Interview: Cody Carpenter Discusses His New Album, Touring With His Father, and More
Jonathan Barkan
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Last week saw the release of Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence, the new solo album from musician Cody Carpenter. After several albums of material under the name Ludrium, Carpenter has decided to make a break and usher in an era of separation, syphoning off one part of his music for Ludrium, where all music will contain vocals, and one part that will go towards music under his own name, which will feature solely instrumental tracks.
An unabashed love letter to prog rock and jazz from the 70’s and 80’s, Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence is a throwback to the era of groups like Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Yes, Camel, Asia, and the like. Throughout the album, there is a sense of pure joy and delight that permeates through every note.
We caught up with Carpenter to discuss the album as well as question him a bit about his memories with his father, horror master John Carpenter, working with Italian synthwave artist Confrontational, and what he’s got coming up.
You can buy Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence through Blue Canoe Records. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Photo Credit: Joakim Reimer
Dread Central: Tell me about the inspiration for Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence and what spurred you to record and release your own solo album.
Cody Carpenter: After having released a number of albums I had done entirely on my own, I wanted to get some other people involved for my next project, so I asked Jimmy Haslip, whom I had worked with a number of years ago, if he wanted to play on my next album. He did! Everything went from there really…
DC: Obviously music has been a very important part of your father’s life and career, so I can only imagine that you grew up in a musical environment. For many families, there are rules put in place when it comes to music. Certain things are not allowed, certain things are looked down upon, the usual… What was it like with you?
CC: I was fortunate to have grown up in an environment where there were no rules in regards to music. My dad exposed me to the music that he liked rather than steer me away from the things that he didn’t like, so it was really more of ‘this is really cool check this out’ as opposed to ‘this is not good, stay away from this’. Musical inspiration can come from anywhere, so I think it’s beneficial to be accepting of all types and expressions of music.
DC: So many artists have credited your father as being the inspiration for their own music but I’m curious what influenced you on your album, be it music, movies, art, comics, video games… Whatever it is, I wanna know!
CC: I wear my influences pretty heavily on my sleeve. The 70s incarnation of Genesis and the keyboard wizardry of Keith Emerson were big ear-openers when I first heard them in high school. Before that, though, Vince DiCola’s soundtrack work and the video game music I grew up with implanted their seeds deeply into my soul, and continue to sprout in pretty much everything I write!
DC: You’ve worked in the past with Italian synthwave artist Confrontational. Can you go a bit into that relationship and what those experiences were like for you?
CC: Being a fan of my dad’s, Massimo contacted me a number of years ago and asked me if I wanted to contribute a synth solo to his album, ‘A Dance of Shadows’. I enjoyed the demo he sent and gladly laid down a solo. He’s a great, super-talented guy with a specific vision that shines through in his music! I have since contributed a little bit to his subsequent albums as well.
Photo Credit: Joakim Reimer
DC: What separates Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence from Ludrium?
CC: Thank you for asking that question! I think I’ve finally decided that, from here on out, “Cody Carpenter” albums will be instrumental, while “Ludrium” albums will have vocals.
DC: You spent a lot of time touring with your father for the Lost Themes shows. What was that experience like for you?
CC: It’s been a fantastic experience touring with my dad. It’s so much fun and everyone involved is beyond amazing in every way! Being on the road can be a grind, but it’s more than worth it to be able to perform the music for my dad’s fans!
DC: What is your fondest music-based memory you have of you and your father?
CC: I have so many! The first one that popped into my mind is from when I was a little boy, of us driving up to Northern California listening to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, both of us singing the different harmony parts and having too much fun!
DC: What’s the plan with Cody Carpenter’s Interdependence? Will you be taking the album on the road for a tour?
CC: I would love to play the music live! No plans at the moment, everything is more or less up in the air right now…
DC: What’s next for you?
CC: I’m deep into working on the next “Ludrium” album, [the] vocal project, and the next “Cody Carpenter” album, [an] instrumental project. I’m also working on some video game music stuff and hoping to be working with my dad again very soon!
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