MSBands exclusive: Julian Casablancas Interview

He’s slightly soaked from the downpour of rain & hail along with his classic hair being murdered from the combination of the wet/windy storm. He is wearing some type of Tee that you would see on Threadless.com which features dozens of candy-red balloons on a faded blue Tee… But it works for him.

I, of course, did not have any interview scheduled with him but knew he would be here around this time (Around 6 PM) . I acted cool, calm & casual (even though I was aware I was thinking “HOLY SHIT JULIAN CASABLANCAS!!!”) when I went up to him & asked him if I could borrow his time for a few minutes for my Seattle Music Blog. He said “Yeah kid, no problem. What can I do?”

Me: Pretty much your solo debut is fantastic. It’s ranked one of the top 10 most blogged about artists on HypeM.com . Your album is the top 10 in every local record store in Seattle I have been inside within the past week & the best part is your voice hasn’t changed. I just wanted to say ‘congrats’ & am wondering how it feels? To know you can make it on your own.

Julian has a small, keen smile & his eyebrows seemed to have up gained some personality.

Julian: Thanks, first off. Its nice knowing people care. I don’t like being some sellout who just changes his voice to -make- money. The other members tried out their own thing & did a nice job of it & I figured “what am I doing & why am I not doing my own project too”. It started out last year more as just a couple weeks in the studio to make one song -Ludlow St.- & everyone liked it. I realized “What am I waiting for. I am going to make an album”. A few months later I really had something & …here I am.

Ludlow St., New York City.

Julian looks like he has plenty of time & makes it very easy to talk to him without worrying about his celebrity status or him losing interest.

Me: Haha that’s one of my favorite songs. My favorite artist is Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) & I read somewhere you worked with Mike Mogis (producer & artist for many Bright Eyes albums) on this last album?

Julian: Yeah Mike is extremely good at what he does. His style was used for lots of the loops which are featured on most of the songs for ‘Phrazes For The Young’. I actually was listening to some Bright Eyes earlier today… I think it was something like… ‘Woke up this morning”…

Being the Bright Eyes fanatic I am I am quick to finish his sentence.

Me: “Woke Up With a Song In My Head This Morning.”?

Julian: Haha yeah. Definitely like his lyrics & melodies. Conor is a talented guy as well.

Me: Well I am not a professional but this should be enough to give a few readers some nice virtual time with you Julian. No more questions but thanks a ton for your time. I’ll see you on the 22nd (When he comes back to Seattle to play at the Showbox).

Julian: Yeah kid. No problem. Make sure to say ‘hey’ when you are there.

I shook his hand & walked out of the hotel… Looked down at my notepad, smiled & got on the bus. The bus drove past as I saw this guy checking into the hotel… Like some normal guy that was simply caught in the storm.

Here’s a few free MP3s by Julian Casablancas.

I Wish It Was Christmas Today (Christmas Single)

Ludlow St.