INTERVIEW: Charlotte Sands releases debut album 'can we start over?': "I finally got to a place where I realised I didn't need permission to be myself and to make things that were important to me."

Image: Dillon Jordan
Published 24 January 2024

Although Charlotte Sands has been releasing music for six years, as 2024 kicks off it is, she says, time to reintroduce herself.

“I’ve changed so much over the last few years personally and in my career and I love the concept of starting over as who I am now with the information and knowledge I've gained,” she says. “It’s not about forgetting the past or regretting our choices but more so letting go of the previous version of ourselves and meeting each other where we are at this moment in the phases that we’re currently in.”

She does that reintroduction with style with the release today of her debut album, appropriately titled can we start over? “This album for me represents exactly that, standing firmly where I am as the person I am today,” Sands says.

Despite having no intention of recording a full-length project, Sands flew to Los Angeles last May for recording sessions and ended up creating some of her favourite songs she had ever made. “I knew they would someday be released into the world but I was certain they had to be released together,” she says.

can we start over? contains 10 tracks, including the previously released singles ‘use me’, ‘pity’, ‘get over it’ and ‘blindspot’. It has a soundscape that showcases Sands’ versatility as a performer - rock fuses with electronic pop, indie guitar pop sits alongside angsty punk. Latest single ‘spite’ is a perfect example of this, an infectious electronic beat dominates the verses, before the chorus brings in heavier guitars. Sands sings of getting revenge on a former lover in perhaps the best way- success. ‘Fuck it I'll get famous out of spite / I'll make it overnight / Be starring in the movies / Just to make you cry…Good luck getting me out of your life’. ‘teeth’ has a similarly gentle pop verse before amping up the rock sound in the chorus, with lyrics that relatably describe the sensations when you fall completely and dangerously for someone in a way you’re not sure if you can control. “I want you so bad that I'm scared I might tear you to piеces,” she sings.

‘on the outside’, a brash rock track that talks of the pain of feeling isolated from everyone around you, sees Sands collaborate with LA band Point North, while ‘die in this room’ mixes indie vibes with rock and delves into the nicer side of isolation, that of knowing you don’t need anything, or anyone, else than that person you love. “When the world is a disaster / You're all that really matters, it's true…I just wanna stay here with you
Baby I could die in this room.”

Fourth single from the album ‘blindspot’ is a highlight, and sonically something of an outlier on the album with its gentle, 1990s indie-guitar vibe. It’s heartbreaking lyrics describe the pain of falling for a friend, only to realise they don’t feel the same way about you: ‘Why do I stay by your side when you never choose me?’

The album ends with title track ‘can we start over?’ It is a dramatic, cinematic track that is almost experimental in its approach. Dreamy, detached electronica bleeds into heavy drums and electric guitars with the song abruptly switching between the two until they merge into a full blooded closer before Sands’ reverbed vocals quietly drift away.

With can we start over? Sands has created a magnificent debut album. Emotive and relatable lyrics, powerful melodies and music that challenges and enthrals you, it is undoubtedly a highlight in her career - and an incredible way to reintroduce herself to the music world. We recently caught up with Sands to chat all about the creation of the album.

Hey Charlotte! It is a privilege and a joy to chat to you today, how is everything in your world right now?
Everything is good! Very very busy but all good things.

Your debut album can we start over? is out today.  This has been a long time coming, how does it feel to finally have it out in the world?
I couldn’t be more excited and more proud of this project. I love these songs so much and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to hear them. We’ve put so much time and effort into this release so it feels very rewarding to get to finally celebrate so much hard work.

You have revealed that the title of the album came about through the idea that you have changed so much over the past few years and this album is almost a way of letting go of the past and reintroducing yourself. Do you feel this album marks almost a creative rebirth, and opens a new chapter for you, both personally and musically?
I think I finally got to a place in my life where I realised I didn't need permission to be myself and to make things that were important to me. For so many years I’ve felt like I needed to earn my place and I don’t feel that way anymore. I’m older, I’ve changed so much, I expect different things, I allow and reject different things, and I couldn't be happier with this version of myself. I think it’s really important to allow yourself to evolve and a lot of this album is a reflection of that.

