Charlotte plays at Roadmender

The singer songwriter from Kettering is gearing up for the release of her new EP How Are We Ever To Know which is due out in June and this next Friday will headline a stage at Leicester’s Handmade Festival.

“This is the first time people are going to be able to hear what I’ve been working on for the past year,” she explains.

“There’s been such a drastic change, not musically but personally and it’s really reflected on the material I’m writing. I’m ready for the next chapter. I’m beginning to start feeling comfortable with my sound and songs I’m writing.

“It’s nerve-wracking to choose a home-county show for it, because you can feel very vulnerable and exposed but at the same time, it’s a good way to star.”

Carpenter’s sixth EP follows The Fault Line EP which was released in November.

She explains it was on her previous record that she started to feel comfortable with the music she was making and her latest EP is the latest stage of this progression.

“The songwriting and guitar playing is better but things have got deeper, more personal and I’ve got braver in what I’m saying.

“There’s some heartache here. In some ways it’s a break-up record.

“It’s a bit of a cheesy cliché but that’s as honest as it is.

“A lot of the songs follow from when a relationship was beginning to break down up until when it was over.

“It’s all the different colours and shades of a break up and what your mind goes through. Sonically, it’s quite varied, but you can tell it’s me there’s and a definite theme happening.”

With five EPs already under her belt and the sixth soon to be released, Carpenter admits an album is on her mind, but she maintains it needs to arrive at the right time.

“Sometimes I feel people rush albums,” she explains.

“Everyone has their own goals but I’m happy to keep perfecting the sound.”

Influenced by Americana, blues and folk, Carpenter cites the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Alabama Shakes, Joni Mitchell and “southern, warm fuzzy tones” as influences.

“These are very personal and emotional songs,” she explains. “I like to take people on a journey with me, make things quiet and draw people in but also when I’m angsty, make things louder.”

Carpenter will be joined at the Roadmender on Monday, April 25, by Lee Russell on guitars and Matthew Daly on drums. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 in advance via http://bit.ly/1MDMcXF

She plays Handmade on Friday, April 29. Visit charlottecarpentermusic.com