Northamptonshire born singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter has quite frankly, an incredible voice. Her EP Fault Line was released a couple of years back in 2015.
If you haven’t heard Charlotte’s music before, I highly recommend that you check it out (video below), and we are very grateful that she took some time out to answer our questions.
You seem to draw inspiration from quite a variety of influences, but who for you are some of the main ones you go to?
I would say at the moment my main influences are Alabama Shakes and Led Zepplin.
You have a terrific soulful voice, when did you discover you could sing like that, and how did you develop it?
I have never paid much attention to when it changed, but I know it’s been something which has grown over a long period of time. I don’t like to think too much about it, I like most things to be natural and accept them for what they are. But I do like to make sure I look after it.
You studied Popular Music at the University of Derby, how useful has that been to you, what insights has that given you?
I met a lot of other great musicians at university and the whole uni experience was an incredible time. Musically it gave me confidence to work towards being a full time musician.
You’re from Northamptonshire, so I’m presuming you’ve been to the Roadmenders, and if so what are your most favourite memories from that venue?
One of the first gigs I saw was at the Roadmender to see Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly who were a big inspiration to me in my younger years. The second time was The Maccabees just after their first record. It felt really special to be in a small room with a band that you know we’re going to be huge.
Sofar Sheffield, that was a bit of a different setting to play in, I think you’ve said that it was one of the more unique places! What other venues have you enjoyed playing in?
I really enjoy the majority of the music venues in Birmingham. It’s such a good city for music. My favourite venue there is The Hare and Hounds, which I have played with Marika Hackman for the first time.
Are there certain places that seem to have slightly tougher audiences?
Yes, London is mostly tough as there is so much music going on and people can be picky about what they watch. Manchester also, for the same reasons. When I have sold the 2 cities out I’ll know I’m doing well.
You released “In The Night” some time ago now, how do you think you’ve developed as a musician since then Has you approach to writing songs changed?
I wrote in the night at a period in my life where there was a lot of change, personally and musically. I was beginning to listen to different styles of music and found myself writing in a slightly darker way. My song writing process has never changed since I was 14. These days I like to be a little more braver with my choice of music and lyric writing. I write honestly and I would never want that to change.
It had a great reception on Youtube, how did you feel when you saw such great comments? Were you nervous before that video was uploaded?
I’m nervous before every release – that’s because I care about it so much. If I wasn’t nervous I would feel as if I didn’t love it anymore. It’s always lovely and quite overwhelming when you hear other people are enjoying and finding there own meaning within the music I write. It’s something I was always cherish.
On your EP Fault Line, ‘Wasted’ is about trusting someone you shouldn’t and is remarkably personal. How hard was that to write and share with people?
For some reason which I can never quite find, I have never had a problem with sharing my personal experiences in my songs. The music I write has always been honest so I have never really known any different.
A friend of yours went to one of your shows and asked about your songs. You wrote in response to them, “Sometimes the Blues”, have they heard it and how did they react?
I never did tell them and I probably never will. It’s not because it’s a bad thing I just feel sometimes things are better left unsaid. If anything there is a magic to that song that the person made me realise.
Web Links:
Website – http://www.charlottecarpentermusic.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/charlottecarpentermusic
Instagram – https://instagram.com/ccarpentermusic
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/charlottecarpentermusic
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ccarpentermusic
