Carpark: the lost art of being average
Mark my words, Carpark is destined to dominate the alternative music scene in 2024, securing a spot among the genre’s top rankings. And I’m sure is not a coincidence they were opening for The Libertines (hrmmm…) in the last couple of weeks. This dynamic trio, comprised of English/Irish – and easy going – musicians known as Scottie, Hattie, and Loda, has firmly established itself as a fixture in the alt/pop landscape, and they are ready to go bonkers around the world.
What I love most about Carpark is that it is an extremely economical band. You get just one of the most sought-after drummers today, an experienced guitarist who knows how to frame each song and, finally, an exotic vocalist whose bass becomes the trio’s pulse. And that’s all you need to really have fun.
Marcos Tadeu, journalist/editor of Rock Cabeça
Get in losers: the truth about Carpark
Well, for some, Carpark might also fit the “girlband” category, with a wealth of musical offerings. However, to me, is nothing but one of the most interesting and potentially commercial rock bands the pandemics era has ever generated, along with Holly Humberstone. Anchored by Scottie on bass and vocals, Hattie on guitar, and Loda on drums, the group draws inspiration from Grammy-winning pop/punk icons Paramore and Blink 182. Their music effortlessly blends nostalgia, raw power, and infectious melodies. Yet, it’s far from ordinary. According to the band, this amalgamation is designed to “transport” listeners straight into the cinematic realm of a coming-of-age movie.
The perfect start
As a group, Carpark embarked on its musical journey in 2021 with the release of the single “Don’t Know Why We Met“, followed by the amazing “Countdown to Ten” and “Warm Beers“. “Happy for a Day” marked their fourth release within a year, paving the way for the debut EP, “The World Ended In 2012“. This EP included all the previously mentioned songs along with the title track, which I consider one of their best ever written. The band’s initial phase was characterized by soothing vocals and heavy drum riffs, maintaining a calm pace in their songs.
Moving into the following year, the trio unveiled “Not The Perfect Start” and “Don’t Want You“, incorporating more elements of dance-pop. It’s intriguing to observe that all of the band’s compositions indeed evoke a cinematic universe, empowering women to conquer the world (and truthfully, can’t we?), along with videos that fully express the chemistry between the girls, who were friends before they decided to be in a rock band.
Carpark boasts an unmistakably authentic ( and “average”) sound
Moreover, Carpark has something many contemporary bands aspire to possess: a powerful and dynamic live performance. Throughout their career, the band has toured with the incredible Beth McCarthy, known for the hit “IDK How To Talk To Girls,” and Lauran Hibberd, the driving force behind the 2020 success “Bang Bang Bang.” Additionally, they’ve shared the stage with the New Zealand singer and frontwoman of the rock ‘n’ roll band Kelsy Karter & The Heroines. Right now they’re opening for no one less than The Libertines, like we already pointed out.
Today, the band’s plan is to establish a name for themselves, driven by the desire to inspire the new generation. Additionally, the band’s second EP, titled “Born To Be Average” is set to be released in 2024 through the music distributor Saviour Music Group. The title brings up a very recurring theme for Carpark and unusual in today’s pop punk bands: a social satire, a kind of wink at their audience showing that they too came from the middle class and are far from the inflated ego that so much affects today’s pop stars and “influencers” theses days. With their feet above the ground, all the three individuals are especially concerned about global crisis and recurring wars the world has been through. That doesn’t mean they can’t provide us some fun on their way to stardom.
Related article: Carpark caught beneath the landslide at The Lower Third
Track-by-track: Happy On Mars by Carpark
If their objective is to transport listeners straight into a movie, “Happy On Mars” was the biggest success in achieving that. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown to get you excited to become a Carpark fan (just like me, yay).
“Happy On Mars” is one of those songs that compels us to hop in a car, roll down all the windows, and drive toward the sunset. The guitar riffs, coupled with the drums and the mermaid-like vocals, craft a realm of nostalgia and abundance — a space filled with dreams, wishes, and determination.
Following that, my favorite one “MIA” takes on a livelier and more dynamic rhythm than the first, transporting us directly to a bar with rock music blaring. The sensation I had was of a moment of change, especially with the lyrics leading to a kind of outburst or end of a relationship:
Switch gears, got eyes on my back
Woke up late, flat tyres, now I’m trapped
Radio plays, now days flash back
MIA, am I losing control?
Am I losing control?MIA – Carpark
By the way, as a point of curiosity, “MIA” stands for Missing In Action, commonly used in the case of soldiers lost in the battlefield. In this case, it’s the vocalist who goes missing (but only in the created narrative, okay?).
They are only happy when it rains at the suburbs of hell
Last but not least, we have “Suburbs of Hell,” a song that creates an atmosphere of movement, but with even more determination than before. The song brings forth the sensation of a band with decades of experience, but this takes into account the talent of the band and the individual journeys of each of the band members.
As the band themselves narrate, this song and the preceding one mark the beginning of a new era for Carpark, as the tunes incorporate more riffs fused with catchy pop elements. Their latest work escalates and it’s much more Garbage than Avril Lavigne. And I can tell this works, specially noted in “Suburbs of Hell“: it feels like heaven.
Finally, check out Carpark’s sound on your favorite audio platform. Make sure you have your headphones on at maximum volume or your speakers turned up. I’m sure you won’t regret this incredible experience!
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