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X-clusive: Carl Barât To Debut New Material

added 05 July 2005 at 09.19

While his ex-bandmate Pete Doherty jetsets around the world with Kate Moss, his former cohort Barât has been holed up writing material for his new solo project. However, after months of secrecy, Xfm can reveal the former Libs frontman hopes to debut his new material within weeks. 

“We’ll start gigging on a low-key level probably in a few weeks,” Barât revealed. The ex-Libs man also spilled the beans about his clubnight Dirty Pretty Things though conceded his first gigs, “Probably wouldn’t be there, it’s all kind of underground. But Graham Coxon and a few bands are playing on July 16. It’s gonna be good.”

Barât also spoke about writing the songs for his new project, confirmed there will be an album out before the end of the year and discussed the difference between the present and his time in The Libertines. 

“I always wrote songs on my own before we [The Libertines] started and mostly they were pretty dire, so that doesn’t really bode well for the future. It’s so good to be writing on my own again, just to have the freedom really. Being in a partnership gives you the kick up the arse factor, and that’s what I’ve been overcoming recently. 

“It’s been quite a slow process but I’ve started getting into that routine and got the confidence to do it as well. I’ve been playing with Gary [Powell], who was The Libertines’ drummer, and it’s really started coming hard and fast. There’s stuff I’m really excited about.

While Powell seems a sure fire cert to return to the drumstool, Barât explained, with Libs bassist John Hassall now in Yeti, his search for a full time bassplayer has been a struggle. 

“The chemistry’s so important,” he explained. “It’s really hard. I just don’t have the heart to tell someone I don’t want them to be in the band either. I’ve been through about forty bassplayers!” 

Just hours after Live 8 closed as the biggest musical event in history, Carl spoke about his former bandmate’s performance with Elton John and the event in particular. 

“It [Doherty’s duet] was a funny thing, and he’s a funny boy,” he commented, “But the whole of London felt like it was buzzing yesterday. On the South Bank there was this little festival. I caught a band called Funky Biscuit. People everywhere, it just felt like something was happening.” 

Speaking about his ‘Under The Influence’ CD, Barât spoke about his love of The Smiths and defended the sell-out allegations relating to putting his name to compilation album.

“I was worried about you asking me this. I thought you were going to say something like ‘Why have you done this?’ I don’t have any secret motive for doing it, it’s just a mixtape for the nation. 

“I got a phone call from a guy who said Bob Geldof, Ian Brown and a load of famous people are giving us a list of their favourite songs, we’ll sling you a few bob, and so I gave them my list and the next thing I know we’re onto sleeve-notes and some photos and the next thing you know I’ve put out an album!

“I’m a relative newcomer to The Smiths. Pete was always a big Smiths fan and he kind of got me into it. When I heard it at first I thought he [Morrissey] was, well, a bit of a miserable git, but he’s very eloquent, convincing. He’s got a right to be a miserable git.” 

Carl Barât brings Dirty Pretty Things to London club KOKO in Mornington Crescent on July 16. 

Live performances on the night include Graham Coxon, Metro Riots, Kill City and Pearl Lowe while DJ sets come from Carl Barât, Queens of Noize and the Tap n Tin Sailors. Games and raffles compared by comedian Russell Brand. 

Club night Young And Lost take over the upstairs room with Vincent Vincent, Ludes, Jamie T and Good Shoes playing acoustic sets, and DJ sets from Pyrrha Girls, Neill Villian, Team Mega Mix (Spilt Milk / Roland Shanks) Plus the Hanna !Wowow! Soundsystem. 

Tickets are available at £12 in advance from Ticketmaster.co.uk or £15 on the door.

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Jon Ford

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