Courtney Barnett's Desert Sojourn Sparks Creative Revival for New Album
In a transformative move, Grammy-nominated Australian musician Courtney Barnett retreated to the desert for close to a year to write her latest album, Creature of Habit. This period of isolation in Joshua Tree, California, followed her relocation to Los Angeles and the winding down of Milk! Records, the independent label she co-founded over a decade ago. Barnett describes this phase as a liminal space, marking the end of one chapter and the unexpected beginning of another.
From Lockdown Timidity to Desert Boldness
Her 2021 album, Things Take Time, Take Time, reflected the constraints of pandemic lockdowns, with Barnett noting it was "timid and doesn't want to upset the neighbours." In contrast, Creature of Habit emerges as a confident, cheeky work that kicks the door off its hinges. The opening track, Stay in Your Lane, sets the tone with synthy thrum and blunt self-assessment, capturing the friction of her transition. Barnett's head was spinning during this time, but the desert provided the clarity needed to push forward.
Inspiration from Georgia O'Keeffe and Desert Solitude
In Joshua Tree, Barnett immersed herself in the world of painter Georgia O'Keeffe, drawing parallels between their artistic journeys. She piled books on her coffee table, including A Painter's Kitchen: Recipes from the Kitchen of Georgia O'Keeffe, which offered sweet, simple glimpses into daily life. Barnett even used the cookbook when cooking for her band during recording sessions. O'Keeffe's fascination with "crossed senses"—translating music into visual art—resonated with Barnett, especially when she performed at Ghost Ranch, O'Keeffe's former home, and noticed the record player where O'Keeffe would intensely absorb music.
Breakthroughs and Personal Growth
The album's title track, Mantis, originated from a demo by longtime collaborator Stella Mozgawa. Barnett struggled with lyrics until a desert encounter with a praying mantis provided a "strange, beautiful sign from the universe," leading to a breakthrough. Back in Los Angeles, Barnett embraced change by taking up surfing and pottery, pushing against her habits without expecting perfection. She also got a dog, which helped her interact more with neighbours and step out of her shell. The album concludes with Another Beautiful Day, a track that grants herself permission to put herself first, reflecting hard-won optimism.
Trusting the Process and Avoiding Regret
Barnett emphasizes the importance of trusting her gut during the album's creation, extending deadlines and resisting external pressures until she felt each song was right. This meticulous approach nearly drove her mad, but she now loves the album without a hint of regret. By the end, Barnett's image in Joshua Tree merges with O'Keeffe's in Abiquiú, both artists waiting for habits to transform into ideas. The desert's clarity allowed Barnett to make noise again, resulting in an album that celebrates personal evolution and artistic renewal.
