Embracing Change: Barnett's New Sound and New Home
The Long-Awaited Return: Releasing 'Creature of Habit' After Five Years
Five years following her last traditional album, "Things Take Time, Take Time" (2021), Courtney Barnett reflects on the experience of launching her new work, "Creature of Habit." She mentions an instrumental album released more recently but notes it falls outside her main discography. After concluding her tour for the previous album, Barnett made the significant decision to move to America and close her Australian record label of 13 years, a challenging but necessary step that signaled a new chapter. This pivotal period allowed her to begin crafting the songs for her latest album in early 2023.
The Creative Sanctuary: Recording in Joshua Tree and Embracing the Desert
Barnett details the recording process for "Creature of Habit," explaining that she dedicated a full year to songwriting before setting another year to enter the studio. Her journey began at Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree, her local studio at the time. She describes the location as an excellent spot with a rich musical history, providing a peaceful and distraction-free environment that fostered reflection and writing. Although she now resides in Los Angeles, she expresses fondness for her time in the desert, which greatly influenced the album's creation.
Life in Los Angeles: A Blend of Nature and Urbanity
When asked about her connection to the desert, Barnett humorously states she can no longer claim to be a "desert person" as she has moved on. She shares her positive experiences in Los Angeles, highlighting her adoption of a dog and her enjoyment of hiking. She appreciates the city's balance of social life, access to friends, restaurants, and work, while still offering natural escapes like nearby hiking trails and Mount Baldy, which she found stunning.
Navigating Musical Communities: From Melbourne to LA
Barnett discusses the differences between the musical communities in Los Angeles and Melbourne. She notes that the scene in Melbourne has also evolved since she lived there. Having toured for a decade, she's built friendships in various places. She finds Los Angeles particularly vibrant, as many people in the industry either reside there or pass through, allowing her to connect with a strong network of musician friends.
Collaborations and Evolving Songwriting Approaches
Barnett expresses her delight in collaborating with Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield) on a track for "Creature of Habit." She recalls meeting Crutchfield around 2017, and their friendship grew through touring the festival circuit together. Barnett explains that she invited Crutchfield to contribute high harmony vocals to the song "Site Unseen" due to her exceptional vocal range, and Crutchfield readily agreed. Barnett also reflects on her songwriting process, noting that while her starting point remains consistent, the experience for "Creature of Habit" felt distinct, partly due to her personal growth and the passage of time since her last new, exciting compositions. She describes her writing method as constantly changing and evolving, typically involving her at a desk, with a guitar, or at a piano.
Finding Inspiration: The Allure of Vinyl Over Streaming
During the creation of the album, Barnett predominantly listened to older music. She admits to a subconscious fear of inadvertently incorporating new influences too obviously. She specifically mentions Paul McCartney, Marvin Gaye's "Midnight Love" (which she listened to on vinyl in the desert), and Harry Nilsson. Barnett prefers the deliberate experience of listening to vinyl over the overwhelming choices presented by streaming services, finding comfort in putting on familiar records to set a mood or seek inspiration.