When making ‘Deadbeat,’ Kevin Parker wanted to be ‘free from sonic perfection’

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Tame Impala’s work is significant to many.

From the adventurous sounds of “Mind Mischief” on his 2012 album “Lonerism,” to the enduring popularity of “The Less I Know the Better” from “Currents,” Kevin Parker’s unique style has greatly influenced both other musicians and the direction of music itself.

Look, I’ve been thinking about this artist a lot, and it’s clear his unique sound – a blend of psychedelic rock, synth-pop, and dream pop, just to name a few influences – has either inspired a whole wave of similar musicians, or, frankly, they’re all just copying him. Either way, he’s definitely had a huge impact on the current music scene.

But he doesn’t exactly hear it as such.

He acknowledges he has a very recognizable style when writing melodies and building songs. He says that while his work sometimes sounds similar to Tame Impala, it’s usually not obvious enough for people to point it out.

“Do you have any kids?” he asks.

He says people often comment that his daughter is the spitting image of him, but he doesn’t see the resemblance. He explains, ‘I just see a child.’ He compares it to recognizing his own music in other people’s work – it’s hard to notice qualities in something you created yourself.

He actually hopes people would see connections in his work. “It would be nice to think I had some impact,” he says with a laugh.

Look, even if you’re not a huge fan, you can’t deny this artist has had some serious success. His last two albums, “Currents” and “The Slow Rush,” both landed in the Top 5 here in the US, which is pretty impressive. And “Borderline,” the first single from “The Slow Rush,” actually went platinum – that’s a lot of copies sold!

He won a Grammy last year for his dance/electronic collaboration with Justice, the song “Neverender.”

Given how well he’s been doing, some people might be surprised that Parker chose to do something different with his new project, “Deadbeat.”

I’ve been diving into the new music, and the lead single, “End of Summer,” is pure Tame Impala – a sprawling, over seven-minute track that really lets you get lost in the sound. But what struck me is how much more relaxed it feels compared to Kevin Parker’s earlier work. It might surprise some longtime fans, but from what I gather, this looser approach was actually incredibly liberating for him.

He explains that trying something new is often unsettling at first, but ultimately feels freeing.

Another analogy.

Trying something new is a bit like deciding to stop caring about your appearance – it can be freeing and enjoyable, but also a little daunting. That mix of fun and fear is what makes it thrilling.

Artists constantly face a challenge: should they create what their fans expect, or focus on what they themselves want to express?

“It’s a tricky one,” he adds. “I think a lot about that.”

He relates this situation to being a fan of Kings of Leon. The rock band, originally from Tennessee, experienced a clear shift in their career with the release of their third album, “Because of the Times.”

Instead of continuing with the folksy, Southern rock style of their earlier work, the band shifted towards a more modern sound. This change gained them attention in the UK and helped launch them on the path to wider recognition.

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Parker felt deeply betrayed and expressed disbelief that others had compromised their values, feeling as though they had ‘sold out.’

It took me a while to understand they were simply following their own passions. If they’d tried to please everyone else, it wouldn’t have felt genuine or satisfying creatively.

When Parker began working on “Deadbeat,” he changed his usual process. Unlike his earlier albums, he decided on a strict start time for working on it.

He describes the songwriting process as somewhat undefined, explaining he simply gathers ideas whenever he has them. It’s always felt like he’s in the process of creating an album, rather than working towards a specific deadline.

“Deadbeat” was subsequently a “fast” process for him, comparatively.

Perhaps more importantly, he also tried to set himself “free from sonic perfection.”

He remembers always being very detail-oriented with his music, to the point where everything had to be just right.

This is especially noticeable on the album’s opening track, “My Old Ways.” It begins with a slightly indistinct recording of Parker playing the piano, a departure from how he usually starts his songs.

He knew immediately that the song should be the first track on the album. He felt it was perfect to begin with a rough recording of him playing piano. He explains that this was his way of pushing himself to break free and create.

He still enjoys the little things, like working late in the studio. Luckily, having a studio at his Los Feliz home makes those late nights much simpler.

He explains that having his studio at home allows him to work late into the night, whenever inspiration strikes. He describes it as his personal sanctuary and a source of joy.

I think what’s really interesting about Parker is how easily distracted he can be, but he actually sees that as a good thing – one of the perks of being a solo artist, I guess. He really tries to focus when he’s working, and honestly, even with two kids, the music often takes priority. It’s just where his passion lies.

He explained that his creative process is very important to him. Despite having responsibilities like raising children, he makes a point of keeping those separate from his work.

Ultimately, making great music is my main focus, and sometimes that means it needs to come first.

Despite the album’s title, he’s a dedicated father. He and Sophie Lawrence have a great way of working together when it comes to raising their child.

When I’m really focused on making an album, it completely takes over my life – I work on it constantly. I try to be a good dad and husband, but sometimes I have to really dedicate myself to the music, and thankfully we have people who help us with the kids.

That way, music is “just as intense,” for him; it’s a way of work that “I like to embrace.”

Parker explains that the title, “Deadbeat,” carries a meaning that’s a bit different from how the word is usually understood.

He describes it as a sense of detachment from everything around you – feeling like you can’t keep pace with modern life. He also wants to clarify that the album title, ‘Deadbeat,’ isn’t related to becoming a parent; that wasn’t his inspiration.

He understands that people will interpret things based on their own perspectives, and he’s made peace with that.

He explains that once you share your work – whether it’s lyrics, stories, or even just ideas – you can’t control how others will understand it. He’s okay with people interpreting his album, ‘Deadbeat,’ as being about irresponsible fathers, even if that wasn’t his original intention.

He admits people will understand the term differently and isn’t going to argue about what ‘deadbeat’ means, adding with a chuckle that it’s open to interpretation.

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2025-10-17 13:37