I have been going to quite a few live shows in the last few weeks and I am especially looking forward to Charlotte Carpenter’s upcoming gigs, starting this Sunday evening in Birmingham before she visits Salford and London early next week. You can still pick up one or two tickets here.
So of course I was thrilled when Charlotte agreed to answer a few fairly random questions ahead of those shows. She gave us such detailed and considered answers that I present the answers below word for word.
If you want to know what it would sound like to hear Radiohead covered by Lucinda Williams, hello!
Q&A
Where are you from originally? What was your childhood like?
I was born in Kettering, Northants and I’m still a Midlands-based woman to this day. I was one of those kids who was always outside; skateboarding, off on bike rides, building dens, playing football. My sister and I spent a lot of time with our Grandparents too, and my favourite part of my childhood were the caravan holidays. I would give anything to just have one day with them again.
How did you get started in music as a career?
I started off playing local shows! Open mic nights, small gigs in pubs, pub gardens, small festivals and I slowly started to grow outside of my hometown. By the time I was in my early twenties, I was able to open up for bigger bands and musicians passing through my local music venue, which was The Cookie in Leicester. It was there I really learned my chops. Little by little, that network became bigger and I was able to move onto bigger cities, open for bigger artists and started to headline my own shows. I just haven’t stopped playing shows. I guess this way would be considered pretty old school these days, but it really worked for me. If it wasn’t for being able to play live as much as I did back then, I don’t think any of the cool stuff which has happened to me would have happened at all.
I’m a fan of Lucinda Williams. Is she one of your main inspirations or are there others?
Lucinda is amazing, I love her story and her grit. I’m always pushing for that slightly grittier, more alt roots sound which she has. My other main influence is Radiohead.
Tell us about your Netflix syncs. Being on a show seems to be really important now, especially for indie artists. Any tips?
I’ve been fortunate to have a few over the years which I’ll be honest helps the moneyflow. It started off with an old song of mine ‘Fire’ being on an advert for Sky. Those royalties helped me move out of my Mum’s house at 28 and into a little cottage with my partner. Then I had a few syncs on the BBC and F1 which all contributed to new guitars, amps and pedals and just eased off the pressure a bit. The Netflix one was the most fun, but surprisingly the worst paid. A song called ‘Babywoman’ landed onto Selling Sunset which is a really funny real estate series, and that came with a lot of new listeners. Syncs are interesting, some can move the needle and others not so much, and they’re really sought after. My biggest tip is to make sure you’re finding music supervisors and production companies from some of your favourite shows, make a spreadsheet, learn how to send a short but succinct email describing who you are, what your music is about and what you’re up to. I always feel like the people working for these shows care more about the message and the sound than other types of people in the industry, so telling the story is important.
You’ve been building an audience for ages but it seems 2025 was a big year for you. What is your reply to anyone saying things like ‘overnight success’?
I would say there’s no such thing. The amount of time it takes to become good at anything is longer than you think and if you’re in it for life, you’ll always want to become better. Sure, some artists or bands get what they want quicker, but who is to say they’ll still be doing it in 10 years? There’s really no rulebook to doing this any more. I’ve always found people have paid the most attention when I’ve been brave by changing something up musically or made a bigger statement in some way. You don’t just have to keep doing it, you have to keep getting better and that only takes time.
Tell us something about your UK tour this month. Any favourite venues? Any new ones for you?
I’m playing 3 headline shows at Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham, Eagle Inn in Manchester and Morocco Bound in London. The reason I’m playing these shows is to play new songs, so I’ve chosen these venues for their intimacy. I want to be able to speak candidly with the audiences about the stories behind some of the new songs and where the second album is taking me - musically and personally. KGC and Morocco Bound are both new to me, and as much as I love returning to previous stomping grounds, getting a new venue under your feet adds a bit of spice, and I like spice.
What’s your favourite venue you ever played or would like to play?
I would love to play Birmingham Symphony Hall some day; I’ve seen some of my heroes play that room. My favourite venue which I have played is either The Lexington in London or Hare and Hounds in Birmingham.
What does 2027 look like for you?
2027 is a little bit unknown and it depends on when my second album will be released. After this September tour, it quietens down for me as I buckle down and finish it, and I’m expecting I’ll be back out playing shows from next Spring and gearing into a very busy late 2027 and 2028 promoting the new album. I’m looking forward to being quiet for a bit, focusing on the music and then gathering myself for the next chapter.
You played Cottingham Folk Festival recently. I grew up in Hull - how did you find playing there?
I did and I loved it! I love playing towns over cities. You get a much better sense of community and people are just really into what comes through, I feel like you get looked after a bit more and most of the time the load-in and parking is so much easier. Ha!
Which album or track do you recommend for any new listeners?
Like A Hurricane or Dolores.
Which other UK-based indie artists inspire you or do you recommend?
I’m a big fan and friend of YVA - I just think she’s the best writer with the best pipes in the world. I also admire Wyldest, Alexandra Leaving, Penfriend, Katie Malco and Kelli Blanchett.
Charlotte Carpenter’s tour kicks off THIS SUNDAY so head over here to grab a ticket! Otherwise you can find her in all the usual places including Instagram and TikTok.