Herald Sun - Nick Q&A
Nick Carter tells NEALA JOHNSON how it feels to be the first solo Backstreet Boy.

Are you happy with your first solo album, Now Or Never?

Yeah, I’m ecstatic about it.

Does it feel different to be talking about a project that’s come from you, and you alone?

Yeah, it’s different. I mean, it’s weird because I’ve got so much to say. It’s like, man, I didn’t realise I had so much I wanted to talk about.

Why was Help Me chosen as your first single?

First of all, I didn’t write the song. But the songs that I didn’t write on the album, I’d listen to ‘em before I’d record them, and if it didn’t, word-wise, have anything to do with what I’m trying to say, or what I’m going through in my life, I didn’t need to record it. So that song right here, it hit home with where I’m at right now. It talks about how I’m trying to find my way, and I’m soul-searching. You know, I’m 22 and I’ve gone through the business and there’s a lot of stuff in this business that can really mess with a young kid.

Do you look at what you’ve been through with the Backstreet Boys and wonder how you came out with your sanity intact?

Yep. Definitely. There’s a lot of situations that make me think, God, man, how did I even get there? But getting through those things and learning only makes people stronger, from what I’ve noticed (laughs). And thank God I’ve been blessed and I’ve been able to learn, and learn quickly, and not do ‘em again.

Have you written or co-written many songs on Now Or Never?

Most of the songs, I’ve co-written. But even though I co-wrote with people, a large portion is my ideas. Everything on the album, it’s very personal. It’s stuff that I either have gone through, or I really, really love, or would love to have. So whoever listens to the songs, they’re going to be able to tell what I’ve been going through for the past how long, because I’ve been able to use the writing as a therapy. Instead of writing in a diary, I wrote it on paper and recorded it.

Who did you write with?

I worked with Max Martin again. I did some stuff with Teddy Riley (Joe, Mary J. Blige), I did some stuff with Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams) and Steve Mac (Westlife) in England. But I’ve also worked with a lot of underdogs, people who are on the up, people who’ve really got a lot to say.

Are you nervous that Now Or Never is an open book, without four other guys to hide behind?

I know it’s gonna be very open, and I’m prepared for that. Very prepared. But hey, I’m willing to tell people, finally, through the music, about stuff I’ve been going through. I think the fans wanna know.

You’re still part of one of the most popular bands in the world, so what are you hoping a solo album will achieve for you?

Personally, I’m not really into the whole success thing to the point where I need it to be this huge magnitude or anything. What I really want is (for) it to be successful in my own mind and my heart and in my soul. I’ve been very happy recording it. I’m very positive right now, and all the positive stuff I put into the music. And what I would like to do is bleed through to the fans, so it can possibly make them happy, too. That’s the main goal, for the fans that are still there wanting to listen to new music, I wanna just make them happy. So that’s why I tried to make feel-good music.

Will the songs surprise your fans?

In general, the music’s gonna surprise them. But it’s what influenced me, it’s like a rock feel. I’ve been very influenced by rock since I was very little. I knew I wanted guitars, and I knew I wanted a lot of live music.

How heavy do those guitars get?

They’re not that heavy, I mean it’s not like Metallica. You know what it is? To me it’s a new pop, it’s a new type of pop music that I’m trying to do.

Are there plans to tour the album?

It would be fun, but right now I’m just livin’ day by day and seein’ how it goes. But hey, I’m definitely gonna be promoting it, so that means I’m gonna be going out all around the world and gettin’ down with the fans again.

So you might spend longer in Australia than the 14 hours you were here with the Backstreet Boys in 2000?

Oh, I know (laughs). I’m gonna make sure I get over there.

Did you do things on this album you didn’t know you could?

I didn’t know that I was able to write a song the way I’ve written songs, and I didn’t realise I could sing the way I sang. It was all very eye opening to me, I didn’t expect it. I’m not the kind of person that’s so confident in myself that I can be like, ‘Yeah, I can do this!’. I’ve always been very … I dunno (laughs). I just didn’t expect myself to be able to do something like that.

Stories on the Internet have said other members of the Backstreet Boys are unhappy about you making a solo album. Should we believe any of the rumours?

I don’t know if it’s true. I’ve heard some things about that, but I don’t believe the guys would be like that.

So, by the sound of it, while the band has been on a break, you’ve been taking a complete break from each other as well?

It’s not a break from each, it’s more, I really wanted to do this. And we’re gonna get back in … I’m gonna get back … I would love to get back with them and record some music.

How much work will you be able to put in behind your solo album if two days after it’s released you have to jump back on board with the Backstreet Boys?

Well, I guess that’s why I’m taking everything day by day. ‘Cos I’m really happy doing what I’m doing.

Thanks to Katie.