You have a real talent for mixing multiple genres in your songs, while still retaining a coherent sound. There is electronic, punk, rock, hints of R&B and more. Did you have an idea of how you wanted can we start over? to sound and ‘feel’ when you started creating it?
When we first started making the album I wasn’t really sure what I wanted it to sound like. There are so many bands and artists that I listen to and that have influenced my life and my music so much and I think this project turned into a melting pot of all of it. I wanted it to feel like me and feel like something I would want to listen to and share with people but I also really wanted to experiment with different sounds and structures throughout the songs. I gave myself the freedom to try different things and was lucky enough to work with so many amazing collaborators that amplified my voice and my vision throughout every session and song.

On that note, what was the creative process like for the album? How long did the whole process take, where did you record and who did you work with?
A lot of the songs were made with different people and at different times which is something I love about the project. Most of it was written in LA in March and May in between touring. I would fly to LA whenever I was back home for more than a few weeks at a time and find friends that were free that wanted to work with me. I can't believe it’s been about 10 months since we wrote the first song for this album and I can’t believe they're all about to be out in the world.

Half of the record was made with Jutes, Alex Nice, and Keith “Ten4” Sorrels and the other half was made with multiple different producers and writers including Danen Reed, Michael Whitworth, Kyle Reith, Nick Furlong, Matthew Marino, Kodeblooded, Lil Aaron, Dan Geraghty, and Mike Pepe.

In December you released the single ‘blindspot’, which is featured on the album. This is a truly beautiful song with a sound reminiscent of 1990s indiepop. The lyrical concept of falling for a friend that doesn’t reciprocate those feeling strikes a chord with so many listeners and they can make the song their own. Talk to me a little about this track, it is just gorgeous.
Thank you so much. I'm so glad you like it! This song was very much inspired by songs from the 90’s / early 2000’s by artists like Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morissette. I really wanted to make something that captured the kind of songs I grew up listening to and this song feels exactly like that to me. I had been trying to write a song like that for years and it never felt fully right until we made this one. We all immediately knew that we had something really special.

I love the story of your start in music, you stole your mum’s car and drove to Nashville, eventually deciding against studying at Berklee. Was music always the thing that drove you, to the extent that no other career was an option for you?
Since I can remember, music has always been the only thing that I’ve wanted to do. I set my mind on it at such a young age and convinced myself that it was my only option and I’ve been running at full speed in that direction ever since.

After the release of can we start over? you are embarking on a world tour with shows in Australia, Europe and the UK, including a set at the Download festival.  How are you feeling about that, and what can fans expect from your shows?
I am so excited to tour and so excited to be able to visit so many incredible places. The show is going to be so much fun and so energetic and I really hope everyone loves it as much as I do. My shows will always be a safe space for everyone to come and feel celebrated and surrounded by kind supportive people.

For so many years the music industry has never been a particularly welcoming or safe space for female artists, mainly because it has been run by older, straight, white men for decades. What are your thoughts on gender (in)equality and sexism in music?
We all know that female artists face barriers and biases that can limit their opportunities and recognition. We get fewer opportunities, we get over sexualised, and rarely get the credit we deserve for our work. However, I’m constantly encouraged by the growing movement of women speaking out about sexual harassment and the sexism they face in the industry and all the work being done to make the industry a safer place. We have to keep pushing for diversity, representation, and equal opportunities so that the music industry becomes a more inclusive and empowering space for everyone.

can we start over? is out now and you have live shows coming up, what else is on the cards for you for 2024?
My 2024 is all about focusing on my health physically and mentally. My goal is to feel happy and fulfilled in my personal and professional life and allow myself to enjoy this very hectic ride that I'm on. I’m excited to begin working on the next chapter of music whatever that may be!

can we start over? is out now. You can buy and stream here.
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