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 singalong 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”
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2SB4wF8jsjFgSM50ImiVMn?si=62f728a495f541b8&nd=1&dlsi=9ea0b51858844e29
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.
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