Interview: Five Minutes with Cadet Carter

                                                                                            Image credit: Jan Demann

Cadet Carter are providing a bit of positivity for the world one note at a time with their latest release, ‘The Best Part’ via 8 Ohm Records. The quartet are based in Munich, Germany and pride themselves in reaching the Top 20 of the German Alternative charts with their indie-rock stylings and two critically-acclaimed albums. Their latest music video, directed by Bastian Scholl, been well received within its first weekend of release and we’re willing to bet it will be played on repeat as the year draws to a close.

Stream / Download: ‘The Best Part’

We take the chance to sit down with Nick Sauter, frontman singer, guitarist and songwriter for the band, and find out a little more about what’s driving this optimistic spirit.

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

Because for me it’s easier to sing about what I’m feeling than to talk about it.

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

The idea always comes first. 

Does your material feature any collaborations?

For this single we’ve been working with Fabian Tormin who is a great producer and recording engineer. In the UK he is probably best known for his work with Biffy Clyro.

What’s on your current playlist?

There’s a lot of cool new music out there. I love the new albums by Knuckle Puck and Movements. Also, Feeder’s 2019 album Tallulah is a record I keep coming back to.

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

When we get on stage, there is something that happens to me personally. Normally I am kind of a shy guy, but when I put my guitar on and step in front of that microphone, something sort of clicks and then I basically sing and play my heart out as if it was the last thing I get to do in this world.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

We spend hours trying out different guitar amps in our studio. Thank god we don’t have to pay for the studio time. 

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

So most of the time it starts off with me singing a new song into a microphone, just my vocals and an acoustic guitar. And then we build the song from there. We add drums, bass, guitars, and vocals until we feel the song has what it needs. Then we argue like crazy about the mix until either everyone’s happy or somebody finally gives in! To be honest though: We’re only putting out songs that all four of us are happy with. But it can be a struggle to get there from time to time.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

Actually, since my dad used to be a musician, I can’t think of a time when I didn’t want to become a musician myself. It has kind of always been there.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

A second guitar pick in case I lose mine!

Any emerging artists on your radar?

There’s a great band from the UK called Cold Years.

What gets your creative juices flowing?

Listening to conversations other people have on the bus or in the street.

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

So I play a Gibson SG guitar through a VOX AC 15 amp. Pretty classic set up I’d say. Nothing wrong with that though.

Any side projects you’re working on?

Nope, Cadet Carter is my main focus.

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

I guess so. I mean, you learn new stuff all the time, don’t you. I’m constantly trying to understand my own music better, and the music business in general. 

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

We have this new single out called The Best Part that is hands down the best piece of music we have written so far. 

Follow Cadet Carter:

Website – Facebook – Twitter –  Soundcloud  – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify