Music

Courtney Barnett on Guns N’ Roses, Jack White and Ramen Inspiration

"I'm one of the most uncool people I know. I'm a dork," says Aussie singer-songwriter

March 29, 2016

Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy this past year Danny Clinch

A lot of my energy comes from anxiety and nerves. No matter how tired or sick I am, when I get onstage, I completely change. By the time I get off stage, I’m this big, sweaty, emotional mess. That’s why I need to clear my head as much as possible, reading and writing – and exercising – to get that serotonin swishing around.

You spent some time with Jack White at Third Man Records, and he produced a single for you. What was that like?
It was great. We talked a bunch, and I went through Third Man’s warehouse. It’s this little world of music lovers, all of them creating stuff in one place. I run a record label in Australia, and I’m a huge merch nerd, so it was inspiring. I’ve always been influenced by visual stuff. My dad worked at a printing factory, and I love logos. When I was younger, my parents wouldn’t let us go to McDonald’s, but I remember I painted a piece of paper yellow and drew an orange M on it and wrapped it up like it was a cheeseburger.

Speaking of visuals, I noticed you also like to post pictures of your colorful socks on Twitter.
I’ll usually have a theme. If I’m going to the zoo, then I’ll put on my koala socks. I have a pair with fish and chips on them, which I wear when I go to the beach. I have a pair of rainbow socks on right now. I pull them out if there’s some sort of gay occasion. It’s like this little secret that no one can see. 

You were a big Guns N’ Roses fan growing up, and now you are both playing at Coachella. Will you be watching them?
I’m definitely going to be there. I hope they do “November Rain,” I think it’s awesome. I’m not sure if it’ll actually be awesome – they broke up for a reason. To wish for bands to reunite is like wishing your divorced parents get back together: You’ll be happy, but they’ll be having a really bad time.

The subject of sexism in the music industry is getting a lot of attention in the wake of the Kesha-Dr. Luke lawsuit. Have you experienced it?
It’s an everyday thing. It happens to me in the smallest ways. Like when you walk into the venue, the people who work there assume that you’re a girlfriend or something and just ignore you and direct questions at your bandmates. It sucks that it still happens. But the tour we’re on right now is 70 percent women, which is awesome. I’ve never been in that situation before. It feels like it’s getting better. I’m lucky that if it happens to me it will get called out. 