Interview: Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys Relaunches Solo Career in Emotionally Charged Style with ‘LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY’

With the Backstreet Boys’ Las Vegas residency proceeding successfully, longtime member Nick Carter resurfaces with his first solo album since 2015, ‘LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY,’ full of introspective lyricism and even a little flair for comic book imagery.

Stream: ‘LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY’ – Nick Carter

Though the second half of their name may need some updating at this point, the Backstreet Boys continue to display plenty of youthful energy and ambition, most visibly in the form of their recently-extended Las Vegas residency.

A key driving force behind their late-career success – as he has been throughout the band’s 30-plus-year history – has been their ever-reliable vocalist, Nick Carter. Ever since being entrusted with the fateful decision, at age 12, to either join The Mickey Mouse Club or the Backstreet Boys, Carter has been a loyal member of what remains one of the best-selling pop groups of all time, and he’s also made room for a solid four solo albums in the meantime.

LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY - Nick Carter — LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY – Nick Carter

The latest of these, and first in ten years, was released on May 15th. LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY displays Carter’s penchant for emotionally raw lyricism – and, on a far more lighthearted note, for comic books. He released a series of illustrated music videos visualizing the main themes and narratives of album, as well as a graphic novel series featuring these videos in print form. Carter has evidently has had plenty on his mind in recent years, and now is intent on laying it all bare in multiple formats.

“This album is not only about love, life and tragedy, but also the beauty that can come from it all,” he tells Atwood Magazine. “This is the most vulnerable material I’ve ever released, and it is cathartic to share my story in this way. The LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY album is a thank you to everyone who has loved and supported me for who I am – the artist, the husband, the father, the human being. I am very proud of this album and am excited to share it.”

Carter further details his momentous return to solo music-making, as well as his impressive longstanding commitment to the Backstreet Boys, in the following interview with Atwood Magazine.

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:: stream/purchase LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY here ::

:: connect with Nick Carter here ::

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A CONVERSATION WITH NICK CARTER

Atwood Magazine: What vision did you have as you began making your new album, LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY? In what ways does the finished project best achieve that vision?

Nick Carter: When I started working on the album, the name LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY had not yet occurred to me. Initially, I wanted to do an album called “Who I Am,” which was the name of my most recent solo tour. I’ve been in the music business for over three decades and yet, in some ways, I still felt as though people don’t fully know who I am. So, this album is very personal and a reflection of who I am as an artist and human being.

The album is also about the universal experiences we all face as humans when it comes to love, heartbreak, and life in general. I imagined something cinematic and emotional, a project that felt like walking through different chapters of life. I’m grateful that people all over the world have been able to connect with this album.

As of this writing, the most recent music video you've released from LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY is “Searchlight.” In what ways is this track representative of the music and themes of the rest of the album?

Nick Carter: “Searchlight” captures the heart of the album. It’s about love, but also about the process of finding your way when things feel dark. The need for hope or light is something that shows up a lot across the project. It’s something we can all relate to in life.

You've said that one of your goals for this project was to create beautiful music based on your life experiences, even though many of them may have been painful or unhappy. Can you point to some particular parts of the album that you feel accomplished that goal especially well?

Nick Carter: That was one of the biggest intentions behind the album, I wanted to turn real-life struggles into something beautiful and meaningful. A song like “Hurts to Love You” really stands out for me in that way. It came from a very personal place, but the process of writing it helped me work through a lot of emotions I had been holding onto.

Another one is “Hey Kid.” That track is essentially a letter to my younger self, filled with lessons I wish I had known earlier. It was emotional to write but also healing. I think those kinds of songs really capture what I set out to do. I wanted to be honest, even when it’s hard, and hopefully create something that others can connect with too.

Since this was your first solo album in 10 years, what are some key ways in which you feel that LOVE LIFE TRAGEDY built upon your previous records, now that you have finally relaunched your solo act?

Nick Carter: This album feels more mature and vulnerable than anything I’ve done before. A lot has happened in my life over the past ten years, and I feel as though that evolution shows up in the music. I just wanted to make music that felt real. My earlier solo projects were important steppingstones, but this one comes from a deeper place. It feels like the most complete version of myself as an artist.

In addition to the music itself, the album's release was accompanied by comic book-style music videos and a limited-edition vinyl project. What additional effects did you hope your music would achieve by being presented in such formats?

Nick Carter: I wanted to bring something special and tangible to the fans. I’m a collector at heart, so the idea of creating a comic book to accompany the album felt like a natural extension of storytelling. It’s a way to bring people deeper into the world of the album, to let them experience it visually as well as through sound.

Plus, it’s nostalgic. I grew up in a time when music came with things you could hold. I wanted to bring back a little bit of things from my era coming up.

How has your Las Vegas residency with the Backstreet Boys gone so far? What are your hopes for that concert series as it progresses in the coming months?

Nick Carter: The residency has been incredible. The Sphere is unlike any venue we’ve played before. It’s completely immersive and pushes the boundaries of what a concert can be. Performing there feels like being part of something futuristic. The energy from the fans has been amazing and we’ve worked really hard on every detail of the show. My hope is that we continue to evolve it and keep surprising people with what we can do as a group after all these years.

Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Backstreet Boys' self-titled debut album. What does this anniversary represent for you, and will you be doing anything to commemorate it?

Nick Carter: It’s honestly hard to believe it’s been nearly 30 years since our debut album came out. That anniversary means so much to us. It represents years of dedication, growth, and the incredible connection we’ve built with our fans over time. It’s something I’m really proud of. Keep an eye out, because we’re always thinking about meaningful ways to celebrate the journey.

Anything else you'd like to share with your readers and fans?

Nick Carter: I just want to say thank you. Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or just discovered my music, your support means everything. This album is a piece of my heart, and I hope it connects with people in a meaningful way. There’s more to come and I’m excited for the journey ahead.

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