CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES INTERVIEW
New York-based, Jersey-born singer-songwriter
Charlotte Sometimes defies easy explanation. A regular on last year’s Warped Tour and a favorite of Alternative Press Magazine, some might mistake her music for scenester pop or Dashboard Confessional girl edition until they actually hear the incredibly clever, insightful, and soulful creations that are her songs. Which isn’t to say that she’s too good for those crowds, more so that she takes their sonic palette and expands them into a delightfully precocious world that’s a mixture of darkly humorous alt-rock and catchy pop-hooks. Suffice to say, we are unabashed Charlotte Sometimes fans, which makes the fact that we managed to score an interview with the young singer for Cannibal Cheerleader. Here’s a sample:
CC: Describe your sound to the uninitiated. What is Charlotte Sometimes all about? What is your music’s message?
CS:
Charlotte Sometimes is a mix of dark and moody singer-songwriter chick mixed with beats, pop, and a little bit of everything. My music isn’t necessarily trying to portray any certain message, it’s just a journey through bi-polar emotions that most people can relate to.
CC: Where do you draw inspiration from? Personal experience? Or do you think of yourself more as a fictional storyteller?
CS:
I draw my inspiration from my own life and stories I create in my own crazy head. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if a certain situation happened to me and I am pretty emotional, so it’s easy to write a song like that and feel sincere about it. But yes, I am a drama queen, I am full of stories… I probably have more than I should.
Read more of the interview at the end of the update!
Charlotte Sometimes – “Losing Sleep”
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NEW BAND CHEER: VERMILION LIES
Cannibal Cheerleader faithful have been asking us about the inclusion of
Vermillion Lies on the Blood Bath 09 bill, wondering who this band is and where they’re from. If you haven’t heard yet, this Oakland duo is the new face of Victorian, burlesque punk, with a wicked sound so reminiscient of the Dresden Dolls that they’ll be opening for Amanda Palmer on her spring tour. Still, not ones to make derivative music, Vermillion Lies craft wild circus anthems that surprise and enthrall, especially during their notorious live shows. Check out a few mp3s below as well as a live video and be sure and check them out at this year’s Blood Bath 09.
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CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES INTERVIEW (CONT’D)
Here’s another chunk of the Charlotte Sometimes interview, the full version of which will be printed in our third edition of the Cannibal Cheerleader zine, available at our SXSW Day Party/Blood Bath on Wed. Mar. 18th at the Peacock here in Austin. Be there from 12-6pm or be square!
CC: Your debut album seemed to garner a lot of attention, gaining a lot of press and attention from magazine like Alternative Press and TV stations like VH1 – does the extra exposure give you validation for your art or does it put on a lot of added pressure?
CS:
No matter where I am at in my life or how I old I become, I will always put pressure on myself. Even when no one was watching me, I was still a complete perfectionist and freak about putting too much pressure on myself. It’s definitely something I’ve been trying to work on, because I put so much pressure on myself that sometimes I am unable to get anything done, because I am paralyzed with fear. BLAH BLAH… I should go see a shrink, shouldn’t I? haha
CC: When we first saw you, you were performing at the AP Mag SXSW party and you later traveled with the Warped Tour – is that an audience you identify with? Your music can hardly be described as ’screamo’, do the kids at these shows seem to connect with your soft heartfelt lyrics?
CS:
Hmmm that’s a good question. I think I am just happy with any fan that I get at this point in the game. It was a good opportunity at the time. And I’ll never say never again… because who knows?
CC: Your album Waves and the Both of Us was a stunning debut that seemed really genuine and honest. Describe to us the process behind the album, how you chose the songs that would eventually make up the album, and now, a year later, how you think it’s been received since it’s release?
CS:
I basically just wrote a bunch of songs over years and kind of just put them all in one big pile and sifted through them to find the best ones. A lot of the songs were written when I graduated high school and was working on the CD, so it really reflects a lot of change, uncertainty, bad boyfriends, insecurity, and sleep issues… I am happy that the people who heard it loved or hated it. I am one of those artists you either love or hate, and I’m actually super thankful for that. At least they have an opinion.
CC: Is it difficult being on tour away from family and friends? Do you find a lot of support on the road?
CS:
Yes, it’s super hard to be away from my family and friends, but believe me when you’re home after a while… it’s a little BORING. haha. I had a great friend in my keys player who has always been there for me. He just recently got signed and I am so proud of him.
CC: What’s it like being on a label like Geffen? Is there a lot of pressure to move units? Do you have a lot of artistic leeway and freedom?
CS: I have a lot of artistic leeway and freedom, no one has yet to tell me what to do, which I guess is a blessing and a curse. With any label comes frustration, but we don’t have to go there.
CC: What is it for an artist to ‘make it’ in today’s music world? Have you made it?
CS:
If I were to say I’ve made it, then that would be a bit of premature confidence. If you’re satisfied with where you are, then what keeps you going? I’m always going to want more for my career, because it keeps me motivated and pushing. I am thankful, blessed, and happy with how things have gone so far, but I’m anxious to keep things moving. 
Charlotte Sometimes – “Toy Soldier”
Comments? Thanks Charlotte!
RILO KILEY PLAYING STUBB’S JUNE 16TH
Quite a birthday bash we had last night, thanks to all who came! In celebration of the ‘morning-after’ feeling here’s a reminder: Rilo Kiley will be playing Stubb’s on Monday June 16th as the last stop of their Under the Blacklight tour. You know we’ll be there, blogging hats on!
Here’s a proper hangover tune from RK:
Rilo Kiley – “The Angels Hung Around”
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BE YOUR OWN PET PLAYED A SECRET AUSTIN SHOW?
Be Your Own Pet apparently played a secret gig at the Broken Neck after their Stubb’s show last Thursday. Why weren’t we invited?! Oh well, the Austin Chronicle was there and they have some pictures up – enjoy!
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NEW CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES VIDEO
Here’s a video for “How I Could Just Kill A Man”, the first single from Charlotte Sometimes‘ debut album Waves and the Both of Us.
Charlotte Sometimes – “How I Could Just Kill A Man” (c’mon VH1, learn to provide the embed!)
That’s all for this week, see everyone next week (Monday brings a special article from yours truly! Hint: it has to do with waffles…)
New York-based, Jersey-born singer-songwriter Charlotte Sometimes defies easy explanation. A regular on last year’s Warped Tour and a favorite of Alternative Press Magazine, some might mistake her music for scenester pop or Dashboard Confessional girl edition until they actually hear the incredibly clever, insightful, and soulful creations that are her songs. Which isn’t to say that she’s too good for those crowds, more so that she takes their sonic palette and expands them into a delightfully precocious world that’s a mixture of darkly humorous alt-rock and catchy pop-hooks. Suffice to say, we are unabashed Charlotte Sometimes fans, which makes the fact that we managed to score an interview with the young singer for Cannibal Cheerleader. Here’s a sample:
Here’s another chunk of the Charlotte Sometimes interview, the full version of which will be printed in our third edition of the Cannibal Cheerleader zine, available at our SXSW Day Party/Blood Bath on Wed. Mar. 18th at the Peacock here in Austin. Be there from 12-6pm or be square!
