Charlotte Sessions is a singer-songwriter, musical theater writer, composer, arranger and producer from Roselle Park, New Jersey. Her music infuses a soulful blend of theatrical and thought-provoking lyrics and sophisticated harmonies that spread across various musical genres, such as jazz, rock, pop and folk.Charlotte's biggest influences are Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Sara Bareilles, Jamiroquai, Norah Jones, and Steely Dan. She started improvising on the piano when she was three and sang and played the flute when she was eight. She started writing songs when she was fifteen and performed the first song she ever wrote at her talent show during her senior year of high school.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Charlotte Sessions. What first got you into music?
Hi! I grew up in a musical family where my mom plays the drums, my dad plays the trombone, and my brother plays guitar and drums, so it was almost inevitable that music would seep into my blood as well. I started improvising on the piano when I was three without really knowing how to play the instrument until I was around 8.
Growing up, I remember listening to artists like Chaka Khan, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Sting and the Police, and Alicia Keys in my parents’ car, and I would think to myself how I wanted to be an artist just like them. So, I would try to emulate them by singing cover songs while accompanying myself on the piano in my public school talent shows, which eventually led me to find my inner artistry by writing my first song when I was 17.
Since then, I have written many songs that speak most about my personal experiences and jazz/soul/pop musical influences. I have even furthered my skill set as a singer-songwriter, arranger and producer at the Berklee College of Music (I graduated during the summer of 2022). I released one song so far and I can’t wait for the world to hear more of what I have to say in my music!
What do you think your role is in this world?
I’d like to say that I consider myself a humanist first. Yes, I write songs and know a lot of music theory, but there’s always a human aspect to everything I write. Thus, what I offer to the world is not only great melodies and harmonies but also a sense of belonging and relatability with the way I sing and feel my lyrics.
Your latest track is 'Should I Be the Man? (Radio Edit)'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I initially wrote and produced the song in my dorm room for a production class at Berklee two years ago. The production was finalized and completed just a few months ago. I thought about a time when I was friends with someone who I thought would lead to something more but he never asked me out. So, I would always question myself if I should be the man and ask him out myself or if I should just wait it out longer.
The “doo-wop” groove kind of came naturally to me as I was writing this song, because I was thinking about how in the 50s, women were considered needy or uncouth if they were the ones to ask men out. Many of my friends and professors have compared this song to Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song,” which also has similar doo-wop and modern pop-rock/theatrical influences. There’s a bit of 70s jazz-pop influence in there as well since I grew up listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and Michael Jackson.
What’s your scariest experience?
Oh boy that’s an interesting question! I remember two years ago walking to the Berklee cafe from my dorm, which was about a 10 minute walk, because I was hungry for brunch and there wasn’t any food in my room. So, I walked despite feeling dehydrated, but I didn’t realize that I was not well enough to walk that kind of distance until I felt myself blacking out midway. I remember having to sit on the sidewalks to take short breaks as people walked past me. But I desperately needed food, so I kept pushing through to the point where I had to limp upstairs and across the hall just to grab a water. I then limp-ran to the restroom where I felt myself fully passing out. Moments later, a few workers came to the restroom to help me by walking me to a couch in the study/chill area of the cafe. They called the ambulance for me, though I ended up feeling a little better when they came.
The lesson I learned here is to never ignore whatever my body’s telling me, despite wanting something so desperately. I believe the same is true for mental health when you’re constantly pushing yourself to work to the point where you can’t function normally.
How do you spend your time?
I spend my time writing and producing my songs, walking in nature, taking a train to NYC at least once a week, catching up with my close friends, and watching good shows, like Breaking Bad. I am also currently working two part-time jobs (one as a banquet server and the other as a piano/vocal instructor) where I can get a little pay while doing what I love to do at the same time.
What are you most proud of?
I am honestly proud of myself for graduating from Berklee! I would have never thought that I learned and developed my artistry so much just by going to a music school like that. I used to doubt my talents when I first entered because I didn’t get a scholarship like most kids, though I did get one eventually as a continuing student for all of my hard work in my classes. Thus, I feel more confident as a writer and performer and I can’t wait to grow even more as an artist and musician.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Omg it would be AMAZING if I could open for Steely Dan. I remember falling in love with the band in college and I have been told by fellow professors and classmates that I drew a lot of harmonic influences from them in my songwriting. I also remember seeing them live in Boston during my first semester at Berklee and just thinking how energetic and soulful their set was.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I always make sure I try to write something new down, whether it be a musical or lyrical idea, at least once everyday, and then, later on, I see what I can do to expand on them. Patience, to me, is key to great songs! I also like to get inspired by listening to music similar to my style/vibe while walking around town.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
I’d say yes and no. Yes, because there are a vast amount of softwares and tools that help musicians like myself enhance their notation, recording and production skills to make their songs the best that they can be. No, because of the pressure to stay relevant on social media somehow. If not used right, us musicians are prone to self-doubt, comparison, and anxiety. Thus, balance is crucial, especially in this day and age, if we want to create the best music possible while staying mentally well.
What superpower would you have and why?
It would be amazing if I can teleport to any time and place I want to be in right now, without needing a car or plane to get to my destinations. For instance, I’d love to be in Tokyo right now or experience what NYC would be like in the 1970s, where no social media was needed to promote my music - just word of mouth.