I recently had the chance to talk to Charlie Brennan, a (shockingly) young new singer/songwriter. At such a young age, it’s pretty amazing what he’s been able to accomplish in terms of getting an EP, Fight!, on iTunes and receiving some amount of critical acclaim for doing it, even appearing on such webcasts as Wrecked Radio. Remember, you heard about him first on W2FY! Interview after the jump.
Tell us a little about yourself, how old are you now and what are you doing outside of your music?
My name is Charlie Brennan and I am a singer/songwriter from New York, NY. I am 15 years old, going into my sophomore year in high school. Outside of my music I focus on photography and making mashups/remixes of popular songs.
How did you get started with music, and how did it turn into you being a solo artist?
I started making music in 5th grade when I got my first Macbook. It sounds ridiculous (and it was) but that was when I knew I wanted to be a singer. I wrote my first songs alone in my basement. I didn’t show anyone or even tell anyone. It wasn’t until freshman year in high school that I showed people my songs. I started by making Remixes on a Youtube channel called JanuCremix. As the videos became more popular, I decided I would just go for it. I put up my first song “Sleep Talker” on Youtube near the end of freshman year. My grade became interested and when it got its first 300 views, I moved it to a new channel, dedicated solely to my music. From there, I became more confident in my music and ability to express myself and put my debut album, The Fight, on iTunes.
What feedback have you seen recently with your new music?
Recently I have been getting very positive reviews on my music. I get emails constantly complimenting me on my album and my songs on Youtube. My view count on Youtube has recently been going up on my songs “Up” and “Secrets”.
What do you aim for when you create music, and is there any message you try to send?
When I write a song, I aim for a catchy hook and chorus that will be stuck in people’s heads. I love hearing people humming my song or singing it in the hallway because it makes me feel like I created something that means something to people around me. The messages I try to write about aren’t necessarily about my own experiences. I try to write songs that people can relate to or understand. Only four of the eight songs on my debut album are actual experiences of my own that I decided to write about.
How would you describe your music?
Charlie: I find it hard to describe my music genre to people when they ask me about it. My album has an electronic/dance/alternative feel to it that is hard to set to one specific genre. I try to make my songs catchy because I love songs with a catchy beat and a good chorus.
What is your touring schedule like right now?
This summer was my first experience touring. In my most recent show, I performed at the Mahal Foundation Summer Music Festival in which I performed with artists like JR Aquino and Ryan Bandong. I go away during the school year, so it is difficult to have shows during that time period. Currently, I’m working on setting up a series of concerts for next summer.
What kind of people have you met through music?
Through Youtube and Twitter, I have talked to people like Colette Carr, and Jess Paul (from Wrecked Radio). I was featured on an episode of Wrecked Radio on Youtube where she talked about my album on iTunes and my music genre. That episode was EXTREMELY helpful because a new audience was exposed to my music.
What do you see yourself doing with your music in the next two years?
In the next two years I hope to keep targeting audiences and spread my music around as much as possible. I’m already working on my next album but I also want to focus on continuing to promote my first album.
What can we expect from you both in the near future and a little bit down the road?
Currently, I’m working on some new songs that should be on my Youtube page by the end of this summer. Two songs that I’m especially excited for are ones called “Heart Skipped a Beat” and “Somebody to Love”. The genre is a little different in my songs coming out soon because I decided to experiment with new instruments and sounds. Also, a Secrets remix should be coming out in the end of august which will feature a surprise guest who will be adding a rap verse.
What’s the best way to keep track of what you are doing?
The best way to keep track of all my new music coming in the future would be through my Myspace, Youtube, or Facebook page:
http://www.myspace.com/charliebrennanofficial
http://www.youtube.com/charliebrennanmusic
http://www.facebook.com/charliebrennanmusic
Also, I LOVE getting personal feedback so I encourage people to email me at Charliebrnn@aol.com
What influences your music?
My influences are my friends and family. When it comes down to it, my closest friends were the ones who were there for me and pushed me to put my music out on the web. The person who meant the most to me during the time period when I wasn’t confident in my music was a good friend of mine. Without Maggie Alisberg, I wouldn’t be where I am today with my music. Since the end of the school year, I haven’t talked to her recently, but all my thanks really do go to her.
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