August is here, which means it is time for another up and coming artist to be crowned Band of the Month. This month the honour falls to Charlotte Eriksson, a singer songwriter whose debut EP released earlier this year, "The Glass Child", literally blew our socks off.
Originally from Sweden but now residing in the UK, Charlotte's music has been creating a lot of excitement in certain circles, which comes down to the variation in music, vocals and the stories each of her songs tell. As a package it is quite frankly second to none.
Enough from us, here are Charlotte's replies to our questions:
Bio:
Charlotte Eriksson, also called the GlassChild, is from Sweden, Gothenburg, but has always gone her own way. Only 19 years old, she moved all on her own to London to prove what she can do and live her life on her own terms. Since then she has started her own record label "Broken Glass Records", produced and released her debut-EP and played at famous venues all over London.
"This is me telling the world that I survived. This is me proving all those who doubted me, wrong. This is me showing the kids out there, that those years of struggle will be the years you grow your strength."
Members:
Me and my mind. And my live band. And my amazingly talented friends who help me play on my recordings.
Influences:
I listen to a lot of different bands and genres. I love Brand New, Counting Crows, Set Your Goals, CocoRosie, Ben Harper and lots of other bands. But I'm more influenced and inspired by other things, like stories, photography, madness, dance and choreographies.
Sounds Like:
A messed up mind trying to make sense of all these universes in my head? No I don't know, I've noticed that people have a hard time with putting me into one of those genre-boxes, and everyone wants to put a label on everything so desperately. I've heard everything from a "Punk-version of Bjork and Lykke Li", to "Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Florence & the Machine thrown into a mixer with some Tori Amos". I'd describe my music as raw, organic, real and honest.
Current release and where it's available:
My debut-EP released on my own record label Broken Glass Records! It's available at all the major online stores like Itunes, Amazon etc. Links can be found at my website www.charlotteeriksson.com
Up and coming artists you would recommend:
An amazing singer/songwriter called Angus Powell. He's the definition of talent. And he's the most inspiring person. Everyone should really check him out at www.anguspowell.com
Future Plans:
In September I will get together with the Swedish organization "Ung Cancer" (Young Cancer), and I will release one single where all the profits will go to the organization, to support survivors of the disease, and help them get their life's back. My first official music-video will come out in the middle of September, and I'm now in the process of recording my second EP that will be released in December on Broken Glass Records. I'm excited to the moon and back for this EP, and especially for working with the producer Jason Wilcock (You Me At Six, We Are The Ocean etc.) on one of the tracks. The songs on my first EP will always be me and reflect who I am, but since then I have learned so much. I've been living all on my own in London, with nothing but my mind, and I've been forced to get to know myself and accept who I've become. This second EP is about making the decision to let go of who you've been and become who you are now.
Tour Dates:
I will fight my ass off to get to go on a small acoustic US-tour early next year. I think that's where my music belongs, and I can't wait to go there!
If you were the prime minister for one day, what would you do:
Free coffee and pancakes to everyone!
If you could go back to any time in history, where would you go and why:
I'd like to be 12 again. That was a good year.
Our thanks to Charlotte for taking the time to answer our questions. We suggest keeping an eye out on this talented rising star and checking her out live when she hits the road again, you will not be disappointed.
In the meantime, here is a video of 'Play Pretend', which is taken from "The Glass Child" EP.