Charlotte OC Gets Vulnerable About Her Debut Album ‘Careless People’

Char Little

The conversation about Charlotte OC is getting louder and louder as the beauty prepares to release her very first album, “Careless People.” Coming off of the hit singles fans are already loving – “Blackout,” “Shell,” and “Darkest Hour” – Charlotte is ready for listeners to take a journey with her as she gets extremely vulnerable on “Careless People.” Entertainment Voice spoke with Charlotte about how her personal life influenced the album.

“Careless People” is your debut album, though you’ve been releasing music since 2013. How are you feeling, now that your first album is finally here?

It’s a feeling that I’ve never had before. The only way I can describe it is: I’ve never handed in my homework when I was in school, and I feel like now I’ve handed in my homework. I wish I would’ve done it when I was younger because it’s incredible. I’m excited for people to hear it.

You have been described as having an “essence” comparable to Stevie Nicks, with the vocal prowess of Alicia Keys. You have also mentioned your musical icons are Billie Holiday, Leonard Cohen, and Lou Reed, to name a few. How do these influences contribute to the overall sound of your music?

I just feel like you are the music that you grew up with. When you’re young, you’re a sponge. I was always really drawn to Leonard Cohen’s ability to really capture your ears, with not really having to be a Mariah Carey, if that makes sense. It’s powerful. He could just be talking and it’s captivating. It really attracted me. There are different elements to it. The not-so-typical popular voices kind of really excited me.

You have said “Careless People” tells the story of how “people’s recklessness and careless behavior can hurt and affect others.” How are your personal experiences reflected on the album?

Some of the moments are about me being careless with someone’s emotions. It happens to all of us. We all do it. We need to make sure that we’re going to be the happiest we can be; and if that means upsetting someone else then you’ve kinda gotta do it. I needed to talk about that because you can’t help but feel guilt when it happens. I needed to write songs about how it felt when it happened to me. I needed to get it off my chest.

This is an intimate body of work for you. What message do you want listeners to take with them when listening to “Careless People?”

 That it’s okay to feel stuff.  I think my main thing is that I really want whatever I do to reach a young woman who is feeling something. Even when it comes to mental health, I know so many people who bottle things up because they feel like they’re on their own. I want to have an album that people can come back to. No matter how many years they’ve listened to it. It’s not so much a message; I want them to find a slight friend in a record that they can rely on.

Which song resonates the deepest with you right now?

I think it’s always “Where It Stays.” I remember when I wrote it and I was madly in love and really confused about how I felt about this person because I’ve just never been in love before. I had been spending a lot of time away. The song is written about whenever I’m in Los Angeles, because I’ve had phone conversations with this person, (and) certain areas remind me of them every time I see them. 

You recorded “Careless People” at Hollywood’s infamous Sunset Sound alongside producer Tim Anderson, who has worked with popular female artists such as Solange and Halsey. What was that creative process like?

Tim’s a real rare case. He’s like an “all-rounder” and that just doesn’t happen a lot. He’ll only bring the coolest ideas. He also just makes the creative process so much fun and really enjoyable. He’s one of those people that kind gives the room a little more Baraka. That’s him, the human Baraka. So yeah it’s really nice to work with him. I just feel like I really took a lot from him musically and he was on the same page as me. He really wanted to make sure it was going to be something that I was going to proud of.

Some artists have a good luck charm they carry with them, or a ritual when recording or performing. Is there something you absolutely have to have with you, or do, when you are in the studio or before you go on stage?

Before I go on stage I don’t really like talking to people because it’s too many people really. Everyone else can talk; they just can’t talk to me. *Laughs* I’m still figuring it out. The studio is a scary place to me, so I’m kind of finding where my home is there.

You have been recognized for your unique fashion style. How would you describe it?

It’s a little magical, with kind of a slight Old Hollywood, classic style to it – very dark and theatrical.

So far, you have announced a string of European concert dates. Will you announce U.S. dates in support of “Careless People?”

I hope so. Nothing has been announced yet, but yeah I think that will happen.

Charlotte OC’s “Careless People” releases on Apple Music March 31.