Carus - A True Believer

As he gets set to head off across Australia with good mates Rob Sawyer and Loren in tow, with an all but complete new album tucked under his arm, Carus took some time out for a quick chat with The Dwarf.
So you’re home for Xmas, what have you been up to o/s?
I have been mainly touring in the UK supported this guy called SETH LAKEMAN. He’s sort of a cross over contemporary folk artist. Plays violin, sings and also tenor guitar. A great songwriter and a brilliant artist all round. He’s just been signed to RELENTLESS RECORDS an arm of EMI. The same label as KT Tunstall so it was a great tour as there was a big big buzz around him, the next big thing sort of vibe. Played 14 shows in all to crowds of 600 - 800 all through the UK. Definitely an amazing opportunity because unlike when you support Aussie act over there it was all English crew, and with all the Australians living in London it can be hard to get to them. It’s also great to be around an artist when all the things come into alignment: label, fan base, great songs etc. I remember feeling the same opening for Missy Higgins; a real sense of excitement as you can feel that it’s happening, and no one ever knows how big it’s going to go really. Then I’ve just filled in a week with some of my own shows in Germany, Amsterdam and Switzerland. It’s been great. My headline show in London sold, that I am playing the day before I get home sold out two weeks before the show so that’s great too. Definitely achieved what I wanted, as after this Seth tour there is a real opportunity to bust through into the UK touring circuit. I am pretty sure we have picked up a UK agent, and it looks like a bunch of summer festivals over here too. Sold a heap of records and made some new fans, but it’s no endless summer that’s for sure. Pretty damn cold really!
The Roots Roadshow looks to be a big party. How did it all come about?
It’ll be a great party! Rob, Loren and I are all good mates. We are all on the same independent acoustic- roots trip. Id also like to think that we have all built our reputations on the strength of our live shows, so it made sense to join forces and see out 2006 with a bang. Multi band tours don’t happen much, that’s because for one logistically it’s so hard to organise (11 people - flights, hotels, vans!!!) and also because normally there’s egos etc to content with who headlines all that crap. We are all such good friends that all that stuff is never a problem so we can do things like this. We all just want to make it happen. It’s also been such a great year for all our respective careers. Rob released his first album, Loren did too, and both of their fan bases have tripled since the beginning of the year. It feels like a great way to top it all off. Also at the end of the year crew are in such a party mood so we figured lets give em a bill to party too! It’s gonna be a big one!
Do you play a bit of a fatherly/mentor role around Rob and Loren?
Ha Ha, That’s a great question. Ill have to tell them. They’ll love it. Prefer to think of myself as a Don Cor Leone of Indie music. No just kidding. But seriously I guess with Rob he played one of his first Melbourne gigs supporting me about 4 years ago I think. He was just this young kid who played blistering guitar. Me and my whole band were blown away and I guess in some sense a part of me has wanted to nurture him a bit. Just because you can already tell he is going to be huge. As a musician he is just so amazing and I guess that something that when you see it you really want to protect. He’s a true musician.. he can play anything and he loves it. I think everyone who comes into contact feels this in some way. He is so talented that you really want to make sure that he doesn’t ever get bitter and loose interest or be taken advantage of. I’d like to think that his continued growth as a songwriter is some how down to me but I think that’s just a testament to how good Rob is. That is the most interesting thing that’s happening to him as an artist. He’s really growing the song writing arm. He’s not just a roots stomp box guy, he can write a great tune too. With Loren, the two of us have been connected for a long time. From when we played together as Motherfunk in WA: Also the way we met, at the wake for his cousin and my best friend. So there’s something else there too. Loren is another amazing musician too. I have learnt a lot about both singing and song writing from him. And I guess I really believe in him as an artist so I want to help him as much as I can. Because I know one day he will be hugely successful. Our paths will always be joined, both as musicians and friends and that really pleases me. It’ll make this whole trip into something more than just a personal career as we really are in this together. If one of us makes it we all will.
But the short answer is I have been doing this for a long time. So I do try and share what I’ve learnt with those guys, the good bits and the bad bits.. Also things like this really see us put our lot in together to make it happen for all of us. And its great to feel a part of something. I guess it’s a movement of independent songwriters of sorts.
Does this mini-festival-tour format suit you? Or would you rather a few less people in the van?
With these guys it’s no problem at all. They are such awesome people to be around and they make it all so much easier with the energy they bring to it. Like I said above there’s also no ego problems, we are all on the same mission To make a great night of music and create a wonderful experience for the crew that rock up and buy tickets. When you tour with a band there’s always 5 people anyway. Its a little bit more organising but in some ways the more the merrier! You certainly get treated a lot better at airports and stuff! The think you’re in Pete Murray’s league!
