ICYMI: Julian Casablancas talked The Strokes, politics, and his love for The Voidz

Julian Casablancas recently opened up about why he has distanced himself somewhat from The Strokes, the influential indie rock band he founded in 1997. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Casablancas reflected on his evolving role within the band, as well as his recent focus on The Voidz, his experimental side project.

Formed by Casablancas in 2013, The Voidz has allowed him to delve into more avant-garde musical explorations, diverging from the established style that defined The Strokes. Their latest album with The Voidz, which launched in September, has only strengthened Casablancas’ connection to this more experimental project.

During the interview, Casablancas strongly hinted at his preference for The Voidz over The Strokes when asked if he missed one group more than the other. He expressed his hesitation in answering directly, stating, "Probably one direction more than the other. I don’t know if I can answer that without being offensive to someone."

When the interviewer suggested that it might be The Voidz he misses more, Casablancas, put on the spot, admitted, "sometimes, yeah."
In a different interview, when asked about The Strokes, he even stated, "I can’t really relate to all of them, musically or otherwise." That statement strongly implies potential for a breakup, but is that inevitable? It's suggested that artistic and political expression is a part of Casablancas' love of The Voidz.

The Strokes and The Voidz and politics

Casablancas has also noted the evolving lyrical content in his work with The Strokes, explaining that his songs often carry political undertones. In response to whether he felt that playing with The Strokes contributed to an "opiate-of-the-masses vibe," he replied, "No, because I think I put political thoughts now in Strokes songs too. I always have to some degree." Casablancas mentioned that this approach isn’t new; he has woven such themes into his music for years.

He further elaborated that many Strokes fans might not fully grasp this aspect, which could be one reason he’s taken a step back from the band. Despite this, he remains committed to his role in The Strokes, describing it as a "very cool day job" that he feels fortunate to have. He clarified that as long as his work with the band doesn’t inhibit his ability to make meaningful contributions elsewhere, he will continue to balance both projects.

In an earlier conversation with NME, Casablancas highlighted specific examples of his political inclinations within The Strokes' work. He referenced songs like "New York City Cops" and "Soma," which subtly address power structures and societal issues. "‘Political’ is a bad word because you think of the Tories and the Republicans — that’s not really what I mean," Casablancas explained. "I’m talking about the ideas and values of human beings and how to philosophically combat the gears of power and the people who control things."

This ideological thread runs through both his work with The Strokes and The Voidz, though the latter gives him a broader platform for such exploration., sort of in the punk spirit.

Does this mean The Strokes are losing Casablancas?

The Strokes, often credited as one of the leading bands to revitalize garage rock in the early 2000s, released their latest album, The New Abnormal, in 2020, with songs like "At the Door" and "Bad Decisions." Produced by Rick Rubin, the record earned the band their first Grammy Award for Best Rock Album and was praised for its introspective lyrics and atmospheric sound (Rubin explained recently his philosophy: "I never cared what was happening technically, as long as the sound was good.")

This release marked a significant chapter for the band after over two decades in the industry, reaffirming their relevance in the contemporary rock scene. However, Casablancas’ creative priorities have clearly shifted in recent years, with The Voidz offering him a chance to challenge conventions and experiment beyond The Strokes’ foundational sound. Known for incorporating elements of electronic, punk, and even metal, The Voidz' music is distinctively unconventional, reflecting Casablancas' desire to push boundaries and tackle themes that may be less commercially accessible.

Though Casablancas remains connected to The Strokes, his passion for The Voidz signals an artist constantly in search of new expressions. The dual nature of his musical career highlights his commitment to exploring both mainstream success and fringe artistic pursuits, balancing the wide appeal of The Strokes with the avant-garde experimentation of The Voidz. In his own words, as long as his involvement in The Strokes is not "wasting so much of my time that I couldn’t do anything positive," he will continue to navigate these two worlds, finding purpose in each while staying true to his evolving vision.