Not These Carpenters share new single, "Too Broke to Be Pretty" (Interview)

The Partridge Family Meets Slayer: Country Rockers NOT THOSE CARPENTERS Unleash “Too Broke to Be Pretty!”

Straight outta Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, family band Not Those Carpenters are flipping the script on fame, filters, and fitting in with their raucous, rebellious new single “Too Broke To Be Pretty!” — now streaming everywhere.

Somewhere between a campfire sing-along and a punk show in a barn, Not Those Carpenters have carved out their own glorious, genre-defying lane. Hailing from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, this full-throttle family band channels the heart of The Partridge Family with the bite of Slayer, rolling folk, funk, metal, gospel, and punk into one joyfully chaotic package. Their new single, “Too Broke To Be Pretty!”, is out now and ready to be screamed in your car at full volume.

Made up of Brett, Tamara, Phoenix, and Ivy-Ocean Carpenter, and Pharaoh Amnesty, Not Those Carpenters are as real as it gets: a family that sings, plays, and laughs together—and writes anthems for misfits, outcasts, and the gloriously unfiltered. “Too Broke To Be Pretty!” isn’t just a song—it’s a rallying cry.

Written by Tamara Carpenter, the song was sparked by a moment scrolling through social media.

“Wow, everyone looks so good!” she said aloud. Her daughter casually replied, “It’s probably filters.”

After diving into beauty apps and watching an awards show glitter with glam squads and gold-plated routines, Tamara had a realization: “I am too broke to be pretty.” And more importantly, she was totally okay with that.

“It costs a lot of money for the looks that they get / Fillers, filters, and things I haven’t heard of yet… / “Lovin’ myself and I don’t need your pity / Perfectly happy with my itty-bitty kitty / You’ll find me alone in the country or the city / ’Cause I’m socially awkward / And too broke to be pretty”

The band leans into their homemade charm and powerful harmonies with full confidence and a wink, delivering lines like “Do you like skulls?” and “Wanna see my rock collection?” in a way only this crew can. The result is a track that feels equal parts protest, party, and therapy session in a patchwork dress.

“The song doesn’t criticize those who engage in external methods to feel better about themselves,” says Tamara. “Rather, it’s a reminder to myself that even if I looked a certain way, I still wouldn’t blend in—I’m socially awkward. And I’m okay with that!”

Whether you’re dressed to the nines or covered in cat hair, Not Those Carpenters are here to remind you: beauty fades, but riff-driven joy and radical self-acceptance are forever.

Because you don’t need a ring light to rock. You just need a family, a fuzz pedal, and the courage to be awkward.

Hi, Not Those Carpenters! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?

Tamara: Hello, Canadian Beats! Thank you for taking an interest in our music! NTC is a family band based out of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.

Our musical style is very eclectic. We never try to squeeze any of our songs into a specific “genre box”. The songs are written; however, they come out in the most authentic way possible. The song dictates the genre. Not the other way around. As a result, we have written everything from Gospel to singer/songwriter to heavy metal and everything in between.

“Too Broke To Be Pretty!” is such a bold and fun title—what was the moment when you realized it had to be a song?

Tamara: Haha, well, I was scrolling through social media and thought aloud,” Man! Everyone looks so good!” To which my daughter replied,( rather nonchalantly), ”It’s probably filters”. At the time, I had no idea what ”filters” were! She gave me a quick tutorial, and my mind was blown! Similarly, I was watching an awards show and thought, “Wow, they all look so good! My goodness, the upkeep would be pricey! “I started a mental inventory: manicures, extensions, makeup, etc., and realized I am” Too Broke to be Pretty”! I wrote the lyrics and brought them to our producer, Ben Crane, and said, ”This needs to be a fun country/ rockabilly style song”! He was delighted, as the country is his typical wheelhouse. I have to say, he has been wonderful to work with and has risen to every challenge and variety of music we have thrown at him!

You’ve said this track isn’t a diss on beauty culture, but more of a personal declaration. How do you balance humor and heart when writing about something so personal?

Tamara: Definitely not. “There’s nothing wrong with it; Go for it, if you’re able, but for me, no way, not that financially stable!” People have the choice to do whatever makes them feel more comfortable with themselves.

As far as balancing humour and heart…

It’s just the truth. Would I like to look better? Sure! But the reality is that:

A.I am not a young woman anymore.

B. I really can’t afford all of the expenses surrounding external beauty. Therefore, I had better make peace with myself! Besides, I am so clueless about all of the different, latest, and greatest fashions, beauty products, and techniques anyway.

C. Even if I looked a certain way. There is no use in trying to change who I am to fit in, as I am socially anxious anyway and can’t be bothered with figuring out all of the social nuances. People will say what they are going to say and do what they are going to do.

I am just going to be over here, wearing what I like, hanging out with my cat, collecting rocks, taking pictures, making art, and minding my own business. If that makes me weird, so be it. I am cool with that!

Your music blends punk, gospel, metal, and folk, which is kind of chaos in the best way. Was that fusion intentional or just how things naturally came together in your house?

Tamara: See the first answer. We do our best to honour the songs as they are channelled through us.

Who are we to argue with “The Muse”? It is never about ego. Whomever can best deliver the song is the one who will perform it. Sometimes, that means outsourcing.