Ali Barter “Hello, I’m Doing My Best”
Interview conducted July 02, 2019
by Dan Locke
Hello, I’m Doing My Best follows Barter’s 2017 debut LP A Suitable Girl, a record that, by all accounts, was critically and popularly acclaimed. Tone Deaf touted it as “an album that struck a nerve with Australia”, while Sydney Morning Herald backed her as a “star on the rise”. Ali Barter, however, wasn’t so sure. “The first record came out and for some reason I rejected it,” she says, listing the complaints she found with her own work, “it’s too polished and my voice is too high” being at the top of the list. Overcome with self-doubt, Barter pushed herself away from music, determined to never write another song. But in the winter, a few months after the record’s release, she went out of town to clear her head, with her guitar for company. “Stuff started coming up and I couldn’t push it down,” she says, and despite feeling like she “wasn’t ready” for what these songs were saying, her and Dawson went about recording and testing the limits of her surprising new songs. She heard something in them she’d realized she didn’t need to fight anymore. “When we demoed them up, I was like, Oh, there I am. The thing I was pushing against was me”
Who influenced you musically growing up?
My dad was a big Frank Sinatra fan, so I grew up listening to classic songs from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Gershwin. Then my mum loved Patsy Cline so I got a solid dose of country music as well. My first favorite artists as a kid were Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, The Spice Girls. I’m influenced by a catchy melody and strong ideas.
Why did you first pick up the guitar?
Not for real until I was about 22. It was kinda begrudgingly, I knew I needed to play an instrument to write songs and accompany myself. I wouldn’t call myself an instrumentalist. I’m a singer/songwriter. A guitar is a song-writing tool for me.
What is the Melbourne music scene like?
We have a great music scene in Melbourne. It’s the best place for music in Aus, IMHO. Lots of great venues to play, lots of talented and driven musos and a pretty varied scene in terms of genres.
What was your first band like?
It was similar to now – drums, bass, 2 guitars. I played a bit of keys. The music was more Lana Del Rey meets Neko Case. Slower, longer songs. Now we play fast, no fucking around. I pop-punked it up.
When did you decide to start working on this new album?
I started writing songs about June 2017. I was getting antsy after the release of my first record so I took myself out of town to the beach and started getting ideas out. One of the first songs I wrote was ‘Backseat’. After that, I knew a record was on the way.
What is this album about to you?
I’m interested in behavior and honesty, so this record is really delving into the life experiences that formed me; high school, my drinking days, my friends, my relationship to myself, especially my body. It’s a part apology to myself, part acknowledgment of things I’ve been through and a promise for the future.
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Can you elaborate on the video for “Ur A Piece of Shit” and why its themes are so important?
‘Ur A Piece Of Shit’ is a love letter to my best friends. It was born from conversations we would have about each other. You know, when you talking lovingly, but a little bit judgy and concerned all at the same time, about a close friend. Sorting out their problems in the way that only friends who know the whole back story can. I watched the movies Heathers ( I’m a massive Winona fan) and just thought it was the perfect concept for this video – to play all the characters, the rebel, the vain one, the nerd, the stressy, self conscious one – because really, the women I know, including myself, all had shades of these characters in themselves. It’s hard growing up, and we all do the best we can and then deal with the fall out as we grow up. That’s what makes my friends so important to me. They know me better than anyone because they saw me fuck up and fail and still see that stuff today, and I see that in them and we are there for each other. Friendship like that is a pretty profound thing.
What was the most challenging thing you confronted during the writing/recording process?
Not listening to my head, telling me I’m no good or the songs are rubbish. I’m pretty good at ignoring that stuff these days but it requires some work. Feel the fear and do it anyway and all that jazz.
What do you most want listeners to gain from this new body of work?
I hope people can relate to my songs. That’s my aim as a songwriter. To explain how I’m feeling, and then maybe someone hears it and has felt the same way. When I hear songs that tap into a feeling I can relate to, it makes me feel like everything is going to be ok. I hope it makes people happy too, cos it’s fun music and it should make them wanna turn it up!
What have you learned from touring with some of your personal idols?
That you don’t have to be a diva to be a legend. I had the loveliest and most real conversations with Liz Phair and Chrissie Hynde. They were so generous and open when they spoke to me and then they played with such honesty and attitude. It was so inspiring.
Where do you see yourself & amp; your music in 5 years?
On a stage, somewhere in the world, singing my songs. That’s what I do, so I can only see myself still doing that in 5 years.
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