not really. They seem more like baby soothers to me.

You miss drinking?
I miss the feeling of euphoria at the beginning. But she is an empty seductress.

×

Given that I’ve resided in both New York and Los Angeles, could it be that these cities express wealth and power in unique ways? Well, in LA, there’s a significant presence of wealthy individuals within the entertainment industry. In contrast, New York seems to have more corporate executives, if you catch my drift. I don’t socialize with them, but their affluent appearances are hard to miss as they go about their extravagant activities. To be honest, I find the artistic crowd in LA a bit intimidating.

You mean because you’re an artist.
Maybe, yeah.

In my adolescent years, “Yuppie Scum” was a common phrase, indicating wealth wasn’t particularly admired. However, if one had achieved success in music, say like Jim Morrison, it would have been deemed cool.

The term “yuppie scum” struck a chord with me. Growing up in Yorkville, essentially the Upper East Side, we were a bunch of rebellious teenagers. However, my focus was more on becoming a talented musician, emulating bands like Built to Spill or Guided by Voices who seemed to earn a living from touring as indie bands, which wasn’t really common then. Although bands I admired such as the Velvet Underground and Bob Marley didn’t necessarily glorify wealth, success was perhaps associated with it.

It appears that the new album by The Voidz tackles themes of divorce and the emotional upheaval associated with dismantling a family. This seems plausible, as upon recent listening I found myself reflecting on the lyrics’ depth. Interestingly, it’s often the case that I don’t fully grasp song meanings until much later, when I suddenly realize their relevance and significance. It’s almost like a personal message in a bottle, waiting to be understood.

Are you concerned with resonating with your listeners on an emotional level? After all, the purpose of writing lyrics is to strive for universality, as they are consumed by a diverse range of individuals. Ideally, you aim to touch their hearts and evoke inspiration within most of them.

Really?
I think the purpose of art is to inspire people. Is that controversial?

What could I suggest instead for encouragement? Stimulate their minds to visualize the optimal versions of things. Empower them to strive towards their aspirations. Validate the emotions within them that drive them to enhance their lives.

It seems to me that’s quite the contrast with how I personally enjoy music. You know, we all have our unique quirks. When music touches us deeply, it can be overwhelmingly powerful, stirring emotions within us, even sad ones. Yet, it often sparks a sense of determination in me: I feel like doing something significant. [Laughs]

This record has what I think is fair to call a reggae song.
“7 Horses”? I wouldn’t go there.

However, even though it might not be apparent, the drums were similar due to the inclusion of a hidden guitar track within the drum recording. Had I been able to, I would have removed it.

As a movie lover, I might ask: What’s the exploration or discovery The Voidz are striving for with their experimental music? In simpler terms, what new sounds and styles are they trying to create that haven’t been heard before?

You’ve been a strong advocate for Bernie Sanders. It was surprising to see how far Bernie and President Biden went in this election, and I’m curious about your perspective on that. Frankly, I think his strategy is questionable, as it seems odd that those who seem aware of the corporate system still back the Democratic Party, which often appears to be controlled by wealthy individuals. I just can’t fathom what benefit the Democratic Party holds for Bernie that I don’t see.

Did you feel completely indifferent when Biden stepped down and Harris took over, given that it aligns perfectly with how the Democratic National Committee functions, as they seem to favor a candidate who wasn’t chosen by popular vote?

Are you planning to cast your vote tomorrow? Despite my belief that the differences between the two parties on policy matters are negligible, I think it’s prudent to do so, given the slim possibility that Trump may attempt to extend his term indefinitely. In light of this concern, voting against him seems like a wise choice.

At what point in history can we trace the influence of money shaping politics?

It’s quite ironic when Democrats emphasize the importance of democracy preservation, considering the current uncertainty about President Trump stepping down. This situation seems likely to shock many into taking action and truly realizing the importance of our democratic system.

Does the endeavor of shedding light on people feel invigorating or monotonous?

How about discussing the idea of enlightening your kids, seeing as they’re still relatively uninfluenced by societal narratives, especially since their school environment may subtly attempt to shape their perspectives. They aren’t yet regular readers of news either, which makes it challenging not to be exposed to corporate-driven news on mobile devices – a near impossibility.

What kind of music do your kids listen to?
Phonk.

Funk?
No, Russian phonk. P-H-O-N-K. It’s like weird social media music.

As a film enthusiast, I often share my favorite movies with them. Their tastes are quite eclectic, if I may say so myself.

Do you ever find yourself yearning for aspects of collaboration with The Voidz, while also missing certain elements when working with The Strokes? And similarly, do you miss anything about your time with The Strokes when working with The Voidz? It’s a tricky question as I don’t want to offend anyone by comparing the two.

I assume that means you miss the Voidz.
Sometimes, yeah.

Does performing Strokes shows make you feel like you’re promoting a mind-numbing atmosphere?
No, because I believe I express political ideas in the Strokes songs now, and I’ve always done so to some extent. Perhaps this is not as obvious to many Strokes fans, which could be why I’ve distanced myself a bit. However, I view it as an enriching part-time job that I appreciate, so I don’t see it in a negative light. If it consumed so much of my time that I couldn’t engage in positive activities, then I would. But I manage to avoid letting it reach that point. At least, I hope I do; I might be deceiving myself on that matter.

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2024-10-16 23:01