Interviews

Capricho Magazine

Mag: I've heard a rumor floating on the Net that you and Brian had fight because of your solo c.d. is this true?
Nick: Yes I've heard that. I honestly don't know where this came from. The last time I talked to Brian was everything fine. I never had a fight with him because of my solo career and the guys did not blackmail me saying I had to leave the group if I decided to record a solo album.
Mag: And if were true what would you do?
Nick: Oh my god I dunno. I know those guys. I know they would never do something like that to me. As far as I know they are very happy for me and for my solo career.
Mag: Is this true that the new Backstreet boys CD is half done by now?
Nick: No it's a lie. We haven't even started to record the album yet. We still need to choose the repertory for the next album.
Mag: And when do you think the group will start the recording sessions?
Nick: Probably by the end of the year, but we are not sure yet. My priority now is my CD and the guys know that.
Mag: So what have you been doing these past months?
Nick: I have been recording a lot for my solo album and when I finished with the recording, I started to talk to people about my solo project -- to promote my CD. During the course of this year, I was dedicated to my CD 100%. I've talked to the other Boys, but I was just thinking about my CD.
Mag: How many songs did you record?
Nick: About 35.
Mag: Who wrote them?
Nick: I wrote most of them, although there are songs that were written by other songwriters. But I wrote almost all of them.
Mag: How was to do everything all by yourself?
Nick: It was really different because I have always worked with the group. I had such a great time. I could really express what I was feeling and wanting. When you are 14-15, the age that I was when the Backstreet boys became successful, and you are among other people you can't always say what you are thinking and wanting. For many years things were that way and I didn't care, but after our last tour, I started feeling bad, even with myself, you know? I wasn't happy and things were going wrong for me. We weren't thinking about the music the way we used to.
Mag: Were you that unhappy in the Backstreet Boys?
Nick: Things started going wrong after AJ's problem. To be honest I was becoming just like AJ. I was drinking a lot.
Mag: As you know people have always criticized the boybands, saying they never get involved in the process of creating music, but the Backstreet Boys always said they were different -- that the whole group did get involved in the process of creating music. But from what you have been saying this is not true. So do you mean you never did anything you really wanted? That you just did what people asked you?
Nick: Things are not that simple because when you are in a group you do have to get involved in someway. But you can not always voice your opinions, the way you can when you're working solo.
Mag: I heard 7 songs of your upcoming album and the lyrics are very different from what we are used to hearing from BSB. They really seem to talk about you that in this album. You're really showcasing who you are and what you are feeling.
Nick: Yes this is true and the lyrics do talk about me. The plan for this album was to use songs, which touch me in one way or other. It's like I decided to write down the things I felt and wanted. Some of my past experiences with the Backstreet Boys and of course the songs talk about my personal life as well. I took everything from my heart and it gave me my self -esteem back. It made me feel like the old Nick is back -- after so much money and success and of course lots of bullshit. Nowadays I don't care if I write a song and nobody likes it or if I record a CD and it wont sell. I don't care what people think anymore.
Mag: So the album is entitled Now or Never. What made you realize that now was the right time to record a solo album?
Nick: Something inside of me was saying, 'I think if I don't take this chance now, I won't have any more chance to do this anytime soon.'
Mag: The direction that the group was taking helped you make this decision and finally have the guts to record this solo album?
Nick: Definitely! I wasn't happy!
Mag: What type of music did you listen to when you were writing your solo CD?
Nick: I was listening to the same type of music I've always liked to listen to. I've always been a rock fan. When I was in the Backstreet Boys I used to play in a secret rock band and nobody knew about that. I was the drummer. I love Bruce Springsteen, Nirvana, Bryan Adams, Pearl Jam and a few others.
Mag: You decided to put lot of rock in your CD. Don't you think people will have problems listening to a Backstreet Boy singing rock?
Nick: It's not really rock. -- it's pop rock. Of course I know there will be people against me singing rock. To tell the truth, I don't care. It's just like I said if nobody likes it; I'm fine with it. If just one person likes and buys the CD, I will be extremely happy.
Mag: Do you think more than one person will buy the CD?
