Inside the Clash: an Interview with Carmela Carr
To describe Carmela Carr as a music aficionado would be putting it lightly. Armed with extensive knowledge on all things classic rock, vinyl, and industry lore, it’s hard to not become immediately engrossed in all that she has to say. Luckily, Carr doesn’t mind if you find yourself lost in the wonderful world of Generation Clash. In fact, she’d actually prefer it. GC has been ruminating in her brain since she listened to her first Kiss record. What started out as a blog to connect with fellow music lovers, has metamorphosed into a fully-fledged book, released in 2020. The novel, which has been met with positive critical reception, details her journey of self discovery through music. And if there’s anything that just about all of us can agree on, it’s the fact that sometimes it’s easier to say things with a song.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with us today. I want to jump right into the beginning of the novel. From the start, you mention specific artists that made an impact on you during your upbringing. (Kiss, Red Hot Chili Peppers, etc.) Do you believe that the path your life has followed would have gone the same way, had you not been introduced to this music?
[CARR:] I think that if I wasn’t introduced to the music that impacted me, I would’ve probably been more into what society thought was popular. Without it, I wouldn’t have had an outlet to find out about music that wasn’t in the mainstream.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Yeah, I completely get what you mean. Now, you mention your love of vinyl records a lot. And though they are still popular, the process of absorbing music is very different from how it used to be. Even 10 years ago, the landscape of downloading your favorite songs was nothing like it is today. Do you think that the age of Spotify and Apple Music has taken meaning away from the listening experience?
[CARR:] I think that Spotify and Apple Music have changed our listening experience by promoting listening to songs instead of albums. Even though there are a lot of great albums, we’re more likely to choose one song to listen to because it’s easier to listen to one song than it is to a whole album. It’s a bad mindset to have because you’re more likely to overlook full albums because there’s one song you really like.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Your chosen method of listening is a bit different, right?
[CARR:] I listen to music on CD, vinyl, and my offline Blackberry (it has MP3s and WMA files). I don’t only listen to music in one way. Since I have a music blog, I use Spotify to add songs from my favorite records to my playlists so I can promote newer and older music.
[UNPUBLISHED:] That’s a really unique way of diversifying your music experience. Similarly to the rapid changes that have been made when it comes to streaming, lots of things are different about the music industry itself. You will often hear older artists talk about how ingenuine the act of being a musician is in the 21st century. Do you feel the same way?
[CARR:] I feel that the best way to be in the music industry is to be independent. There are countless artists who are releasing their own music instead of getting a record deal and having to conform to be popular. This happens because the industry has a priority for creating mainstream artists, rather than promote people who are unique and making music that is worth listening to. There is a lack of diversity in the music industry and there’s no reason why everyone can’t be promoted. Any act that is known is because they are being promoted, any act that isn’t is because they aren’t.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Are there any current artists that you feel have mastered the art of releasing their work in an authentic way?
[CARR:] I think that my favorite modern act is Palaye Royale. They’re unique. They don’t try to be people they aren’t to get noticed. They embrace being different instead of fighting it.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I love that description. It makes me wonder, do you think there’s something that music and its culture can teach us about people and human connection that nothing else can?
[CARR:] I think that music can teach us about life. I pay attention to the lyrics in all the music I listen to, which has led me to notice a lot of relatable messages that help me understand life better. That makes me feel like I’m not alone, or I’m not the only one who feels a certain way.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I feel that way with a lot of my favorite music too. I think it has such a powerful ability to bring so many different types of people together. Which brings me to my next question. I wouldn’t be able to interview you without asking for some music recommendations. I’m interested to know, what is your favorite song to listen to when you're having a bad day? The best song to listen to when you're going through heartbreak?
[CARR:] Lately, if I’m in a bad mood, Black Cars by Gino Vannelli makes me feel better. And when I feel heartbroken, I love listening to Pain and Pleasure by Judas Priest.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What about 3 songs that you think should be automatically downloaded onto everybody's listening devices? In other words, what are 3 songs that you feel everybody should know?
[CARR:] 49er by Riot, Painted On by Mother May I, and Hold On To The Night by Starz.