Charley is a 28-year-old music artist and content creator based in Sydney, working across live performance, songwriting, and social media. She grew up on the Gold Coast in a musical family, with her dad playing regular gigs, so being around music always felt normal to her. That’s where her interest in singing started, especially listening to artists like Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, Paramore, and Jessie J and trying to keep up with their vocals. At 18, Charley moved to Sydney because she felt like there was more happening there musically, and she wanted to give it a proper shot. Writing songs didn’t come easily at the start, but after going through heartbreak, she found herself writing more naturally and more honestly. That moment changed how she approached music. She connected with the writing style of Julia Michaels, especially the way her songs feel personal but still simple. Since then, Charley has kept working on her music, figuring things out as she goes and building a career that feels true to her.
1. What are you currently working on, and what feels most exciting about it right now?
I’m currently about to release my debut album that I’ve been working on for 3 years. This album has been the most rewarding and hardest thing I’ve ever done, so it feels like I’m about to have a baby honestly. I’m just so excited for my listeners to hear it, and see it, and be able to finally sing back all the words to me at my shows as that’s my favourite part; seeing people connect with it and also hearing their stories on why
2. What’s been taking up the most space in your mind lately?
Honestly, Donald trump and how the world is right now. It’s a very scary place and it’s hard to not think about it, even though I’m not even living in the country, in the thick of it. I really feel for every single person who’s a minority or who’s apart of the bad things happening right now.
3. How many “drafts” do you usually make before the final version?
MANY. I’m such a perfectionist and it’s honestly hard for me to be happy with anything really! This album and most of my other music was made overseas, so when that is the case, finishing the songs has to mostly be listening to it, and describing what sound could MAYBE sound good, and then go back and fourth over weeks and weeks. It’s a bit of a grueling process to be honest. For 6 of the songs on the album, I was lucky enough to travel to NZ and finish off most of the songs productions with Harry Charles, one of the main producers on my record. Another thing I’d love to mention; I was only able to do this trip as I was accepted for a grant from Creative Australia, that helped me go overseas to finish it in person. It was SO incredible being able to be apart of the whole process in person and really dive deep into it and exercise every thought I had with a way bigger time limit.
4. What are you currently drawn to visually, emotionally, or creatively?
I’m currently drawn to nature in all it’s forms. I love anything that can be peaceful to look at, or hear whether it’s pretty flowers, or the ocean, lacy things, the rain, olivia dean, the sky, my girlfriends face. I’ve been very crafty lately as well as I’m making a whole scrapbook for my album which has photos, fun facts, and all different bits about the album. It’s been quite therapeutic glueing in photos and flowers and pretty pieces of paper that looks very aesthetically pleasing
5. Where do you find inspiration? How do you know it’s a good idea worth trying?
I mostly find my inspiration when I’m doing my walks or about to sleep. When I’m walking, I put my airpods on noise cancellation mode and I let my self think about whatever and that’s usually when I start to get ideas. For this whole album process, once I had all of the songs, that’s all I’d listen to, wherever I was, and every time I’d listen to the songs, different ideas would pop into my head whether it was what the music video for it should be, or what the cover art should be, maybe a tiktok idea, or how to sing it at my live shows etc.
6. What’s been challenging you the most lately, and how are you navigating it?
What’s challenging me the most lately is getting together my Headline tour that’s coming up, but in a good way! There are a lot of elements to organise and I like doing it all myself as I am a virgo lol. I’m currently working on the music side of the show while also doing the stage design and try to make it affordable while gorgeous, while also being able to transport across states! I have 10 people in my team that I’m taking on tour with me which is the biggest team I’ve had so far, so with more hands on deck, the more seamless the show will run! This upcoming tour has also been accepted for a grant by Sound NSW which helps me be able to pay for a lot of it. Unbelievably grateful for these Grants/ people behind it, who believe in my project enough to reward it to me!
7. How much of your process is intuition vs how much of it is discipline?
I’d say probably 50, 50. Doubt can really get in the way sometimes, and you really have to snap yourself out of it, especially when you’re not going through the best time mentally. So all I usually do, is just keep going, and remind myself that life is actually good, and it’s meant to be silly and fun. Since being diagnosed with ADHD and taking medication for it, lemme tell you, the amount I’ve been able to get done and the motivation for it had DOUBLED.
8. What’s something you’re proud of at the moment that people might not see?
I’m proud of my parents and my family. My family have moved to Melbourne at the age of nearly 70 years old and they completely took a chance as they wanted to be closer to my sister who’s about to have a baby. I feel like at that age it’s so easy to be set in their ways and not want to change, but they embraced it and they’re so happy. They’re the best people ever, and I wish I could live closer to them.
9. What are your practices/rituals to get you into a flow state?
I love waking up around 7am, going to the gym, taking my vyvanse and having a high protein brekkie and then my day usually starts after that!! Mostly my medication though hahaha
10. If you had an unlimited amount of money, what would you create?
Goodness. It would go allll towards the creative behind my music. I could make the most incredible music videos, or be able to put on the most incredible shows with gorgeous visuals, and have the best outfits and have the best merch etc.
