THE MODERN RECORD INTERVIEWS: 'CHARLOTTE'
We caught up with upcoming artist ‘Charlotte’ ahead of the release of her debut EP
CHARLOTTE
1. What/who first inspired you to start making music?
“My grandparents used to perform as a soul duo so watching their shows and being surrounded by the great music they used to cover definitely inspired me to do music. However, I think that writing music was innate. Songwriting was like diary writing for me and I don’t know what inspired me to do it but it proved to be a really effective emotional crutch from a very early age.”
2. If you were going to cover a song, what would it be and why?
“It would have to be something that I felt I could put my own spin on and breathe new life into. I actually heard ‘You’re The Voice’ by John Farnham in an airport whilst I was on tour last month and thought ‘This could be a really cool song to reinvent’.”
3. We noticed you’re releasing a new EP this year, is this your first EP? and Also seen you just released a single from the EP, what’s the message you’re trying to get across, and what has inspired you to write your upcoming EP and Single?
“Yes this is my first EP out in May and I’ve just released my first single. A lot of firsts haha! Its called ‘Nowhere To Hide’; a confessional, honest and open collection of tunes that documents many of the things I’ve battled whilst growing up. Mainly insecurities surrounding body image, dealing with loneliness and how that impacted the way I’ve presented myself to my friends and family. I hope that people can find a piece of themselves within the songs and perhaps find comfort in the knowledge that they’re not the only ones who feel the way they do.”
4. How do you plan to promote your upcoming new EP? Noticed you’re playing few shows are these your first shows?
“I’m going to play as many shows as possible, I don’t think there’s a more powerful way of engaging new fans than to be in the room with them, to be vulnerable onstage and to then be able to have conversations after the show with people and thank them for sharing that moment with you. I’m going on my second European support tour of this year in March with Picture This then I finish the run with my first headline shows in London and Hull! I’m playing The Waiting Room in London on March 26th and The Tunnel at home in Hull on March 30th, I’m so so buzzing for them.”
5. Is there any bands and artists you would to love to support on tour in future?
“There are MANY bands and artists that I am dying to tour with, I don’t even know where to start. I’d love to tour with Coldplay (shooting for the stars there but if my dad’s not already proud of me this would seal the deal) or Tom Misch so that we could jam tunes backstage and work out a cheeky collab for his next project… I think his stuff is really cool.”
6. Is there any place in the world you would like to visit or hope to play in the future?
“I love travelling so I hope that music manages to take me all over the world. I think it would be really cool for me, personally, to be able to play a show in Singapore. I lived there for two years with my family and because I was so homesick I never fully appreciated how much of an amazing place it is. I’d love to go back and create great memories to replace the not-so-great ones I have currently.”
7. Is there any UK venue you would love to play a gig at in the future?
“At home in Hull I want to sell out a show at The Welly Club. It’s a 5 or 600 capacity nightclub/music venue where I’ve had some of the best nights out of my life. It would be so mint to play there and have all my mates come down to the show.”
8. What are your plans for the next five years?
“Keep writing, keep playing shows, continue to learn from those I’m lucky enough to collaborate with and release plenty of music that I’m proud of. This industry is so unpredictable so I try not to decide which way it’s going to take me. I hope that if I work hard and surround myself with good people who are passionate about my project, the next five years will be great.”
9. What do you think of the current music scene, is there anything you like right now?
“I think music is properly exciting at the moment. There are some incredible artists coming through. I am obsessed with Leon Bridges’ album ‘Good Thing’ apparently I spent over 30 hours listening to it last year. I saw Sam Fender live last year in Leeds, his voice and the songwriting blew my mind, so glad he’s getting the recognition he deserves. I’m loving Sigrid, Lewis Capaldi, Rex Orange County, Clean Cut Kid, Vistas, H.E.R. and they’re just names off the top of my head.“
10. Lastly what advice would you give to upcoming artists/bands looking to start out in the music scene?
“I mean, I could probably use some advice myself, as this is all new to me too. The one thing I firmly believe is ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get’. I hear it said so much that you’ve got to get lucky or that it’s all about timing but I disagree. I believe that you create your own luck by getting yourself out of bed in the morning, being proactive, saying ‘yes’ to opportunities no matter whether they’re big or small (even if you’ve got to rearrange a social event in order to do something) and making sacrifices in order to always present the best version of yourself.“
STREAM CHARLOTTE’S NEW SINGLE ‘I TELL LIES’ BELOW:
CHARLOTTE | UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
06 March 2019 | STOCKHOLM Fryshuset Klubben
07 March 2019 | COPENHAGEN Ideal Bar
08 March 2019 | HAMBURG Nochtspeicher
09 March 2019 | ERFURT, THURINGEN Franz Mehlose
11 March 2019 | ZURICH Plaza Klub
12 March 2019 | SEGRATE Circolo Magnolia
14 March 2019 | AMSTERDAM Melkweg
15 March 2019 | COLOGNE Luxor
16 March 2019 | PARIS Theatre Le Passage Vers Les Etoiles
18 March 2019 | BRIGHTON Haunt
19 March 2019 | LONDON O2 Forum Kentish Town
21 March 2019 | BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
22 March 2019 | MANCHESTER Gorilla
23 March 2019 | GLASGOW The Old Fruitmarket