For a man who’s seen it all, you wouldn’t expect pre-show jitters to still be a concern for Carl Barât. Channelling his best Steve Martin in Airplane, he admits it’s something he’s accustomed to: “Yeah, I’m used to being terrified!”
Nervous energy means the words are flying from his mouth as though his tongue can scarcely keep up with his brain. Hanging backstage at London’s Scala, ahead of a homecoming gig for his new band – Carl Barât & The Jackals – the trepidation is unfounded. A few hours later he’ll showcase what could reasonably be called his best work outside of The Libertines, his uncanny knack of rolling everything from British imperialism to drunken binges into one sonically engaging tapestry to the fore.
“This project was something of a test-tube baby approach,” he explains. “We had auditions, which in itself was strange. There was 1000 people we listened to – some more likely to make it in than others! – but we ended up with about 100 playing in London.
“I knew what I wanted. A lot of it is down to personality, and balancing things; you shouldn’t have four Jim Morrisons...” He pauses and grins:
“Actually, you’re probably best not having any! Once I got to know the three guys, though, and we focused on a common goal, any weirdness disappeared. It’s now like any band I’ve been in.”
Indeed, Let It Reign, the full-length debut from the new combo, is at times pretty familiar. Fizzing, fuzzy, and fervently fiery, it crackles with the rebellious charm we’ve come to expect from the 36-year-old.
“It’s definitely a defiant record. If I say ‘political’, then it suggests I’m taking a position with regards to policies and stuff, and that’s not what it’s about. It’s reflective of a time where we’re controlled more and more, and the 1984, Brave New World idea is inching closer and closer.”
While that defiant voice shines through on ‘Victory Gin’, ‘A Storm Is Coming’ and opener ‘Glory Days’, there’s also glimpses of a decidedly introspective Barât; ‘Beginning To See’ and the standout ‘War Of The Roses’ find him in reflective mood.
“It’s do or die with that stuff,” he reasons. “You let it eat you up inside, or you let it out. That’s one side of it anyway. On the other hand, anger is a beautiful energy to have. It’s a vehicle for creativity.”
Between political musings and a sense of anger, I can’t help but ask about the UK elections. Carl smiles as he shrugs it off.
“I don’t care, man – I’m off to Thailand for the next month.”
The recent south-east Asian adventure was the elephant in the dressing room, so we might as well address it; how go The Libertines?
“We’re jumping for joy, really,” he enthuses. “This thing we thought was fucked is actually in perfect working order! We’re ready to get the record done.” He hesitates, as though hearing it for the first time: “Never thought I’d hear myself say that in this lifetime!”
With the new effort with Messrs Doherty, Hassall and Powell pencilled in for release before 2015 is out (“not to tempt fate,” Carl chuckles), it seems like everything is happening at once. Not, mind, that that’s anything new.
“My life is a series of notebooks with the first four pages filled out,” he smiles. “Occasionally I go back, thinking ‘Maybe I really should get to the end of the jotter!’”
For now, though, juggling commitments is treating him just fine.
“It’s what I’ve always done,” he says. “I try to keep things somewhat separate, just cos it gets confusing otherwise! But it’s not all huge gigs and the massive stage. I like the changes. If I’m honest, I think I’d miss either one.”