“Summer is coming”: Interview with Charlotte Hatherley

Charlotte Hatherley is best known for her role in pop-rock group Ash and although she is only 25 years old, she is already a musical veteran. Hatherley began work as a rock guitarist even before she left her West London high school which saw her working towards her A-Levels during the day and playing gigs around the London club scene with the proto-riot girl group Nightnurse at night.

One night whilst performing at the Blue Moon in Putney she was spotted by Ash who were looking for a fourth member that was a guitarist who could add beef to their heavy schedule of live performances.

Hatherley is now making time to step out into the solo spotlight with her debut single, “Summer”, which was released on Monday.

Why did you decide to make and release a solo album?
Well, I’ve always wanted to record an album of my own songs, some of these songs are 5 years old. I was feeling frustrated for a while, because I’m so busy with Ash I never got the time to make it. When we had a couple of months off I seized the moment and got it done.

How does it make you feel to know that your solo music is likely to be always compared to that of Ash?
I am a full time, fully fledged member of Ash, so there’s not much point trying to distance myself! I think my music is different enough to stand alone, but I don’t mind if it gets compared to Ash at all.

Many times when a member of a high-profile band has made a successful solo album they turn there back on the band and focus solely on their solo work. Could you ever see yourself doing this?
I have no plans to leave Ash, and I’m successfully doing both things at once. I’ve been a guitarist in bands since I was 15, and that really is my first love. I’m spoilt enough to be able to make my own music and be in a great rock band. Ronan Keating I am not!

Does the success of your download-only track “Kim Wilde” help you to feel confident about your debut solo release
I was amazed that “Kim Wilde” got 8,000 downloads in the first week, it was totally unexpected. I got a great confidence kick out of that. I didn’t plan to release singles and make videos, but the buzz has been so good that I’ve ended doing it anyway!

What was the influence behind your new single?
“Summer” is a break up song, based upon a personal experience of mine. I used the idea of being stuck in your bedroom, depressed and down, and emerging recovered into a bright summertime. It’s a pretty bittersweet song that I wrote whilst listening to a lot of XTC.

How good a representation of the rest of your music is this single?
“Summer” is a bittersweet pop song that represents about half the album. There’s a few storming pop juggernauts on there, and the rest is more melancholy.

If you had to compare yourself to someone already in the music business who would it be and why?
Erm, no-one that I can think of! There are not that many female guitarists out there who are doing their own thing. I’m not fit to touch the hem of Kate Bush’s leotard but she’s someone in the music business I aspire to be like.

Who would be least likely to compare yourself to and why?
Ronan Keating.

What is your favourite track from your solo album?
I like “Kim Wilde” a lot, it’s the most recent and ambitious song I’ve written. I like the arrangement and the way it speeds along like a juggernaut, and the fact that it’s about me being a bad girl.

What do you think the album says about you as a solo artist?
People have been surprised by it’s pop qualities, perhaps expecting something rawer and PJ Harvey inspired. But I love artists like XTC, David Bowie and Kate Bush who write pop songs that have really interesting ideas and that can be experimental as well. It’s different enough from Ash to stand on its own, and I want to do another one as soon as I can. I’m realising how ambitious I can be.

How difficult is it to capture a sound that is fresh when there are so many artists already out there making music
I don’t know how you can plan to be fresh and new, it’s just something that comes out in the song writing. I only listen to music that I love and don’t really worry about what other contemporary artists are doing.

Would you consider doing a collaboration with another artist or member of a band? If yes who?
Rob Ellis - PJ Harvey’s long standing drummer who plays drums on my record. He was my top choice for a sticksman. I’d also love to work with Kate Bush and Karen O!

If you had to choose between loosing your looks or your voice, which would it be?
Well, it would have to be voice… the looks are going already!

What do you feel you will contribute to the music industry as a solo artist?
There is a distinct lack of female guitarists right now. The great thing about doing what I do in Ash and as a solo artist is that I can inspire girls to pick up a guitar and form a band. I didn’t have any female musicians to aspire to when I was getting into music.

How do you think the music has changed since you fist started out the industry? What do you prefer and detest about today’s music?
I’ve been in bands since i was 15, 10 years now. Britpop was my first love, the superstar DJ came around, then manufactured pop reared it’s head, and now rock music is well and truly back, personally i think it’s better than it’s been for years. Scenes come and go in cycles. Right now i love the guitar music that’s in the charts, the White Stripes, Graham Coxon, The Libertines, The Hives, and loads more. I don’t detest anything.

Are there any artists that you would like to ban from the music charts?
There’s room for everyone… but perhaps Pop Idols?

Would you take a fame free job if it paid twice as much cash?
No, I’ve never had a job and I doubt I’d be able to hold one down now. I’ve been a spoilt guitarist for too long for a day job!

Who would you like to be stranded on a desert island with?
Jared the Goblin King.

Who or what is the biggest influence on who you are?
David Bowie is the biggest influence on me musically. I listened to his music excessively for several years. My family is the biggest influence on me as a person.

What was the last gig you went to and cringed at?
When the Rutles played at the Albert Hall and almost everyone left. Painful.

If you could grant one wish what would it be and who would you grant it to?
I would wish for a million wishes and spread some love.

What celebrity would you love to be your number one fan?
Kate Bush.

Would you rather have the biggest selling single of the year or win a Brit award?
Biggest selling single of course!

By Natalie Edwards