Pete Doherty tells us about his label anniversary and teases Babyshambles’ return
nme.comPete Doherty has spoken to NME about the five-year anniversary of his record label Strap Originals, the return of Babyshambles and the future of The Libertines.Strap Originals is home to artists such as Trampolene, Real Farmer and Pregoblin, all of whom performed at London’s the 100 Club last Thursday (May 30) as part of a showcase tour around the UK to mark the label’s birthday.Doherty gave a short acoustic performance at the event, which included a surprise appearance from Libertines bandmate Carl Barât.
Together they played ‘Run Run Run’, the lead single from their recent Number One album ‘All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade’.He also performed a new song, tentatively titled ‘Pot of Gold’, which is about his daughter Billie-May, who turned one at midnight that night. “Hush little darling, don’t you cry,” its lyrics read, “Daddy’s trying to write you a lullaby…”Prior to the show, NME huddled with Doherty (and his dog, Gladys) on a staircase at the back of the venue.
At one point, his wife, the filmmaker Katia de Vidas, came by with Billie-May. The singer reflected on his difficulties in procuring an American visa due to previous drug convictions and explained that he’d written “seven or eight” songs in the last 10 days alone: “It’s been a very creative time”.NME: Hi Pete!
What was the original ethos behind Strap Originals?Doherty: “With the Puta Madres [his folk side project], everything was very self-contained and I don’t want to say, ‘Done on the cheap’, but I can’t think of a better expression than that.
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