Jack Carty Why The Universe Expands Interview

The World, When It's Sleeping

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Jack Carty has released his single, "Why The Universe Expands", taken off his upcoming EP, The World, When It's Sleeping.

The song - and the EP - was written between the UK and Australia in 2018 as Carty was anticipating the birth of his first child. The introspective music reflects this time, and came amongst one of the most fruitful songwriting periods of his career.

Interview with Jack Carty

Question: How would you describe your music?

Jack Carty: I guess it's a lyrical, indie-folk type thing.


Question: Can you tell us about Why The Universe Expands?

Jack Carty: It's about the joy, wonder, fear and incredible love that goes along with becoming a new parent.


Question: What can you share about your upcoming EP, The World, When It's Sleeping?

Jack Carty: It's a five-song EP that will be release on the 24th of April. It was recorded between London and Brisbane during the busiest year of my life and I think it represents some of the best music I've ever made. I'm really excited to share it with you guys.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Jack Carty: I guess that changes from song to song. Someone told me once that they found my music hopeful… that even in the sad songs there is always a ray of light. I think that's probably true and it's something I can get behind more and more the longer I do this.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Jack Carty: Both are wonderful, exciting and completely different ways of being and I love each for different reasons. I love the adventure, spontaneity and instant feedback of playing live - the people you meet and the travel that goes along with it all. But I also love diving deep into the creative space that you can create when recording, where you just get lost in ideas and inspiration for days.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Jack Carty: Lately it's been a song called 'Oh Imagination' from my new EP 'The World, When It's Sleeping'. I'm really proud of that song and it resonates with me every time I play it - even more than usual. Plus the guitar part is really fun to play.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Jack Carty: Maybe Paul McCartney? It would be pretty amazing to meet a Beatle!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Jack Carty: Telling the truth.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?
Jack Carty: We have a baby in our household right now, so I've not had the time to go hunting for much new music lately. We've been listening to a lot of The Beatles, Chopin, Radiohead and Jeff Tweedy's solo album 'Warm' - it's a beautiful record.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Jack Carty: I was always completely obsessed with music, my parents had a big record collection and songs really affected me from a young age. From as early as I can remember I knew I wanted to learn how they worked, and how to write them myself. From about 14 onwards it felt like something I was compelled to do.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Jack Carty: I've collaborated with heaps of artists I love over the years - people like Josh Pyke, Katie Noonan, Emily Barker, Dan Wilson and Blair Dunlop. Making music with other people is some of the best fun you can have.

If I could choose anyone in the world to collaborate with I think it would have to be Conor Oberst - I just love his songwriting so much.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Jack Carty: Finding the balance between stability and creativity. I'm someone who needs both to feel fulfilled, and it's an ongoing project.


Question: What's a typical day like?
Jack Carty: Wake up, make breakfast for my son and a coffee for myself and play with him until my wife Tash wakes up. Then I'm off to my studio to write and record - or if it's a show day, I'm off to the airport to get where I need to go.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Jack Carty: The wonderful, inspirational people, artists and communities I've been blessed to get to know and be a part of through music, and the opportunities to explore the world doing what I love, whilst (hopefully) giving back along the way.


Question: What's next, for you?

Jack Carty: I'll be releasing my new EP "The World, When It's Sleeping" on April 24. We were going to be touring solidly for the rest of 2020 - but those shows have all been postponed to a later time, for obvious reasons.

In the meantime I will be live-streaming concerts from my house via my Facebook page every week or so. You can check my social media channel or website for the dates.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Jack Carty: Facebook
@jackcarty/


Interview by Brooke Hunter