Hi Charlotte and thanks for taking time out to do this interview during your busy schedule in Japan. Must admit most of my colleagues are expecting me to try and ask you out, but I shall refrain so as not to upset you, and end up with one of your guitars wrapped round my ears!
Rm13: The last year has been unbelievable for you, from a fan's
perspective, what has it been like for you?
CH : Well, yep it’s been amazing! It’s been hard work promoting Meltdown and my own album at the same time, but it's been worth all the blood, sweat and tears. It took years to get my album out, so I'm very proud
Rm13: How did you get involved in the music business?
CH: I've always played music, I have two older sisters who are both
musicians and I inherited their record collections when they left for Uni. I then went on to join a band called Nightnurse when I was 15. I met Tim Wheeler when we were rehearsing in the same north London studio, and was lucky enough and a good enough guitar player to get the invitation to join his chart topping band. I never dealt with music
business executive types, I was just interested in being a guitarist.
Rm13: What would you say has been your greatest achievement so far?
CH: Recording two albums last year, and making a fucking great video for
Bastardo!
Rm13: What are your personal feelings about your album Grey will Fade?
CH: I think it's a good start, but I have bigger ambitions for the next
one.
Rm13: What was it like touring with the Darkness and playing some of the largest venues in the country?
CH: We've been friends with them for a while so it was good to see them
transform into a huge arena band. It was the easiest tour and the most
boring tour, cos we were finished so early and the arenas were usually
in the middle of nowhere..so we would just hang out in the dressing room and drink. Fun, for the most part! It's always an experience to play such massive venues, but I prefer the smaller, sweaty ones.
Rm13: What would you describe as your musical influences?
CH: David Bowie, XTC, melodic angular pop records. Women with originality
like Bjork and Kate Bush.
Rm13: The music industry tends to stereotype how we should see women,
playing pop music. What would you say to those who want to be involved
in rock music opposed to pop?
CH: I've never been asked to conform to any cliched rock chick image, and I can't ever imagine that being an issue in my career. I don't concern myself with other people's ideas of what it must be like to be a girl with a guitar, they are usually wrong and I get bored with questions about it. My advice would be to just get on with it, music is about being yourself.
Rm13: Ash has signed a new deal that will take you to America, how do you think America will take to the music and sound of Ash?
CH: We spent a year touring the states with Free All Angels and we made some fans supporting many different bands. Now we're gonna go back with a much heavier album that is great to play live, so hopefully it should go well for us.
Rm13: What are your hopes for the future, for Ash and your solo career?
CH: I'm going to write some new songs whilst we're on the road, and I know
Tim has got some new tunes up his sleeve. So I would expect some new
albums next year.
Rm13: How do you keep sane while on tour?
CH: I don't
Rm13: What do you love about touring?
CH: I love going to places like Japan, Thailand, Australia, exotic places
with different cultures. It's very strange way of living, Lots of crazy
times.
Rm13: What do you hate about touring?
CH: Being away from my family, friends and boyfriend.
Rm13: What can't you leave home without?
CH: A suitcase and my computer
Rm13: Any advice to those who wish to break into the music business?
CH: Don't trust anyone and floss