Julian Casablancas for the relations between the band members, Casablancas claims that in pursuit of a solo career, he is protecting the integrity of the [Strokes] vibe. In having a musical project separate from The Strokes, he is able to “chase down any idea [he] wants”, which he would refrain from doing with the band. His first solo album, "Phrazes for the Young" (inspired by the Oscar Wilde book "Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young"), was released on November 2 in the UK and November 3, 2009, in the United States. Recorded in Omaha, Nebraska, and Casablancas' home city
Julian Casablancas Casablancas' father John Casablancas was a business mogul who founded the Elite Model Management. His second wife, the 1965 Miss Denmark Jeanette Christiansen, is Julian's mother. They divorced when Julian was 6 years old. After the divorce, Jeanette married a classical painter Sam Adoquei. As a stepfather, Sam was a positive influence on Julian and helped him shape his artistic taste. Commenting on Adoquei's influence, Casablancas has claimed, "He taught me everything about art and philosophy. He taught me that the best artists were the ones that worked the hardest.” Julian has several half-siblings, including an elder sister from his