Melbourne artist Charlz recently came to Rave It Up HQ to chat about her new track Feather with Lliam + Latroit.
Hey Charlz. Since this is your first time on Rave It Up, we’d love to get to know you a little bit better. Firstly we’d all love to know, how did you originally get started in the industry?
I played every open mic night I could find as a teenager with a fake ID. I recorded some home demos and passed them to as many people as possible. I eventually linked up with some record labels and started playing live and recording with more support within the industry.
Throughout your career, what have you found the hardest thing about the industry?
There is so much incredible music being made around the world and so much of it doesn’t make it. Wonderful artists are unsuccessful not for their lack of talent or high quality of art. It’s one of the challenges of an artist’s career to map out why and how your creations are going to flourish in the industry.
Have you had any problems with haters or bullying? (If so, how did you get through it?)
There are always people who are going to try to invalidate you. Some may be people close to you or strangers you’ve never met. Some may be outright mean and some may be covert invalidations. Don’t take it on. Put your head down and don’t lower your integrity just because other people do. Have fun pursuing your dreams.
You have just returned home from spending 6-months on your music and career in LA. How have you found the differences between the industry in Australia and America?
It’s very different but nice to spend time in both. The entertainment industry in LA is so big, so many people, so many opportunities. It’s really great to be amongst so many creative humans in one place. Australia is a nice contrast because it’s much smaller and it feels like over half the people in it are my good friends. It’s nice to spend time here getting my live show up and running on home turf.
You have just released your new track Feather with Lliam & Latriot. How long did it take for you to create this track?
The writing and recording of Feather was done across two days. We revisited it a few times over the last year to get it to a place we all loved. It’s a really special track for us because it was the first song out of many I did with Lliam + Latroit.
Was this song written about someone in particular?
There was definitely some heavy inspiration for the content…they’re best kept a mystery muse.
The track has quite a Flume vibe to it too. Was that intentional? Is he an inspiration of yours?
Oh interesting. I hadn’t drawn that comparison myself but I know what you mean. It wasn’t intentional no, but I’m certainly a fan of his beautiful music.
How was it working with Lliam & Latriot?
So good! They’re a dream team. Both super talented in different ways and I have strong friendships with them both. We all bring something different to the table and work really well together. I definitely plan to keep making music with those guys.
In early November, you opened for US R&B star Khalid. How was your experience with that?
That was great fun. Really great to play songs like Feather on such huge sound systems with so much bass. I’m very grateful to have landed such an incredible experience so early on in my solo career.
What’s Khalid like in person? Did you get to spend much time with him?
He’s such a nice warm person and made me feel really welcome on the tour. He’s certainly a busy guy but he made time to talk – big respect for that talented guy.
You performed in Melbourne’s 5000-seat Festival Hall. Was that nerve-wrecking at all?
Yes definitely! But the enjoyment of playing my music and communicating with a huge audience overrides the nerves pretty quick.
Your next solo single is Colors and it’s produced by Grammy award-winning producer M-Phazes. How does it feel to be working with a Grammy award-winning producer?
He’s such a great guy. We were friends before starting to work on my music so it really makes me so happy to have my first solo release produced by him. And he’s just so goddam good at what he does. We’ve got a bunch more songs in the works which I’m real excited about. I’m feeling pretty lucky right now with the people I’m working with as Latroit just got nominated for a Grammy too – so much talent around me right now.
When can we expect this single?
February.
Apart from this single, what else can we expect from you in the future?
More music releases throughout the year, a bunch of live shows, and perhaps you may hear my music on some movies.
What advice would you give to the readers who want to follow their dreams of becoming a singer?
Action. Stop thinking about getting it right from the very beginning and just make as much music as you can. Make as much music as you can as thats how you’ll become great.
If the listeners would like to contact you or find out what you are up to, where should they go?
Instagram: Charlzinsta
Soundcloud.com/callmecharlz
Twitter: callmecharlz
Thank you so much for having a chat to us today Charlz.
Thank you!
– Interviewed by Lauren Yeates
