Charlotte Hatherley

Charlotte Hatherley
Background information
Born	20 June 1979 (1979-06-20) (age 30)
Origin	London, England
Genres	Alternative rock, indie rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, Musician, Guitarist
Instruments	Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Piano
Years active	1997–2006 (As a member of Ash) 2004–present (Solo)
Labels	Double Dragon Music 2004–2006 Little Sister Records 2007–present Minty Fresh 2009–present (US)
Associated acts	Ash Nightnurse Client Bat for Lashes
Website	Official Site Official MySpace

Charlotte Franklin Hatherley (born in London; 20 June 1979) is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. She initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash. Since departing Ash in 2006, she has found success as a solo artist, is also a touring as a guitarist with Bat for Lashes and as a bassist for Client.

Biography

Ash (1997–2006)

Hatherley was brought up in West London and attended Chiswick Community School. Her music career began aged sixteen, when she played in obscure British punk band Nightnurse.^[1] Around this time, Ash were looking for a fourth member, a guitarist, to add to their live sound. Ash frontman Tim Wheeler was present at a Nightnurse gig and thought Hatherley fit the bill. After two weeks of rehearsals, Hatherley's Ash debut was at the 1997 V Festival in front of 50,000 people. Her recording debut with the band happened later that year on the single "A Life Less Ordinary" and then on the album Nu-Clear Sounds in 1998.

Hatherley was credited with writing for a handful of Ash's songs, the most notable being "Grey Will Fade", a B-side on the single "There's a Star". The song was a cult favourite among fans, and eventually became the title track for Hatherley's debut solo album.

It was during the period of recording the album Meltdown with Ash that Hatherley began to record her own album Grey Will Fade simultaneously, fully encouraged by the rest of the band. From the album she released the singles "Bastardo", "Kim Wilde" and "Summer", which all, as well as the album itself, received high praise from critics.

Solo (2006–present)

On 20 January 2006 it was announced that Hatherley would be leaving Ash in an amicable breakup.^[2] This decision was initially thought to be based on Hatherley's intention to pursue a solo career further, although it later emerged she was asked to leave by the remaining three members.^[3]

Charlotte Hatherley, supporting Blondie, Thetford Forrest, UK

Hatherley's second album, The Deep Blue was released on 5 March 2007. It was preceded by two singles; "Behave", in December, and "I Want You To Know", in February, along with an accompanying UK and Ireland tour. Two more singles were released to promote the album, "Siberia" and "Again". In 2007, Hatherley also opened for Blondie on their UK tour and played guitar for Bryan Ferry. In November 2007 she joined Client to fill the vacant role of bassist on their European and Scandinavian tours. With Client she is known as Client C.

In October 2008, Cinnabar City was announced as the title of Hatherley's third solo album. The album title was later changed to New Worlds. The track Full Circle debuted on BBC 6 Music's: The Nemone Show on 23 December. The album will be released on 19 October 2009.

In March 2009, Hatherley announced on her official website that she would be joining Bat for Lashes as a live member of the band throughout 2009. ^[4]

Daily Music Guide critic Jamie Smith described the second single from the album, Alexander, as "a rather super single that deserves to win her many more new fans." ^[5] and the same writer described New Worlds, for The Music Magazine, as "a record that has a very definite sheen of quality all over it. Gone all the rough edges of her debut Grey Will Fade, and the sound is a huge leap forward from the lo-fi and somewhat dreary and unformed follow-up The Deep Blue. New Worlds is the album of a woman sure of herself and ready to move forward in her career." ^[6]

Views on file sharing

In an interview with independent webzine The Music Magazine in October 2009 Charlotte said: “It’s quite bleak in so many ways. Amazing music will suffer. Only rich kids will be able to afford to make music, as a hobby. There’s so many BRIT school middle class artists already.

“There’s no way bands can survive. But cutting off internet connections isn’t the answer. Attitudes need to change. Kids don’t realise they’re stealing from artists. The frustrating thing is the record companies should have dealt with a long time ago so there would be an easier transition.

“Labels don’t know what the fuck they’re dealing with. Fuck the labels – it’s the artists that need to make money. I’m all for fucking record labels. I don’t expect to make any money from record sales. The only way is to tour."^[7]

Personal life

Hatherley's ex-boyfriend is film director Edgar Wright, who is best known for Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. He directed videos for two of her singles, "Summer" and "Bastardo". Her mother, Patricia Franklin, is an actress who appeared in several Carry On films of the 1960s and 70s. She is thanked in the credits for both Shaun of the Dead ^[8] and Hot Fuzz ^[9]. She is also credited on the UK DVD of Shaun of the Dead for taking photographs of the crew.

Solo discography

Albums

Singles

Notes and references

External links

• Charlotte Hatherley's home page
• Charlotte's Official Myspace
• Charlotte Hatherley interview at The Music Magazine
• Charlotte Hatherley at Allmusic