You’re also playing a few shows out west, aren’t you sick of touring yet?
I still love touring. And heading home is always good. We have a huge following back over there so it alway goes off. Touring is just part of the independent muso, there’s no other way to make it happen. Sometimes I get tired but the energy of what you are doing always pulls you through. I love playing live, its where I am most comfortable and I don’t think ill ever stop doing it.
Both these treks seem to be with some old friends of yours, how do you rate the state of play in the world of oz musicians?
Oz musos are taking over the world. Seriously. John Butler is cranking if France and the US. Xavier is doing really well in the states too and also Europe. Then of course there band like JET and Wolfmother also doing awesome things. I think there is something very unique about Australian acts; part of it is a sincerity I think. Being an arrogant rock star wanker doesn’t get you very far in Oz so I think most performers really have to just put it out there and put a lot of their real personality out there, as pretentiousness just doest wash with the Aussie crowd. Also as we have such a cranking healthy local scene Aussie acts are also very seasoned and accomplished live performers. If you can’t cut it live you don’t get anywhere. I think this really stands out Overseas, you can’t invent a great live act, it has to be learned through gigs in bar, clubs and festivals. Especially in Europe now Australians are getting a rep for being artists and bands that will turn it on, whatever it takes. And I think we should be proud of that and very thankful to all the original hard touring rockers; bands like ACDC, Midnight Oil and INXS that set this whole thing up, the really high standard of live performance that we have, and is expected by the average pub going punter in OZ.
How goes that March 2007 release?
It’s looking pretty good. We have started recording at Atlantis studios in Melbourne with Things Of Stone And Wood ("Happy Birthday Helen") front man Greg Arnold producing. We've really stepped up the production, laying it all down to 2 inch tape and it’s also a great big, impressive studio. We’ve done three songs that we’re really happy will. feels like a big step up and in Late December we’ll another 4, then hopefully finish the record with another session in mid- January. Greg and I will fly to Nashville in February to mix with Brad Jones who just did the Bob Evans record. I loved his production on a Josh Rouse record called "Nashville" and all the Bob record so I think he’s the guy to mix my album and take it all to the next level. I really want to make a great record and I think the Americans just get that rootsy, acoustic, raw sound better than anyone. There’s certainly no one in Oz who I think can get that Neil Young sort of acoustic tone anyway. Its looking like it might be pushed back to April though as we have signed a deal in the UK with Proper Records and we want to do a simultaneous release with the UK and OZ (well be touring there in Late April May). So It will probably be released in Oz to coincide with us playing all the Blues & Roots festivals. Also records always take longer than you think so its good to have some time up your sleeve. But it’s definitely happening and it will definitely be on the shelves in April.
Has it been as good as you thought working with Greg Arnold?
It’s been amazing! I can’t believe I have done so many records without a producer before. It’s just great to have that outside objective opinion, and to have the extra input and creativity from someone you trust just means you make a better record. Greg is also a great songwriter, so him and I spent a lot of time sitting down and really working on the songs. He’s good for pulling out the shit, and has a great head for arrangement. Pop is not always a dirty word and there’s is a lot to be said for taking out the self indulgence in a song. Sometimes you don’t need that extra verse, and sometime you need to go to a bridge to give people a bit of variation. Greg also has a great energy, he’s a real up-viber and that’s a big help in the studio. It’s hard to keep focused for 10 hours, but when you have a producer who’s on it, they can keep the focus up so you can relax between takes, think about what you’ve got to play or sing, and know that they are keeping the ball rolling.
What do you mean by the next album being “make or break”? It all sounds very ominous.
It is very ominous, but that’s the truth. I certainly do feel a lot of pressure with this record. Everything is in place with this band. We have a great live following, we have a lot of industry respect and cred. People want us to do well. But we have never really delivered a record that follows through on our potential. I mean I am proud of our releases and to a Carus & True Believer fan they all have their own things that make each record special. But we need that record that is undeniable and will just bust through and make people go “wow!” both here and increasingly I am realising what is required to bust through overseas. With my deal in the UK now I have a support base there that’s ready to make a crack at it, as long as they are given a record that stands up. So if we can make a great record it will also happen for us. You can only take things so far with the live thing, you need that great record. I know that the Australian industry (magazines, radio, press etc) know my story and know how hard I have worked, and we’ve had OK reviews for our previous releases. But in a sense I really feel like I’ve got one more show with them. If we don’t rip it out on this one it might be the last chance they give us for that great review or that big radio push. I think the fans will always be there, they’ll dig the records we make and come to the shows, but when it comes to the industry you really only get so many chances. It’s also about myself and feeling that I have reached my potential. I know I have a great record inside me. I know I can deliver it, and to feel like I could do it but never do would just make me feel like a bit of a failure to be honest.

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