“I grew up listening to Alanis Morissette, Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt—they continue to be the backbone of everything that inspires and influences me sonically”
The Gibson Artist Spotlight program is proud to showcase an evolving roster of new musical talent across Gibson channels globally. Following recent additions KO KO MO and ASAKA, the latest addition to the program is Charlotte Sands. Based in Los Angeles, California, Charlotte Sands delivers a powerhouse blend of alt-pop and raw emotional storytelling. We caught up with her to find out more.
How would you describe your music?
“This question is always so difficult for me to answer! I would describe my music as alternative or rock with pop influences. I grew up listening to artists like Alanis Morissette, Michelle Branch, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt—they continue to be the backbone of everything that inspires and influences me sonically. The dream of getting to work or exist alongside those incredible women was the entire reason why I started writing my own songs and learned how to play the guitar.”
What is your favorite piece of gear that you own?
“My favorite Gibson gear that I own is my black SG Standard or my Hummingbird. I love playing my SG and really love how lightweight it is, especially when we’re traveling for a show and flying from city to city. My dad actually built me my first electric guitar, which is a custom SG. He refurbished one he had found, brought it back to life, and painted it blue to match my hair. It’s still to this day the best gift I’ve ever received and since then, it’s the only kind of electric I’ve wanted to play. He’s an incredible musician and guitarist and still to this day can shred on just about an instrument.
“Playing that guitar always reminds me of how grateful I am to have had the childhood I had, to be surrounded by creativity and music in every corner of our house, and to be constantly encouraged to pursue this dream and every other. The SG feels like an ode to him every time I play it. I do have a very special place in my heart for my Hummingbird. It truly is one of—if not the—best sounding acoustic guitar I’ve ever played. It’s the first thing I reach for whenever I’m writing a song and at this point I can’t imagine living in a home without having one an arm’s length away.”
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
“Where do I even begin? I truly believe I am the luckiest person in the world because of how hard it is to choose a singular highlight. I am eternally grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the amazing humans I get to share them with. From opening for My Chemical Romance to touring with 5 Seconds of Summer, Yungblud, and so many of my idols—I don’t even know how to pick. It always sounds like a story I’m making up and I really can’t believe it’s my life.
“I also have to mention getting to do a song with The Maine and Taking Back Sunday who are truly some of the most incredible people and artists of all time. Getting to sing that song together all over the world has been some of the most wonderful moments. I think my fondest memories will honestly always be meeting people from so many different places and finding the thing that connects us, wether it’s a song or a lyric or the love of another artist, finding common ground and getting to exist within this incredible community is forever the highlight of my career.”
What would be your dream artist or producer collaboration, and why?
“My dream collabs would be with Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. I truly believe they are two of the most brilliant songwriters, vocalists, performers, musicians, producers, and human beings of all time. The intention, the care, the tenacity, and the complete self possession behind their music and her entire career is so inspiring to me, I would lose my mind if I ever got to work with them—or be anywhere in their vicinity! Watching women in this industry reach that level of success while fully embodying who they are is awe-inducing. They exist as whole people, holding softness and emotional intelligence alongside strength, rebellion, and fearlessness. They are unapologetically themselves in every sense, and that depth is so rare and so powerful. I’m incredibly grateful to have grown up with them as my heroes.”
What does being part of the Gibson Artist Spotlight program mean to you?
“I feel honored to be a part of this program and to be here alongside so many incredible artists and musicians that I am in constant awe of. It means so much to me to be a part of something so special and to be a part of the Gibson family. It’s truly been such an amazing experience getting to know the teams behind the scenes that create so much magic and continue to support and inspire so many artists. I feel very proud to be a part of such a legendary organization and feel very privileged to get to play some of the best instruments in the world, all thanks to them.”
What’s next on the horizon for you?
“My sophomore album, Satellite, is out in the world March 6th and I couldn’t be more excited for that. I am so proud of these songs and can’t wait to get to play them live this year all over the world. I’m also very excited and honored to be touring with Simple Plan later this year in the UK and Europe, and a lot of other fun things that we haven’t announced yet, so keep your eyes peeled!”
Find out more about Charlotte Sands by visiting her Artist Spotlight profile page.
