INTERVIEW
David Carter talks candidly to SUR in English about being in Recovery and his passions and ambitions
23.07.10 - 12:50 -
Starstruck. David Patrick Carter enjoying a jam. Chrisna Herbst
David’s first studio album in 1997 was a selection of original songs produced by garage maestros ‘Artful Dodger’; whilst his second album ‘The Van Demon’ was made with celebrated world music producer Colin Smith. David also recorded, in the renowned Sunset Studios in Cape Town, his live acoustic album ‘The Sunset Sessions’.
Carter paid his way through university by impersonating Robbie Williams in the ‘Take That’ tribute band ‘Bonsai’, but the group ditched him in a Welsh Butlins resort on New Year's Eve 1998, after he allegedly punched Gary Barlow on stage!
If music is one of your greatest passions in life, what else sets the heart racing and the adrenalin pumping?
I love most extreme sports! I was in South Africa where we filmed the video for my track ‘Fruitcake You're a Star’, and I had to jump out of a plane in tandem and that definitely got the blood pumping! I am a keen snow boarder and skier and spent a season in the French Alps playing music and learning French. I also canoe, surf, white water raft, and love hiking. I’ve done all sorts of things from climbing mountains in Sri Lanka, to scuba diving in Thailand!
With previous album names like, ‘Thirteen Steps to Recovery’ and ‘The Recovery Program’, it begs the question; what is the personal resonance of these titles?
I am in recovery - I should be dead yet I have the gift of life. I struggled for many years, after the death of my parents in 1999, with addiction to drugs, alcohol and sex. I thought if I eliminated those things from my life then I would get better; but I realised that these things were never my problem, but indicative of other issues I had to address - I have been clean for three years.
The Mediterranean climate is a big part of your life, with time spent between Spain, France and South Africa; is it a source of inspiration?
Inspiration can also be from friends, collaborators – everything, but right now I feel I am going through a period of ‘non-inspiration’!
Are you are a fiercely independent music maker; or would you be willing one day to sign with a major label and play the corporate music game?
No, in fact I have been signed once before and have a label lined up in London for the next album.
Do your children look to be following in their father’s musical footsteps?
My little six year old daughter plays the guitar, whilst my son wants to be a singer or a football player. They’re incredible and I love them.
Do you have a regular collaborator in terms of writer, producer or muse?
Not really, although I have just started working with a guy called Keith Bradshaw - so we will have to wait and see how that works out. Musically, John Lennon was my first hero and I have been lucky enough in my career to work and collaborate with some inspiring artists including the likes of Colin Smith (‘Noisettes’), John Clayton (‘Big Cat’), Mark Hill (‘Artful Dodger’), Dave Wibberley (‘Stereophonics’), and Richard Engler (‘Mercury Rev’).
What and when was your music break?
When I worked with Mark Hill from ‘Artful Dodger’.
Tell us the background to your new album, ‘Millionaire’s Playground’ featuring the track, ‘Starstruck’.
It's based on my feeling that by being born, we’ve won the jackpot; life is such a precious gift that we’re so lucky to enjoy it.
What ambitions remain to be fulfilled?
My ambition is to be happy, peaceful and full of love. I want to continue to produce, record and play music, as well as give away as much music as possible online.
What are your forthcoming performance dates on the Costa this summer?
Readers may already have seen me play at Buddha Beach, Polo House, Albert’s and The Beach House. I also play every Thursday at Terra Sana (Golden Mile) as part of the ‘After Dark’ jam session; details can be found on my website. I am also giving away a free download of ‘Starstruck’ when readers register their email.
