Charlotte Franklin Hatherley (born 20 June 1979) is an English singer, songwriter, guitarist and soundtrack composer. She initially came to prominence as guitarist and backing vocalist for alternative rock band Ash.
Charlotte Hatherley | |
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 Hatherley performing in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 20 June 1979 |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels |
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Since leaving Ash in 2006, she has worked as a solo artist and acted as a touring musician for Bryan Ferry, KT Tunstall, Bat for Lashes, Cold Specks, Rosie Lowe and Birdy. Hatherley has also been a touring member of NZCA Lines and was the Musical Director for South African artist Nakhane.
Biography
editAsh (1997–2006)
editBorn in London, Hatherley's music career began at the age of 15, when she joined British punk band Nightnurse.[1] Two years later, with Ash looking for a guitarist to add to their live sound, Hatherley was hired after frontman Tim Wheeler saw her play at a Nightnurse gig.[2] Hatherley's Ash debut was at Belfast's Limelight on 10 August 1997,[3] and the following week the new lineup played the 1997 V Festival in front of 50,000 people. Her recording career with the band began later that year on the single "A Life Less Ordinary" and continued on the album Nu-Clear Sounds in 1998.
Hatherley was a full-time member of Ash for eight years, playing on three studio albums, and wrote a handful of the band's songs, most notably "Grey Will Fade", on the B-side of the single "There's a Star". The song was a cult favourite among fans, and eventually became the title track of Hatherley's debut solo album. On 20 January 2006 it was announced that Hatherley would be leaving Ash in an amicable breakup.[4]
She reunited with the band in 2022 for a UK tour to support the 21st anniversary of Free All Angels.[5]
Solo (2004–present)
editWhile recording the album Meltdown with Ash, Hatherley began to record her own album Grey Will Fade. From the album she released the singles "Bastardo", "Summer" (both videos directed by Edgar Wright), and "Kim Wilde", which all received high praise from critics.[6][7][8]
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" along with an accompanying UK and Ireland tour. For Nokia Online, David Bowie reviewed "Behave", writing, 'Behave is proof that Charlotte made the right decision to go solo. The guitar part is an instant hook, that has a kind of Eno-esque quirkiness about it... Impossibly catchy, you'll find this popping into your head when you least expect it'.[9] Two more singles were released to promote the album, "Siberia" and "Again". In 2007, Hatherley opened for Blondie on their UK tour.[10]
Hatherley's third solo album New Worlds was released in October 2009. Pitchfork gave the album 8.0, writing, 'Hatherley is a meticulous artist, and her songs are carefully constructed things designed for a powerful dynamic impact without sacrificing elegance and grace. She's the best sort of craft-driven writer, consistently avoiding ostentatious displays of technical ingenuity while subtly exerting her skill in ways that call attention to, rather than distract from, her melodies.'[11] The album was also The Sunday Times' record of the week: 'These are sensational songs, from an artist who remains bafflingly overlooked, but continues to dive into that tiny pool and come up bearing pearls.'[12]
In February 2012, Hatherley began performing under the name of Sylver Tongue. She released the Something Big EP in November 2012. Sylver Tongue supported Bat for Lashes on their October/November 2012 UK tour.[13]
In 2017, Hatherley pre-released a solo album via PledgeMusic called True Love. Inspired by her love of science fiction, the album tells the story of Traveller, a heartbroken alien searching for love. It received a 4/5 star review in The Evening Standard.[14] Their critic wrote, 'Vangelis's Blade Runner soundtrack is the obvious inspiration behind these ethereal soundscapes, although this is much more than derivative, fangirl fare. "A Sign" and "Hook You Up" are glorious pop songs in their own right, while Hatherley's yearning vocals ensure that even the most robotic moments retain a compelling human core.' The album was officially released in June 2018. Electronic Sound magazine wrote: 'This is an album easy to fall in love with, from the yearning 'A Sign' to the gorgeous 'You Said Goodbye' its electronic teardrops and emotional nakedness could soundtrack any broken love affair'.[15]
Three singles were released from the record, "A Sign", "Night Vision" and "Hook You Up". The five-track Night Vision EP contained cover versions of songs from cinema, including the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love", the video for which was made in collaboration with the European Space Agency.[16]
Film and theatre scoring (2013–present)
