Julian Casablancas on TV, Film and Video

Julian Fernando Casablancas (born August 23, 1978) is a solo artist, vocalist, and chief songwriter of the American rock band The Strokes.

Early Life, Education, and Personal Life

Julian Casablancas was born in New York, New York, to Catalan-American business mogul John Casablancas, the founder of Elite Model Management, and Jeanette Christiansen (or Christensen), a former model who was Miss Denmark in 1965. He has four half-siblings through his father's first and third marriages. His paternal grandfather, Fernando Casablancas, is a well-known textile businessman. Julian's parents were divorced when Casablancas was nine, and he was raised by his mother in New York City[1].

The first original member of The Strokes whom Casablancas met was Nikolai Fraiture, who attended Lycée Français de New York with him (Nikolai graduated in 1997[2], Julian in 1996[3]). When he was 14, Casablancas was caught drinking before school and consequently was forced twice a week to attend a rehabilitation program called Phoenix House[4]. Soon afterwards, his father sent him to Institut Le Rosey,[5] an elite boarding school in Switzerland. It was during Julian's brief stay in Switzerland that he met future Strokes member Albert Hammond, Jr.[6] Casablancas attended The Dwight School[7] with two other future Strokes, Nick Valensi and Fabrizio Moretti.[8]

Julian married The Strokes' former assistant manager, Juliet Joslin Casablancas, on 5 February 2005 in New York City.[9] They are expecting their first baby in February 2010.[10]

Musical career

The Strokes

Julian Casablancas' vocals feature a distinct delivery as well as a wide range in pitch. His signature vocal style combines elements of sing-speak and soul, drawing influences most notably from Robert Pollard and Lou Reed. He has also said that Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is his favorite song of all time.[11]

As The Strokes principal songwriter, he has the greatest impact on their sound and has been known to be extremely meticulous with it. While Casablancas composes on a variety of instruments, he uses the keyboard to write complex arrangements that he later transposes to fit The Strokes' guitar-driven lineup.

Another recent change has come in the recording of his vocals, which is significantly clearer and louder than on their first two albums. On The Strokes' first two albums, Casablancas would always use a filter when singing. He changed this on First Impressions of Earth. Casablancas says this was adjusted only because it fit the new songs' styles more, and not because he was any less critical about his voice.[citation needed]

Solo Album

On 18 September, UK fans got their first taste of a full song from the album, as Zane Lowe played the track "11th Dimension" on an evening show. It was then later revealed that this would be the first single from Phrazes for the Young, released on November 2 in the UK and November 3, 2009, in the US. Recorded in Los Angeles, Nebraska and Casablancas' home city New York, the album was produced by Jason Lader, with additional production from Bright Eyes' Mike Mogis.[12]

To celebrate the release, Julian performed a series of shows every Friday night in November in Los Angeles. Casablancas has stated that he wanted to present a "series of over-the-top Disney style shows".[13]

Julian Casablancas is set to tour with The Sick Six in Europe starting November 30, 2009. They will be playing shows in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and London.

Other work

Known to not play much on Strokes' recordings, Julian has proved himself an able multi-instrumentalist through guest appearances. He's played casio guitar on "Sick, Sick, Sick" by Queens of the Stone Age, bass guitar and backing vocals on Albert Hammond, Jr.'s "Scared", and the second set of drums on the Strokes' "Evening Sun".

He has also served as inspiration for several other musicians. For instance, Courtney Love's song "But Julian, I'm a Little Bit Older Than You", from her debut solo album America's Sweetheart (2004), was written about Julian Casablancas.[14]

In 2008, Julian recorded a song with Santigold (back then Santogold) and Pharrell of N*E*R*D called "My Drive Thru" for Converse. He also appears in the ad campaign.

In 2009, Julian recorded a song with Andy Samberg, Tim Jameson, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer of SNL and The Lonely Island called "Boombox" for their debut album. He also collaborated with Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse on the song "Little Girl".

Julian performed "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" (based on a Saturday Night Live skit) on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (12/21/09).

Selected discography

As a member of The Strokes

• Is This It (2001)
• Room on Fire (2003)
• First Impressions of Earth (2006)

As a solo artist

• Phrazes for the Young (2009) – UK #19 AUS #55[15] NZ #34[16] US #35
• I Wish It Was Christmas Today (EP) (2009)

References

1. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1148114/
2. ^ http://www.lfnyalumni.org/en/classmate/classmateresults/classmateresults.php?criteria=1997
3. ^ http://www.lfnyalumni.org/en/classmate/classmateresults/classmateresults.php?criteria=1996
4. ^ http://www.phoenixhouse.org/locations/new-york/
5. ^ LE ROSEY :: Ecole privée internationale suisse
6. ^ http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherStrokes.htm
7. ^ http://www.dwight.edu/home/
8. ^ http://www.jimdero.com/OtherWritings/OtherStrokes.htm
9. ^ http://gawker.com/031185/strokes-attach-juliet-joslin-to-ironically-wear-white
10. ^ http://ripcordnews.com/tag/julian-casablancas-wife-pregnant/
11. ^ "Q & A with JULIAN CASABLANCAS, AUG 2009"". YouTube. August 7, 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzMJyUboKwQ#t=2m54s. 
12. ^ NME Exclusive
13. ^ [1]
14. ^ Courtney Love : California Ventura Theatre on NME.com
15. ^ http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm
16. ^ http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp

External links

• Official Website