Home / Arts and Entertainment / Karter's Pure O: Music as Therapy
Karter's Pure O: Music as Therapy
6 Jul
Summary
- Karter channels her Pure O diagnosis into raw, autobiographical new music.
- New album inspired by Rocky Horror and a desire for authentic live sound.
- Pat Smear's friendship and Foo Fighters' studio aided album creation.
In the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Kelsy Karter is recording new music that directly confronts her recent diagnosis of Pure O, a form of Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Karter describes the process as liberating, allowing her to explore uncomfortable emotions through raw, autobiographical lyrics.
Her band, Kelsy Karter & the Heroines, is utilizing the Foo Fighters' Studio 606 in Northridge, Los Angeles. This follows last year's "Love Made Me Do It," with the new album promising big choruses and a sound that captures their energetic live performances.
Inspired by "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," the album aims for authenticity, a response to fan feedback. Karter's access to Studio 606 was facilitated by her friendship with Foo Fighters guitarist Pat Smear, who was intrigued by her rebellious spirit.
This spirit was notably showcased in a 2019 publicity stunt for her single "Harry," which involved a temporary face tattoo of Harry Styles. The stunt generated significant media attention and death threats from fans, an experience Karter called both "exciting" and a testament to her rebellious nature.
Originally from New Zealand and raised in Australia, Karter moved to America at 17. Her nomadic impulse, inherited from her parents, influences her music, including the piano ballad "Runaway." She initially pursued acting but was drawn to music, eventually finding her voice in rock and roll.
Karter's bandmates are primarily based in England, making the L.A. recording sessions a logistical feat. Her fiancé, Adam Slack of The Struts, and his connections helped assemble the Heroines, including bassist Tommy Gent and guitarist Matt Peach.
The band has gained recognition through annual cover singles, such as "Call Me" and "Cryin'," and a rendition of "Holding Out For A Hero" led to West End stage appearances. Karter advises emerging artists to embrace covers, as they have provided significant opportunities.
Karter's artistic evolution is symbolized by her album art, depicting two versions of herself, one hard and one soft, embracing both aspects. This duality reflects her personal growth, moving from a tough exterior to integrating her sensitive side, allowing her to be "hard and soft, tough and vulnerable, masculine and feminine, all at once."