editHatherley wrote the score for director Gavin Rothery's sci-fi short film The Last Man.[17] The film premiered at the FrightFest festival in London in 2014.[18] Hatherley performed the score at the British Film Institute as part of their major three-month focus on sci-fi on screen, 'Days of Fear and Wonder'.[19] In 2014 Hatherley also composed the music for Stella Feehily's play This May Hurt A Bit, directed by Max Stafford-Clark.[20]
In 2019, Hatherley composed the score for the film Imogen[21] which was due to premiere at Oscar qualifying film festival AMDOCS in Palm Springs, on 27 March 2020, as part of the Official Selection (postponed due to Covid-19).[22] Produced by Margo Mars and Alma Har'el, the film is directed by Lola Young and Matt Shea and supported by the BFI Doc Society and LUSH film fund. The soundtrack was released in May 2020.[23]
In 2021 she played guitars on composer Frank Ilfman's score for the film Gunpowder Milkshake.[24]
In 2022 she contributed to the score for director Peter Strickland's film Flux Gourmet.[25]
Collaborative work
editIn 2007, Hatherley was a touring guitarist for Bryan Ferry,[26] and in 2009 joined Bat for Lashes as a live member of the band.[27]
In 2010, Hatherley joined KT Tunstall's band, playing lead guitar. The 2010/11 tour coincided with the release of Tunstall's Tiger Suit album. In an interview with the Galway Advertiser, Tunstall said that Hatherley had helped her 'to find the voice that she had always been searching for.' "Charlotte has just blown us all away. She's an exceptionally talented musician and very visceral. It's just pure emotion when she plays."[28] Hatherley has subsequently recorded guitar on Tunstall's albums Kin and Wax and played guitar on her 2018 tour.[29]
During 2015/2016, Hatherley was a performing member of Cold Specks[30] and NZCA Lines,[31] and throughout 2016/2017 toured as guitarist/keyboardist for Birdy[32] coinciding with the release of Birdy's Beautiful Lies album. In 2019 Hatherley played for Frank Turner,[33] and played on Fred Deakin's album The Lasters.[34]
From 2017 to 2020, Hatherley was musical director, guitarist, and keyboardist for South African artist Nakhane.[35]
In 2021 Hatherley played on Imelda May's album 11 Past the Hour[36] and Natalie Imbruglia's Firebird.[37] During 2023 she played as part of Birdy's live band for the Portraits tour.[38]
Across Summer 2024 she played in Bat For Lashes' live band for the Dream Of Delphi tour in the UK and Europe.[39]
Personal life
editHatherley's mother, Patricia Franklin, is an actress. Her father, Frank Hatherley, is an Australian playwright and critic.[40][41]
Since late 2016, Hatherley has been in a relationship with artist and Empire features editor Alex Godfrey. They have a daughter, Rosa Mars, born late June 2020.[42]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Album | UK [43][44] |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Grey Will Fade
|
51 |
| 2007 | The Deep Blue
|
109 |
| 2009 | New Worlds
|
– |
| 2017 | True Love
|
– |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Album | UK [43][44] |
B-sides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Kim Wilde" (Download-only) | Grey Will Fade | — | |
| 2004 | "Summer" | 31 | Commodore; SMUT | |
| 2005 | "Bastardo" | 31 | 3 Minutes; I Am a Kamera | |
| 2006 | "Behave" | The Deep Blue | 168 | Mr. Ed; Cousteau (Extended Version); Behave (Luke Smith Clor Remix) |
| 2007 | "I Want You to Know" | 108 | Sister Universe; Suspiria | |
| 2007 | "Siberia" | — | Last Night; This Is Pop; I Don't Need Anyone | |
| 2007 | "Again" | — | Again (acoustic) | |
| 2007 | "CH V FD (Deep Blue remixes)" | Non-album single | — | Dawn Treader (Fredmix); It Isn't Over (Fredmix) |
| 2009 | "White" | New Worlds | — | White (Squarepusher Remix); White (Adem Remix); White (Heartbeat Remix) |
| 2009 | "Alexander" | — | Alexander (Radio Edit); Alexander (Blacknred Remix) |
Music videos
edit| Title | Year | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Summer" | 2004 | Edgar Wright | [45] |
| "Bastardo" | 2005 | [46] | |
| "Behave" | 2006 | Oscar Wright | [47] |
| "I Want You to Know" | 2007 | Joe Cornish | [48] |
| "Siberia" | Shelly Love | [49] | |
| "White" | 2009 | Elliot Manches | [50] |
| "Alexander" | [51] | ||
| "A Sign" | 2017 | Gavin Rothery | [52] |
| "Night Vision" | John Minton | lyrics video[53] | |
| "How Deep Is Your Love" | 2018 | Mike Keelin | in collaboration with ESA[54] |
| "Hook You Up" | Rik Moran | [55] |
References
edit- ^ Bresnark, Robin (6 February 1999). "Psycho Babble: Charlotte Hatherley". Melody Maker.
- ^ Fortnam, Ian (12 June 2015). "Ash: The Kids Are Alright!". Loudersound. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Ash's new guitarist". uk.music.alternative. 11 August 1997.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley quits Ash". NME.com. 20 January 2006. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
- ^ Richards, Will (23 May 2022). "Ash announce reissue series and 'Free All Angels' gigs with Charlotte Hatherley". NME. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Rauf, Raziq (28 February 2005). "Single Review: Charlotte Hatherley - Bastardo". Drowned In Sound.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley - Summer". Contactmusic.com. 10 August 2004.
