Charlotte Hatherley

Guitars / synths / dreamscapes

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10 Reviews (3 Verified)
Charlotte Hatherley on SoundBetter

Since recording three studio albums with Northern Irish rockers Ash, playing pop/rock mega-riffs, I've released my own spiky, power-pop/electro-pop solo albums, composing and creating ambient sonic dreamscapes with synths and guitars. As a session player I happily flip between filthy, cranked-up guitar solos and evocative, sweeping cinematic moods.

I’m a singer/songwriter/producer/guitarist/keyboardist. Aside from working on my own projects I've spent the last 20 years as a live and studio session guitarist. I’ve toured and recorded with artists including Bryan Ferry, Bat For Lashes, KT Tunstall, Birdy, NZCA Lines and Nakhane. In 2020 I recorded with Imelda May and Natalie Imbruglia for their forthcoming albums, and provided guitars for the upcoming Hollywood film Gunpowder Milkshake.

I love the challenges each session gig brings: as I adapt to other artists' requirements I'm constantly evolving my own sound, updating my live set-up with new pedals and toys, in search of weird/wonderful/alien noises. I'm extremely adaptable, easily fitting into different boxes, just as excited to play prog riffs and filthy solos as I am to provide subtle, ambient drones with ebows. I love to manipulate my guitar sounds, broadening my range so that I can make the rawest of riffs or ethereal, heavily processed noise: I can switch from traditional to experimental, happy to throw options and wild cards your way if needed. I’ve got a sharp ear for hooks and arrangements, a keen sense of melody. As a songwriter I know that above all serving the song is the most important thing - whatever that might be.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Charlotte Hatherley
  • Imelda May
  • Imelda May
  • Imelda May
  • Natalie Imbruglia
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • KT Tunstall
  • Ghostpoet
  • NZCA Lines
  • KT Tunstall
  • KT Tunstall
  • Bat for Lashes
  • Ash
  • KT Tunstall
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Bat for Lashes
  • Katarina Knechtova
  • Katarina Knechtova
  • Katarina Knechtova
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Kim Wilde
  • Kim Wilde
  • Kim Wilde
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Pete Woodhead
  • Daniel Mudford
  • The (International) Noise Conspiracy
  • The (International) Noise Conspiracy
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Retriever
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Ash
  • Imelda May
  • Natalie Imbruglia
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Charlotte Hatherley
  • Ron Wood
  • Noel Gallagher
  • Imelda May
  • Ron Wood
  • Noel Gallagher
  • Imelda May
  • Ron Wood
  • Gina Martin
  • Imelda May
  • Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
  • Imelda May
  • The Separate
  • Imelda May
  • Charlotte Hatherley

10 Reviews

Endorse Charlotte Hatherley
  1. Review by Kimberly S.
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    Charlotte's contribution to my track was awesome. They clearly communicated throughout the process and delivered on everything I'd hoped for and more. Would 100% recommend!

  2. Review by Martin A.
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    Charlotte was a joy to work with! She completely understood the vibe of the track, creating stunning guitar parts with beautiful melodies and brilliant tones. Couldn't be happier with the result.

  3. Review by Paul M.
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    Charlotte is amazing. Great to deal with. Great communicator. Amazing musician (guitars, synths, vocals). All delivered timely and give the song exactly what it needed. Can't recommend enough. I will finish as I started....Charlotte is amazing.

  4. Review by Wesley D Tate
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    by Wesley D Tate

    I like her music and style. I wish people knew more about her. This is real music. Why abusive rap is popular is beyond me. Our society should embrace and support real creative talent like Charlotte Hatherley.

  5. Review by Alex Thomas
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    Amazing musician and also great ideas person, plus the best fun to work with. All round ace.

  6. Review by Ben Christophers
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    by Ben Christophers

    Charlotte’s understanding and vision of everything she works on comes from another place. I love working with her, she is full of surprises and has so much offer.

  7. Review by David Harmon
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    by David Harmon

    Brilliant in every way, shape and form.
    I'd love to jam with her

  8. Review by Tim Bran
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    by Tim Bran

    Charlotte Hatherley is one of my go-to guitarists for all my music productions.
    She provides World-class, multi-style guitar work and textures and is great to work with in every way. You won’t be disappointed.

