Bartees Strange: New Music, creative influences, and a Friendship with Jack Antonoff
Bartees Strange, the acclaimed musician, recently shared insights into his creative process and future projects while at Reading Festival. He’s currently gearing up for a new recording phase, promising a shift in sonic direction.
Strange revealed a fascination with the innovative soundscapes of Radiohead. He described discovering them through television appearances,sparking a long-term admiration.”With the TV stuff, I was like, ‘This feels like hearing Radiohead or something,'” he explained. “I don’t know how they’re doing it and I have to see it.”
He plans to begin recording in January, aiming for a more stripped-down approach. Strange feels he’s explored expansive production techniques and is now ready to focus on simplicity. “I’ve kinda done all I need to do with the big stuff,” he stated. “Everyone knows I can produce; I can make a thing sound cool. I’m gonna do something small.”
This upcoming record will likely be a self-produced endeavor, though he intends to share it with a close friend: Jack Antonoff. Their relationship has evolved beyond professional collaboration into a genuine friendship. “I’m just gonna do it how I always do it,” Strange said. “I’ll probably start it by myself.I’m definitely gonna show it to Jack, just ’cause we’re friends.”
He anticipates a collaborative, open-minded response from Antonoff.strange expects any feedback to be a springboard for further exploration. “If jack had notes, my response would be: ‘Oh, cool – let’s play with it.'”
Here’s a quick look at what we know about Bartees Strange’s upcoming work:
Recording Timeline: January
Sonic Direction: Simple, stripped-down
Production: Primarily self-produced, with input from Jack Antonoff
Collaboration: A focus on open-minded experimentation and friendship-driven feedback.
I’ve found that artists often reach a point where they want to pare back and focus on the core of their songwriting. Strange’s desire to create something “small” suggests a desire for intimacy and authenticity in his next release. It’s a refreshing perspective in an era often dominated by maximalist production.
This new direction promises a compelling chapter in Strange’s already impressive career. You can expect a record that’s both deeply personal and creatively adventurous.
Worth a look