The early 2000s were a prime time for the eye-rolling, cynical it-girl. Whether it was the droll pessimism of animated teenager Daria on TV screens or Avril Lavigne’s bratty pop-punkstar attitude, there was a charm in defying feminine norms in favour of the brash, sarcastic and outspoken. Decades on, modern audiences can find a similar fire living on in CARR, the dick-chopping, hot dad-loving, risqué pop-punk renegade penning anthems for the girly, always one minor inconvenience away from a major meltdown.
Following a string of EPs and singles, CARR’s blistering-yet-blasé antagonism was discovered by none other than Pete Wentz. While the Fall Out Boy star was first lured in by the lovesick haze of 2020’s ‘Shampoo’, he wasn’t scared off by CARR’s more feisty side. Rather than deeming CARR too hot to handle, he instead signed her to DCD2 for her glorious 2023 debut, ‘The CARR Show’ – allowing her to share the upfront proclamation of “I’m kinda hot and I got Double D’s” that sits at the heart of ‘Sick Bro’ as well as standout ‘Spiral City’, a menacing, surf-rock-infused plea for attention.
CARR’s witty crash-out anthems are tailor-made for belting into a hairbrush, and her sophomore effort, ‘CARRGIRRL’, only amps up the heat. Whether you’re after something goofy, like ‘Alien Rat Boyfriend’ and its ode to dating ugly losers, or outright vulgarity like ‘Bang It Out’ or ‘P.T.’ (standing for Pussy Tentacles, of course), there’s plenty of tracks to jam out to. And there’s even the odd glimmer of heart-on-sleeve sadness, like ‘Mud’ and sentimental, acoustic closer ‘Tennis Balls’.
Rock Sound sat down with CARR to dive deeper into her journey and how that has allowed her to be so free, fun and frisky with her art.
Rock Sound: What were you like growing up?
CARR: My mum always says I was intensely anxious – I could never go to a birthday party or anything because I’d miss her. I was one of those kids. But I’d always be goofy around the right people. I feel like I’m similar in that sense, I can be shy but open up if the company is right. But I’m not, y’know, getting pulled out of class for therapy any more.
RS: So, when did music come in?
CARR: Well, I actually originally moved to LA eight years ago to pursue acting. In order to survive, I had to work – but with all the auditions, I had to keep my days free, so I had to work night shifts. I could have got a job in a restaurant, but I fucking hated the thought of that. So, I went on Craigslist, and that’s where I found an ad for a recording studio job, between 6pm and midnight. Surprisingly, it was at a top studio! I didn’t think it would be, considering they were so desperate to find someone – they asked me to start straight away after my interview. But when I walked through the door on my first shift, Justin Bieber was recording in the studio. It was very weird. Anyway, it meant that whenever nobody was booked to record, I could use the studio for free! That’s when I recorded my first little EP, [2018’s] ‘8th Ave’. I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing, honestly.
RS: You clearly had some idea, considering you caught the eye of Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz…
CARR: ‘Shampoo’ was the song that really attracted Pete. Then, when Pete Heard my second EP [2022’s ‘TV Boyfriends’], that’s when I got my publishing deal. In the music industry, there are so many ‘promises’ that are never fulfilled. When he first DMed me, I was like “Suuuuure…” I didn’t think anything would come of it. But, thankfully, Pete doesn’t play around. If he wants something, he’s gonna go through with it.
RS: How does he feel about your more risqué tunes?
CARR: After he showed interest in signing me, he attended a show – and I remember being a bit worried. I was wearing a shirt that said, ‘I love sluts’, and my stage presence was pretty unhinged that day. But he came up afterwards and was still into it. I think, because his vibe was just as chaotic back in the day, he saw some of his own crazy in me. Even down to the wild slogan t-shirts he used to wear, we both love to be a little crazy. We’re pretty much the same person. When we met, I was instantly obsessed with him because we just vibed so hard as friends. I think how unhinged my songs are can definitely scare him a little bit sometimes, but I think it’s good to keep a man on his toes.
RS: Has he ever asked you to tone things down?
CARR: When I toured with Fall Out Boy, he did tell my manager to tell me to tone it down a bit because families were going to be in the crowd. But he’s usually super cool about everything. I’m going on tour with The Cab soon, though, and I’m wondering if I can push some boundaries. Maybe swap out the ‘I love sluts’ top for a more subtle ‘I love hot women’ tee.
RS: With your new record being called ‘CARRGIRRL’, we’ve got to ask – what is the essential checklist of a CARRGIRRL?
CARR: I think not giving a fuck is the main requirement. You’ve also got to have dated a few rats – all hardcore Carrgirls are in a cycle of dating losers, because I get all the gossip in my DMs, so that’s a priority. But I’d also say you’ve got to be a little weird and dorky. A dash of quirky dark humour to push those boundaries.
RS: Which tracks off of your new record would you say push boundaries, then?
CARR: I mean, I wrote a song about chopping off dicks, so I don’t know if I could have pushed the boundary much further. It would be an honour if I ever got a track rejected by my label, but, on this record, ‘Bang It Out’ is pretty out there, because it’s literally about having sex instead of realising you have nothing in common with someone. But, honestly, the whole album is fucking around. Like the line in ‘Alien Rat boyfriend’ – “You’re kind of ugly / So please take off my top”. Obviously, there are moments where it goes a little deeper, but it’s more fun to wear a mask and hide the intensity. Maybe one day I’ll write a fully serious, emotional, open record. But, most of the time, being serious makes me uncomfortable…
RS: What do you think will be the next thing you tackle at your writer’s desk? Any traumatising anecdotes you can’t wait to turn into a song?
CARR: It’s funny, because I feel like my life has been a bit boring lately. I’ve actually just started dating again, and I don’t know whether I did so with the intention of finding more content. I guess I need to date some more alien rat boys for the plot.
RS: Do you think any man could ever realistically tie you down?
CARR: Realistically, I think I’m gonna be someone who manically falls in love one day and runs away to Las Vegas. I don’t think I’m the kind of person who would have a classical wedding. I need an Elvis. At some point, I probably need to fall in love and make a love album – I don’t think I’ve been in love since I started my music career, which is crazy. Maybe I can fall in love just to write an album, then break up with him. Writing about a breakup is free therapy. How else are you meant to get over it? Also, everyone needs a good breakup album to jam out to.