    Tim Bran

  9. Review by Leo Abrahams
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    Charlotte is an absolutely awesome musician and writer, and a joy to work with.

  10. Review by richard evans
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    by richard evans

    Imagination, sound , feel . She makes things better.

Interview with Charlotte Hatherley

  1. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  2. A: I make sure every musical part I add is there for a reason and I study the lyrics, ensuring whatever I add compliments the entirety of the song. I don't overplay, I bring exactly what energy, mood and feel is needed.

  3. Q: What's your typical work process?

  4. A: I try to be as instinctual as possible. Often I'll use a first take idea I like and develop it further. I'll work on something until I think it's perfect. Once I think I've nailed something good I'll work on different themes and variations.

  5. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  6. A: I have a home studio. I have several Supro guitars and a Gretsch Duo Jet, Supro and Blackstar amps as well as an assortment of guitar pedals I've collected over the years. My OB6 synth is an absolute peach and I have a vintage Juno 60 which sounds amazing. I also have a Korg MS20, and OP1 and a ROLI keyboard.

  7. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  8. A: I love Björk and Fever Ray for their fearlessness, and am inspired by film soundtrack composers like Vangelis, Hildur Guðnadóttir, Clint Mansell, Trent Reznor and Johan Johannsson.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I love collaboration more than anything. There's always something to learn from connecting with creative people.

  11. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  12. A: Don't be afraid to say when something isn't right, I'm happy to work on something until it's perfect.

  13. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  14. A: Record everything and record it well. It's usually the 'mucking about' first takes that have the best ideas.

  15. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  16. A: I have a very good ear for melody and arrangement and write catchy hooks.

  17. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  18. A: Recording rhythm guitars, writing and playing solos and creating atmospheric textures. As a synth player I create cinematic soundscapes and ambient noises, as well as massive sounding basses and beats.

  19. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  20. A: This year my score to a film called 'Imogen' was released. It's a beautiful, moving documentary that was very challenging to compose music for, but I'm so proud of the end result. I had to find the right balance between layers of high pitched, screaming synths, growling guitars and gentle, reflective cello and piano.

  21. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  22. A: I am currently making music library albums and working on my next solo record.

  23. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  24. A: My Gretsch guitar, vintage Boss Chorus pedal, OB6 synth, Strymon Timeline pedal and, of course, a tuner pedal...

  25. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  26. A: I've been touring, recording and working as a session player for 20 years. I joined the band Ash in 1997 when I was 18 and since parting ways with them in 2006 I've released four solo records. I've spent the last 15 years as a touring session guitarist for many artists including Bryan Ferry, Birdy, Bat For Lashes and KT Tunstall and most recently played on Imelda May and Natalie Imbruglia's records, due for release in 2021. I am also a composer, having most recently written the score for the film 'Imogen' which was released in 2020, and provided guitars for next year's Hollywood film, Gunpowder Milkshake.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: I was a touring rock guitarist for many years so I'm very comfortable playing rock/power-pop/alternative indie. I'm also drawn to the darker side of soundtrack music and love to turn my guitar into a synth, layering up cinematic drones and soundscapes.

  29. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  30. A: I would love to work with Björk. She is fearless in her experimental production and collaborates with incredibly interesting artists, for example Arca. I love the way she uses electronics yet still makes them sound organic. No matter how programmed her music is it still has the human touch.

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: The most recent film score I worked on required high energy, distorted, high octane rhythm and lead guitars. My studio session work is mostly for mainstream pop music, writing hooky riffs and solos. For my own music I love to put my guitars and synths through my pedalboard, making drones and textured layers.

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A Sign, Charlotte Hatherley

I was the singer, guitarist, keyboardist and songwriter in this production

Terms Of Service

Two revisions & 3 day turn around.

Gear Highlights
  • Gretsch Duo Jet guitar
  • Supro Westbury guitar
  • Supro Hampton guitar
  • Supro baritone
  • OB6 synth
  • Juno 60
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