In this interview spotlight, I chat with alt-pop singer/songwriter Charlee Remitz about her latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style pop do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m from Bozeman, Montana. Only in hindsight do I realize how much of a privilege it was to daydream beneath the biggest blue sky. I like to think, as a creative, I’m doing something completely unique. The goal is to turn a sunset into a genre. I’m not sure if I can plausibly say I’m accomplishing that, but I think there are elements of the sunset in most everything I touch. I’m always looking up for inspiration–at all hours of the day, yes, but mostly when the sun is dipping into the void and the world contemplates one last fire before sleep. There’s a deep fascination on the horizon. I’m fortunate to be the type of person who longs to hold everything intangible in her hands. Especially the unknown.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
The fates. The world is a garden. There was a time when I sprinted down my path, for fear of missing out, and that was a time when I took the most wrong turns. Now I tread cautiously and admire it as I go. There is so much beauty in everything. Even when the garden has a rough season and it’s more brown than it is green. It always grows brilliantly afterwards, and that’s what motivates. That impossible strength. Those vibrant shades of green.
How is “To Tell You The Truth” different than previous releases? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
We set out with a specific sound in mind. Big, bulbous synths. A sparkle dating back to the 80s. Perhaps a hint of being underwater. It’s not a sound I’ve taken on before. The biggest change came from the subject matter. I always write with curious precision. Words carry energies–I pay very close attention to how I string them together. Constellations are not random. For the first time, I was not writing of love lost, I was writing of love found, and in a nonromantic circumstance, which somehow made it impossibly romantic. Again, constellations are not random. The fates orchestrate anything. I’m a loyal, often stubborn puppet.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
I have the definite propensity to base my worth on numerical statistics. I think it’s a weakness, but one I have a firmer handle on as the days pass. I’ve found a lot of love in being in real life as opposed to growing online. Technology is a weed. I appreciate its web however. The serendipitous connections, the quiet discoveries–they make exploring and stumbling upon something nefarious worth it.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
