- Words Notion Staff
UK, EU and US tour dates await rising pop-punk star Charlotte Sands, but beforehand, we spoke with the songwriter about writing with freedom, musical idols and her riotous new EP, 'Good Now'.
There’s a lot to love about Charlotte Sands, the Nashville-based songwriter combining punchy alt-pop and raucous rock n roll. Breaking onto the scene with her viral TikTok hit “Dress”, which entered the Billboard Top 40, the multifaceted musician captures her artistic diversity through genre-spanning productions. Having just won ‘Best Breakthrough Album’ at the Heavy Music Award, the rising star doesn’t see failure as an option, while her new EP, ‘Good Now’, proves why she’s one of America’s brightest voices.
Growing up in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Charlotte’s family were always supportive of her natural creativity. Armed with a competitive instinct, the singer’s worked tirelessly to make her dream a reality, and hundreds of millions of streams later, she finally feels comfortable next to those that she’s idolised for so long.
Standing up for what she believes in, Charlotte’s aware of those who’ve trailblazed a path for her to walk on. From P!nk to Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne, the energy created by ‘00s emo and punk-pop is so prevalent in the 26-year-old’s music, but she brings a country flavour akin to Nashville’s local community of musicians.
‘Good Now’ epitomises this intersection, as Charlotte tells tales of self-reflection and self-mourning over various backdrops. After experiencing an overwhelming sense of disconnection, the artist found peace in creating these six tracks. Support slots for 5 Seconds Of Summer and The Band Camino await, but before then, we got acquainted with Charlotte, talking about writing with freedom, future tour plans and more.
You’ve previously been described as a rising artist for fans of Paramore, Avril Lavigne, Olivia Rodrigo – how did it feel to be associated with those artists? Does any of their music connect with you on a personal level?
I feel so honoured to be brought up in the same sentences as those women let alone be compared to them. It feels amazing and pretty hard to believe. A huge part of the reason I’m in this industry and have the freedom to make the music I do is because of so many incredible women and artists that have come before me and continue to inspire me on so many levels. I’ve listened to Paramore and looked up to Hayley Williams since I was in middle school and she’s influenced a lot of my music as well as a lot of the decisions I’ve made throughout my career.
They’re all loud and unapologetic women – is that something you’d like to emulate for your fans?
Absolutely. I have always been someone who stands up for things I believe in and that I think are important. I fully intend to continue doing that. I’ve always been a pretty stubborn person and I’m proud of the fact that I defend the things, the people, and the art that matters to me.
Who are your personal idols and biggest influences musically?
When I was growing up I mainly listened to artists like Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Michelle Branch. I loved their storytelling and their ability to represent emotions and experiences I wasn’t fully able to understand or communicate at the time. They made me want to start writing songs and were the main reason I ended up moving to Nashville right after high school. I also listened to a lot of Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, Avril Lavigne, No Doubt, and Hayley Williams. I loved the energy in their music and that’s when I realised I wanted to not only write the songs but perform them as well. I think since then I’ve tried to blend the two things together to create songs that have the stories and details like those folk songs did, while having the energy the pop-rock ones bring.
Things have been moving fast for you recently, from firsts on tour to winning the Heavy Music Award for Best Breakthrough Album for Love and Other Lies. What did getting that recognition mean to you?
I feel so grateful to have won that award and to be able to experience that kind of love and support. I’m so proud of the music I’ve made and am really happy that other people like it as well. To be recognised in a category alongside so many artists and bands that I look up to is a huge honour and a very special memory.
Now dropping your Good Now EP, do you feel extra pressure on the project?
I honestly don’t feel any pressure. All I can do is make the best music I possibly can and hope that other people relate to it or connect to it somehow. I try not to spend time or energy on things that I have no control over and instead focus on things that make me excited or that I think might excite other people. I love creating things and as long as I am able to do that I will be happy, the rest is just icing on the cake.
What new directions does the project take your sound in?
I think it represents a lot of the different influences I have sonically. There are heavier songs, stripped-back songs and everything in between. I love this project so much because it reflects me in so many different ways instead of trying to stay in a box. I feel really free to write and release whatever kinds of songs I want to and that’s a really wonderful feeling that I hope everyone who listens is able to experience.
What themes were you drawn to and inspired by lyrically writing this project?
A lot of my inspiration came from the feeling and experience of disassociation. It’s something I’ve struggled with a lot and continue to struggle with and most of these songs were written with that feeling present. Some more so than others but it was always in the back of my mind in the writing sessions. I still at times feel super detached from reality and from my body and life, it’s a really strange thing but also very common. I hope these songs help people feel less alone or disconnected knowing that other people experience these things as well and I’m really grateful for the songs that have made me feel that way throughout my life.
How does writing music help you to work through and move past those experiences?
Writing music to me feels like a confession. I’m able to take all the thoughts out of my head and off of my shoulders and put them somewhere else. It allows me to vent and be honest without fear of any judgement and I’m so incredibly grateful that I get to express myself in that way. I have always loved journaling and think it is such a helpful way to de-stress or make me feel less anxious and songwriting to me is that same exact thing but with a melody behind it.
What song are you most proud of on it + why?
I don’t think there is one song I’m most proud of because I’m proud of all of them in different ways. Some because of the melodies or lyrics but others because of the experiences they were written about and the fact that I was able to get through it. I’m really excited about the title track “Good Now” because it’s sonically very different from anything I’ve released yet and I really love it. I’m also really excited about “Lovesick” because it feels representative of my singer-songwriter roots and I love being able to show that side of myself.
What song was the most challenging to write + why?
Personally, I think “Alright” was the most challenging to write because of how personal it was to me at the time. We wrote it in a way that convinced me to have hope when I felt really lost and alone in my life. It was basically a song written about how I wish I could feel at that time and I’m really proud that I get to look back at that period of my life and have proof of how much I’ve changed and overcome in the 3 years since we wrote it.
Where can we catch you playing the project live?
I am so excited to be touring this fall in the US with The Band Camino and then UK and Europe with 5 Seconds Of Summer. These tours are a dream come true and I couldn’t be more excited for the shows.