- ^ Annot, Michaela (2 June 2004). "Single Review: Charlotte Hatherley - Kim Wilde". Drowned In Sound.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Bowie, David (April 2007). "Insight pt.3". Nokia Music Recommender. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019 – via bowiefun.com.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley Prepares New Single". Gigwise.com. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (1 December 2009). "Charlotte Hatherley: New Worlds Album Review". Pitchfork.com.
- ^ Cairns, Dan (18 October 2009). "Charlotte Hatherley: New Worlds". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Sylver Tongue: Debut EP 'Something Big' + Tour With Bat For Lashes". Famemagazine.co.uk. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Pearson, Rick (26 May 2017). "Charlotte Hatherley - True Love review: 'It's a delight'". London Evening Standard.
- ^ @CHatherley79 (16 June 2018). "Electric Sound magazine has given my new record True Love an extraordinarily lovely review. 'This is an album easy…" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 May 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Charlotte Hatherley - How Deep Is Your Love on YouTube
- ^ "The Last Man — Gavin Rothery". Gavinrothery.com. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ "2014 Short Film Showcase 1: Film4 FrightFest 2014". Frightfest.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Sci Fi Days of Fears and Wonder" (PDF). British Film Institute. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "This May Hurt A Bit". Playography Ireland.
- ^ "Imogen". Doc Society. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020.
- ^ "2020 FILMS I-M". AmDocs Film Festival. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ "Imo𝐠en on Instagram: "Our very special original soundtrack is now live on all major platforms. With 9 tracks featured by Imogen Goldie-Wells and an original…"". Instagram. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ @frankilfman (9 July 2021). "Here is an interview I did with @jazzt for @Variety for an exclusive look at @gunpowdershake Goonfight at Gutterba…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @CHatherley79 (14 February 2022). "How wonderful to be involved in the sonic madness of Peter Strickland's new film Flux Gourmet..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Maybank, Sarah (21 October 2007). "Charlotte Hatherley - Interview". Pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley joins Bat For Lashes". NME. 18 March 2009.
- ^ McGuire, Kevin (13 January 2011). "KT Tunstall - Earning her stripes". Galway Advertiser.
- ^ Dingwall, John (30 September 2018). "KT Tunstall plans to inspire new girl rockers after launching all-female band". Daily Record.
- ^ @CHatherley79 (1 August 2015). "I've been playing guitar with Cold Specks in Europe. Last gig in Denmark tonight" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 May 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "NZCA Lines ready 2nd LP, share "Persephone Dreams"; new lineup features Hot Chip's Sarah Jones & Charlotte Hatherley". BrooklynVegan. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Everything Flows: How Movies Inspire Music". Somerset House. 24 June 2017.
- ^ "Frank Turner - Sister Rosetta (Live At Earth Hackney, London)". YouTube. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ "Fred Deakin on Instagram: "Nice review of my new concept album The Lasters in this month's Electronic Sound - "like vintage Doctor Who at its best.""". Instagram. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Ottewill, Jim (28 November 2018). "How to be a music director - Charlotte Hatherley". The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Kendall, Jo (20 July 2021). "Imelda May". Classic Rock. Retrieved 24 November 2023 – via PressReader.
- ^ "Credits for Charlotte Hatherley". Tidal.
- ^ Hatherley, Charlotte (25 August 2023). "Playing bass/guitars with Birdy for her album launch at EartH Theatre". Instagram. Retrieved 24 November 2023.[user-generated source]
- ^ Hatherley, Charlotte (20 April 2024). "Delighted to say I'll be playing live with Natasha Khan AKA Bat For Lashes this summer". Instagram. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ "Home". Frank Hatherley. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- ^ "Links". Frank Hatherley. Archived from the original on 28 November 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley's Instagram".
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 246. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b "UK Chartlog: H". zobbel.de. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
- ^ "Video Archives: Summer ~ Charlotte Hatherley – dir. Edgar Wright (2004)". Edgarwrighthere.com. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "Video Archives: Bastardo ~ Charlotte Hatherley – dir. Edgar Wright (2005)". Edgarwrighthere.com. 27 August 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ Melvin, Charlie (1 March 2007). "Charlotte makes the break". Birmingham Post.
- ^ Vallance, Jo (1 January 2007). "Charlotte Hatherley Interview". RoomThirteen.com.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley – Siberia". Shelly Love : Director & Independent Artist. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "white". Elliot Manches.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "alexander". Elliot Manches.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley 'A Sign' by Gavin Rothery". Promonews.tv. 2 June 2017.
- ^ "True Love: Exclusive : Night Vision lyric video". PledgeMusic.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley - How Deep Is Your Love". Cs-tv.org. 6 February 2018.
- ^ "Charlotte Hatherley – Hook You Up Video". Studio Moran.com. 2 June 2017.