Inside the Emotional Whiplash of Broken Down Golf Cart
Punk Head: Your work blends music, visuals, and storytelling — how do you decide which medium best expresses a specific emotion or idea?
Broken Down Golf Cart: When I first started recording my music I didn’t actually think about doing a band and playing live. I was always into music videos. There’s something special about them and so exciting when an artist you really love would announce they’re putting out a video. I figured if I didn’t plan on playing live I would want to make a visual that goes with every song - since I was very into cartoons and stop motion, this is the visual type that resonated with me the most. Eventually, we did make a band and this aspect of the project has slown down (it’s a lot of work and life gets busy!), but I do still do it sometimes. Maybe just not for every song. I’ve made some cool art that can be put on projectors for the live gigs too :). I do love weird trippy music videos always. It can have so much impact. It is my preference to do this but very time consuming. It’s comes out when it comes out and I have a great idea and a plan I get excited about.
Punk Head: The album plays with both grief and comedy — is it more a diary of contradictions or a conscious juggling act?
Broken Down Golf Cart: I think myself as a person, I am quite serious but am very silly and childlike too. So this comes out in all the art I make. I don’t think I have a choice. It’s just who I am and it bleeds into everything I do. This album was very emotional to make but the playfulness always comes out, even in grief. I wouldn’t say it’s conscious but more I just can’t help it. I can’t not be me.
Punk Head: Your debut is fully DIY — do you find freedom in autonomy or pressure in being the sole creator?
Broken Down Golf Cart: It’s both. I feel the pressure to do things well, as it is me recording and mixing the music. In the past I have worried that it might sound shit, but doing it for so many years it has become an artistic journal of getting better and experimenting and learning. The freedom is there and it feels amazing when I’m not being too hard on myself. I’ve learned to be kinder to myself and have confidence in my production decisions. It wasn’t overnight though.
Punk Head: Starting as a bedroom project and evolving into a full-length LP must have been a personal journey. Looking back, what moments of self-discovery or doubt were most pivotal to your growth as an artist?
Broken Down Golf Cart: As I mentioned, learning to trust my production choices and have confidence in them was hard. Learning that it’s ok and even great to be an individual with a style and a sound and believing in myself took time. I still have my moments but I’m getting to where I want to be in my skin and vibe and art. Discovering that my sound is unique and embracing this and becoming it more and more was apparent in my personal growth in my art.
Punk Head: Broken Down Golf Cart is quite the moniker — how did that come about, and does it hint at your creative philosophy?
Broken Down Golf Cart: Well this one comes up a lot. I hate golf. It’s a stupid sport. I am a bit broken sounding and messy and strange with my art. It’s also a gross cocktail that is made in bars in Canada and I remember it was one of the first drinks I had when I was a teenager. It’s overly sweet, a strange bright colour and it’s. Canadian. Very me.
