Brighton's alternative scene continues to produce exciting new voices, and CARNE are rapidly earning their place among them. Blending the quiet-loud dynamics of '90s grunge with a distinctly modern identity, the band have built momentum through powerful live performances, striking visual reinvention and songs packed with raw emotion. We caught up with Carmen, the driving force behind CARNE, to discuss the band's origins, musical influences, dream festival line-ups, forthcoming releases and why authenticity remains at the heart of everything they do.
CARNE have arrived with a sound that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh. Take us back to the beginning. How did the band form, and what brought the four of you together?
I formed CARNE because I wanted to start my own project. I’ve been in other bands and projects in the past, but I wanted to make this one much more personal and authentic. I knew Joe, our drummer, from the music scene in Brighton who was insane behind the kit and asked him if he was interested in joining—he said yes. I met Emia after checking out her past band and reached out to her on Instagram because she was great. Charlie is a longtime friend, and I happen to also work with him at the same French-inspired jazz bar in Brighton. He’s an awesome guitarist and another great hang. That’s pretty much it :)
Every band name has a story behind it. Why did you choose the name CARNE, and were there any other contenders before you settled on it?
I didn’t know if I wanted to do a solo project or a band, and funny enough, CARNE kind of ended up being both at the same time. I wanted something that sounded simple and catchy, sort of like an acronym. With my name being Carmen, it sounded similar, but it also gave me the ability to wear a mask in a way and let people resonate with the music itself.
I don’t think there were many other contenders, although I checked my notes app and I had written LUZ (which is my middle name), but it’s quite hard to pronounce for a lot of people. CARNE just sounds better, especially pronounced the actual way—which is CARN-AY (it’s a Spanish word, after all).
Your music carries echoes of alternative and grunge greats, but it still feels distinctly your own. Which artists, albums or scenes have had the biggest influence on the band's DNA?
Oh, so many! I’m very much into my late 90s niche, and most of my favourite songs or albums are from bands or artists' more introspective, less-acclaimed work. I think PJ Harvey is number one for sure—all of her work, but my favourite is Uh Huh Her.
I love the first album from this US artist called VAST (aka Jon Crosby); this is a really important album for me that blends folk with industrial, alt-rock, and Bulgarian choirs—just awesome. I’ve always been the biggest fan of Killing Joke’s Democracy album too. But to come back to CARNE’s influences, I think a lot of Failure, Queenadreena, Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins… and then lots of more niche bands and artists.
Looking back at those early rehearsals and first gigs, what do you remember most vividly, and when did you first realise that CARNE might be something special?
Ooh, that’s a hard question! I think CARNE has always been special to me anyway, as it’s been my most personal project to date, so I feel like I’m constantly thinking about what’s next and don't dwell overly on past gigs. I do like remembering hanging around with the others to talk about silly things—they’re a great bunch. I think the whole team around us—including the band, my manager, and everyone who supports the music is really what makes it special.
You're curating your own dream festival bill. Who are the headliners (can be dead or alive), which bands are joining you on the line-up, and what stage are CARNE playing?
Well… CARNE can’t be headlining, that’s for sure! I don’t think we’re ready to do the performance of the century, far from it. But I’d like to think of us on a mid-size stage under a big top tent maybe in the late afternoon—that’d be sick, ahahah, and a nice start.
I’d love to have Blonde Redhead performing at that festival. I saw them at Village Underground in 2023 and it was honestly one of the best shows ever, so maybe that’s one headliner. I’d also love to have one of Mike Patton’s bands like Faith No More or Tomahawk—I love both, and that would be the mental, bizarre rock that I’m so into.
Thinking of someone I’ve never seen live, I would love to see My Brightest Diamond performing her first album in full live as an anniversary thing, maybe? Basically, my festival would be an arty, alternative, grungy rock fest. How sick would that be?
You've already generated plenty of attention in a relatively short space of time. What have been the defining moments of the CARNE story so far?
We've been lucky enough to play the Electric Ballroom (Camden, London), and once you play a venue that size, you really only want to do that! That’s definitely been a big one for me.
The rebranding has also been super defining. More than just a look for the band, it’s been a way to assert myself and really have fun with it—everything is red and looks a bit more curated now, and I love that, haha!
I feel like I'm still waiting for even more defining moments to come, but heading out on an EU tour with Carsick in November is definitely going to be a cool coming-up stepping stone, too.
You're hosting the ultimate CARNE dinner party. What's on the menu, which three guests are invited (living or dead), and what's playing in the background while everyone eats?
Oh, let me cook here, ahaha! Skip the entrance—I’d be doing homemade gnocchi with a courgette, lemon, shallots, and mascarpone sauce. It’s banging, I’ve done it a few times, and it’s veggie. For dessert, I'd want to do a fondant au chocolat type cake with salted caramel on top. Something very yummy. I'd accompany that with a nice bottle of red, French Burgundy wine.
I think I’d love to cook for people who I think would be a good hang and lead to good music conversation. My three guests would be: Martin Gore from Depeche Mode, my dad (he’s a great hang and very funny), and... maybe a pop girl like Britney Spears, why not?!
If someone had never heard CARNE before and could only listen to three songs that best represent who you are as a band, which tracks would you choose and why?
I’d always say "J.U.M"—that’s the essence for sure. The quiet-loud dynamic, short and catchy, grungy, and a bit dark. I think that’s the closest to what the band is.
I should say "MSG", but I think it’s a bit too bright to be the ultimate representation, though it is the latest single so I’ll put it there. We have two more songs coming out soon, but I think this one in particular called "Crayons & Nails" is quite CARNE: a bit more dry and raw, and still quite dark and hooky, I hope, haha!
The next 12 months can be a huge period in any young band's development. What are your ambitions, and what can fans expect from CARNE over the coming year?
I have big dreams, but realistically, I’d love to play as many places and mid-size festivals as possible, and go on more tours.
We’re also putting out an EP next year, so I'm hoping it gets a good reception and acts as a stepping stone to grow a bit bigger.
Finally, a question of national importance: what's your favourite cheese, what are you eating it with, and why is everyone else wrong?
I’d say burrata per usual because it’s perfect. But we’re heading into winter now, and I’m really loving a Mont d’Or right now—the French in me is speaking right now!
Put it in the oven and eat it with potatoes and charcuterie….Heaven!
With a European tour on the horizon, new music ready to emerge and an EP planned for next year, CARNE feel like a band poised for an exciting next chapter. Grounded in personal expression yet unafraid to embrace bigger ambitions, Carmen and her bandmates are steadily carving out their own space within the alternative landscape. If tracks like "J.U.M", "MSG" and the forthcoming "Crayons & Nails" are any indication, this is a journey well worth following.
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