Nick: *laughs* Yes probably more than one, but I don't intend to break any records or be on the top of the charts.
Mag: N Sync decided to take an official break this year to make solo projects and as you know Justin Timberlake is going to release a solo album as well. Did you ask to take a break as a member of the group?
Nick: In BSB, the break wasn't official, but it happened. We didn't record anything and we didn't appear on any TV or radio shows. I had time to work on my CD the way I wanted to. To tell you the truth, if things had continued like they were going, I would have ended up just like AJ. I was going through a very bad time and it came to a point where I didn't know who I was anymore, you know? I had taken on a role and I was stuck in that role. I felt like I had lost my soul somewhere, but I didn't know where.
Mag: Do you consider AJ's rehab like a wake up call? That you needed to slow down and take time for yourself?
Nick: Nope. Even after AJ had gone into rehab, I kept on drinking. You know I was 21 and I could finally legally drink in the US so it was hard for me to slow down. I was partying 24\7.
Mag: So what made you realize you needed to slow down? Was it when you were arrested outside at nightclub in Tampa?
Nick: Nope that was a different situation. I wasn't doing anything wrong. All I said was that I didn't need to leave because I wasn't doing anything. I was defending my rights, but the guy knew who I was since the beginning so he kind of took advantage of the situation. He was like, 'Nick Carter you are under arrest.' Just after that, I realize he was cop, but it's all good. I didn't get frustrated or anything. Instead, I decided to write a song called Forever Rebel.
Mag: How is the situation now?
Nick: All the charges were dropped and I had to do community service. I had to visit a hospital with sick children during several days and I sang to them. It was an amazing experience! In the end I found it was really a good experience for me.
Mag: Have you ever denied being Nick Carter?
Nick: Yes. I mean I like the attention, but I want people to see me as a normal guy. To be in the media all the time is terrible.
Mag: So the experience you guys had in Rio back in November of 2000 was scary?
Nick: The first time we were in Brazil to promote Black and Blue was really scary. There were many girls crying and screaming. But we also had fun!
Mag: Talking about Brazil, there was a rumor that you dated a Brazilian girl who lives in US, is that true?
Nick: *laughs* Not that I remember.
Mag: I saw you and Sue Bird together on the red carpet of the ESPY awards back in July. Are you guys dating?
Nick: No, we are not dating! We are friends. She invited me to escort her to the awards and I accepted. I swear we have never dated. I loved taking her to the awards. I've never even taken a girl even to a prom so it was a good experience!
Mag: But she knew what you were wearing. This is something girlfriends know.
Nick: Girls really pay attention to those kinds of things. I swear that I have been single for over a year now.
Mag: You once said that you look for independence in a girl; that she has to know what she really wants. Why is that?
Nick: Basically because you are never around that much like a regular boyfriend. You know that we travel a lot so if her life revolves around mine and if her happiness depends just on the times that she spends with me, it can get really complicated. I need a girl with her feet on the ground. A tough girl who can handle the good and the bad parts of dating a celebrity.
Mag: Would you date a girl as famous as you?
Nick: I can't say no. If I were in love, why not? As long she keeps her feet on the ground then I'm fine with the idea. Up until now it's never happened.
Mag: Once you said you think Britney is really cute. Too bad she was dating Justin. But now she and Justin are over so she is available.
Nick: Oh my you're embarrassing me here.
Mag: Some of the lyrics of Now or Never are romantic. Are you romantic when you are in relationship?
Nick: To be honest I'm not that romantic. I don't remember ever doing anything crazy for a girl.
Mag: On the Internet I once read how you hooked up with 2 girls on the same night. Did you really do that?
Nick: With 2? I don't think so. Not on the same night!
Mag: If you were a girl would you date nick Carter?
Nick: That question is hard, especially because I can't imagine myself as a girl, but I guess not.
Mag: Why not?
Nick: I don't know why but definitely not.
Mag: If you were in love with a girl, but your family didn't like her at all would you listen to their opinions?
Nick: Their opinions are really important to me because they know me better than anyone else. That's why I always like to listen to what they have to say.
Article translated by Mandy (thank you!) and edited by me (Maria).