In the top of the tower, Charlotte OC sings, Charlotte OC sings for you!
By fusing together powerful vocals and meaningful lyrics, Charlotte OC is making waves in the music industry. Her latest single ‘Darkest Hour’ is an irresistibly dark anthem and it certainly wouldn’t sound out of place in a stadium. We can’t stop listening to it.
Last week, we caught up with Charlotte backstage in Manchester. In our exclusive interview, the 26-year-old singer discussed her sound as an artist and she also revealed the titles of several songs that she can’t wait for everyone to hear.
You can read highlights from the interview and hear our chat in full below!
We’re loving your latest single ‘Darkest Hour’ but for people who haven’t yet heard your music, how would you describe your sound and style?
“I would describe it as: ethereal, soulful and passionate. That’s it.”
Are there any songs that you particularly enjoyed performing live this tour?
“Yeah, some new ones that I’ve put in off the album that’s out next year. It’s the first time I’ve played them and it just always feels really nice because the other songs I’ve played a million times before. I dunno, it’s just exciting because I feel like I can really tell the difference of when I first started writing to the finished album so it’s nice.”
The lyrics of ‘Darkest Hour’ seem incredibly personal. What was the inspiration behind the song? How did you come up with it?
“The song is about watching someone who you love go through a toxic relationship. It was just a third person’s view of watching a car crash of a relationship and letting them know that you were there to help them if they needed it; but they weren’t asking for help at the end of the day so you’re just left to watch it.”
Do you usually write from personal experiences then?
“Not always. I like writing about things I’ve heard. One of the songs on the album is about the death of Princess Diana which I was really young when that happened so I don’t really think that I fully understood the whole depth of it. Then when I actually got around to properly thinking about it, it slightly blew my mind. So I had to write a song about it.”
From similes of medicine to metaphors of the devil, you paint powerful pictures with your words. Are there any lyrics that you’re particularly proud of writing?
“‘Darkest Hour’ definitely. That was when I realised that I wasn’t just writing to rhyme. I dunno, there’s a difference of being a throwaway writer where things are just really throwaway and you’re just putting it in there just so it would fit right for just the general listener. And ‘Darkest Hour’ was the moment where I was just quite hard on myself and it was a fucking bitch to write but it was worth it I think. I think I grew from writing that.”
Creating the perfect visuals also seems to be something you’re incredibly passionate about – how did you come up with the concept for the ‘Darkest Hour’ video?
“With ‘Darkest Hour’, I was working with this woman called Vicky Lawton who I also did the video for ‘On & On’ with. We just really clicked and I wanted visually for it to be two sides of me: me being just a girl from Blackburn and then the other artistic side. I wanted the transition of that to happen throughout the video. She knows me I guess and she knows that when I perform, it’s quite raw and she wanted that come across. Yeah, the video is showing the darkest hour of somebody and I think we kind of achieved that. I’m really proud of that video. Like really proud of it.”
Who would you say some of your musical influences are?
“I grew up with a lot of: Leonard Cohen, Talking Heads, Aretha Franklin and James Taylor. So it’s kind of that mix of: folk, electronic and soul which I think that’s what my music is. It’s whatever you grow up listening to, that’s what will be the kind of music you want to make. So it’s merged together in some way.”
There’s a huge buzz about your forthcoming album. What can fans expect?
“Unfortunately, the record is just me but amplified. It couldn’t be more me and I would have loved to have made something that’s a bit of an alter-ego and it’s not really me but it is. It just sounds like Blackburn, it sounds like home, and it sounds like me. I think you understand me by my music; not just by meeting me.”
What would you say some of your career highlights are to date?
“Oh my god. All of it really. I can’t believe I’m still doing it and I’m still getting away with doing it. Every day is a highlight, well that’s not true, but it all feels great. The fact that I’ve actually been able to make a record and I got to do it in the way I did with a full band. I did it in one of the most amazing studios and I worked with some fucking incredible people. It just feels like that, in itself, is a highlight.”
Are there any songs that you’re particularly looking forward to people hearing?
“Yeah, can I give away songs? I suppose. There’s a song called ‘Where It Stays’ that I’m really proud of which I wrote with a woman called Linda Perry; I cried within like 10 minutes of meeting her before we wrote the song. Then there’s ‘Running Back To You’ which I’m really proud of and ‘Choice.’”
If you could leave a message for everyone who’s supported you, what would you say?
“Thanks, that’s so lame but thanks.” (laughs)
‘Darkest Hour’ is currently available here on iTunes alongside Charlotte’s previous releases. The Blackburn-born songstress is set to release a brand new album next year and judging by the songs we’ve heard so far, it’s sure to be incredible.
After our interview, Charlotte took to the stage and it’s fair to say that the crowd loved every single second. Her vocals and stage presence were phenomenal throughout. ‘Medicine Man’, ‘Shell’ and ‘All I Need’ were three of our personal highlights and they’re all songs that you should listen out for in the near future.
As more and more people discover Charlotte OC, her fanbase continues to grow in number. 2016 has been a brilliant year for the rising star and it looks like 2017 will be even bigger and better. You can keep Charlotte on your radar by following @CharlotteOC on Twitter. We’ll also update you about Charlotte’s future releases.
What do you think of ‘Darkest Hour’ by Charlotte OC? Are you loving the song as much as us? Make sure you let us know over on Twitter @CelebMix!