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NEWS
September
2002
Page
9
The
Awards were held in the Kodak Centre in Hollywood, California
33
Extra Pictures of Nick here.
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Nick
Biography: 15 years of fame
back up
Source: www.int.nickcarter.com
We first met Nick Carter, the sweet, blonde, blue-eyed member of the
BSB, about 7 years ago. He knocked the socks off the girls and boys a
alike worldwide, while receiving innumerable praises and awards from
the music industry. Now that he is abet older, we find him digging a
little deeper to show us a side we've never seen before.
Nick Carter is getting up to his own things these days. It's his
chance to break out and share a more personal side of himself while
still doing the things he loves - music. Making music that comes from
his heart is something this 22 year old has been yearning to do for
quite a while.
On his debut album, Now or Never', Nick brings a cathartic pen to
paper to release what he says he's been " holding inside for a
long time." We begin to watch the layers unfurl on each track as
we hear a young man's tale of life and love and growing up. His
deepest thoughts and confusions, as well as his passions come across
in the album's songs.
"It's a release of energy - all sorts of energy that I've held
inside for God knows how long." Nick says, "now I get the
freedom to do everything that I, myself, want to do."
After fifteen years of performing it is certainly his time to shine,
but Nick is very modest about his success. "It's not about
shining," he says, " It's more so something is helping me
out as a person, and it's kind of like therapy to me. I'm able to free
myself and express myself." He describes his move to do his on
things as a kid going off to college. He is breaking away from the
family within the BSB to spread his wings.
This endeavour did not begin with a plan to make a solo record. It
just so happens that Nick was messing around in the studio with the
production team, KNS (Josh Schwartz and Brian Keirulf) and they came
up with the sing: 'Do I Have To Cry For You'. When the folks at Jive
took a listen they were blown away, and so began the idea to make Now
or Never.
His work (and play) with KNS allowed him to experiment with writing
for the first time. He co-wrote 'Do I Have To Cry For You', as well as
'Girls in The USA', and 'I Stand For You', with them, and 'My
Confession', and 'Is It Saturday Yet' with producers Gary Clark and
Martin Brammer. Although he admits he hasn't reached his full
potential as a writer yet, he is very excited about the prospect of
exploring his artistic side.
During the making of the record Nick took to Sweden to work with good
friend and songwriter extraordinaire, Max Martin (best known for his
work with Britney Spears, The BSB and Celine Dion). Before the
recording process began, the two got into deep discussions about the
life and what Nick was going through at the time. The songs Max came
up with and produced with partner Rami, were closely related to Nick's
emotions, so they were perfect for the record.
Now or Never has also been graces by the production skills of The
Matrix, Steve Mac, Matthew Gerrard and Teddy Riley. "It's a very
personal album", Nick says of the songs chosen for it,
"..everyone has a connection of some sort."
While Now or Never delves into some deep topics, it doesn't take
itself way too seriously. It has the ability too transport you too the
open road for along drive while you sing every song at the top of your
lungs. It reflects the freedom and passion that it is meant to reveal.
'Help Me', the first single from the album, was written by Matthew
Gerrard and Michele Vise-Maslin, and produced by Matthew Gerrard. It's
a fun ditty that we can all relate to. In it Nick sings about his
confusion and appreciation of life and relationships while he begs the
question we all ask ourselves everyday.
The tender ballad 'Do I Cry For You', works its way into a passionate
and raw plea for some middle ground in a less than normal way
relationship.
'Confession', it is very sweet and pleasant sonic journey that
expresses honest affection towards a new love. Its bouncy guitars and
textured beats are candy to the ears.
Nick truly loves American Rock, and its influence shows up on the
guitar-driven anthem, 'I Stand For You'. You can tell he was reared on
a healthy serving of Bruce Springsteen, Journey and Bon Jovi. His
rebellious lyrics like 'I'm gonna have an attitude', are spoken with
that sense of youthful invincibility and fervour. We see his
compassionate side on the ballad, 'Heart Without a Home (I'll Be
There), while the song, 'I Got You', calls out the words, 'they can't
touch me.. now that I've got you', over a lush landscape of chimes,
beats and subtle guitar.
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