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Few artists have had a rise to stardom in the last few years, quite like Charlotte Sands has. From collaborating with her heroes to realizing who she wants to be, it's been an incredible and inspiring journey to watch and be a part of. Shifting from her pop roots into a sound that pulls from pop-punk and post-hardcore as much as straight-up emotional rock, she is more comfortable and confident in her heart and soul than ever.

That is defined by her new EP Good Now. A culmination of the last 12 months in sonic form, it is a vulnerable, vibrant, and viciously catchy EP that focuses on Charlotte's struggle with disassociation. It's a warts and all look at what it means to show your innermost feelings to the world and what it means to have a community and place where you can be that honest.

"My entire life, my goal has always been to connect with people, it's why I make music and why I love to perform," shared Sands. "so when I started to experience an overwhelming disconnect from my life and the people around me, I became extremely anxious, afraid that my biggest motivation and (what felt like) my reason for existing was going to disappear," she says. "I still experience these feelings every day, and that fear still exists in me, but through creating these songs, I was able to find peace and reassurance that I will always find my way out." 

The Noise had the chance to chat with Charlotte about the EP, her favorite music moments, and what she's looking forward to in the future.

First of all, congrats on the release! How are you feeling knowing people are listening to Good Now?

CHARLOTTE SANDS: Thank you so much! I am so excited that these songs are finally out in the world, and I am so grateful for the people who have taken the time to listen to them. It feels like a big sigh of relief knowing that these songs and stories now have a life outside of my phone or my notes app, and I couldn't be more proud of them all.

What kind of influences or inspirations, music or otherwise, were you consuming before or during the creation of the EP? How do you feel this EP differs from your previous work, or does it feel like a continuation of what you've been doing?

I'm always listening to a lot of different music and different genres, which definitely impacted the creation of the EP. I wanted to make something with multiple influences, from pop/rock to a folk/acoustic song to one that's more straightforward and pop-leaning. I love the idea of being able to blend genres and influences, and I really enjoyed getting to do that on this project.

What does the EP's title mean to you, and how does that meaning carry over into the record? (unless you thought it sounded cool, which is also fine!)

I chose “Good Now” as the title because it was the final song we added to it, but also because it felt like it represented the resolution of the entire project and all the songs combined. I liked the fact that a lot of the songs are about these difficult feelings or experiences but I'm able to write about them and release them into the world. It feels like part of the healing process and almost like releasing "Good Now" has actually helped me get to that place.

What was the most challenging aspect of making the EP? Did you encounter any writer's block? Was there one song that was hard to nail down in production? How did you go about working through it?

I definitely experienced writer's block over the last year because I was touring so much and didn't have a lot of downtime to feel creative and write songs. It was a really difficult time for me, but luckily we were able to find enough time to make these songs based off of those feelings, emotions, and experiences. 

What is your favorite music moment on this record? That can mean anything it means it to you, like your favorite guitar part, breakdown, or your favorite lyric on the album.

I would say right now my favorite music moment is the chorus melody in "Good Now". I remember writing that song and trying to figure out a melody that actually encompassed the emotions I was feeling, and we messed around and reworked it over and over again until we were able to get it to where it is now. 

The album dives into many heavy topics like love and mental health. How do you stay grounded in those moments of creation so that the message comes across in the music without becoming melodramatic but also not being so restrained that it's apathetic?

I think my main priority is to be honest. I try to let go of the pressure or expectations to be anything or anyone else, and I focus on saying things the way I would say them in a conversation to a friend or in my journal to myself. I love writing because it allows me the freedom to create or change a story if I want to but also allows me to be fully transparent and honest without any restrictions. The best I can do is be truthful and open and hope that somebody is able to find comfort and community in the songs.

As I said before, this record tackles many weighty topics. Of course, music is subjective, and everyone will get something different out of it, but what is one thing you hope people take away from it?

I hope people feel less alone in their own experiences and are able to recognize how similar we all are. I want people to listen to these songs and feel seen and understood. That's the way I felt when I discovered my favorite songs or my favorite artists, and I really hope I'm able to bring that comfort to someone else.

Which song is your favorite to play live right now?

I really love playing "Alright" because we added an extra guitar solo for the live version, which makes it really fun. I love playing guitar on stage, so it's definitely a moment I look forward to.

What would you like to experiment more with in the future?

I'm excited to experiment more with different sounds and genres. I want my music to change and evolve with me, and I'm excited to see what that will look and sound like in the future.

If you could give a piece of advice to your past self from the beginning of your journey as an artist, what would you say?

I would say trust your gut and stick to your guns. Do what makes you happy and make what you're proud of despite any criticism or judgement.

Other than the release of this EP, what's one thing you're looking forward to doing in the remainder of 2023? It can apply to anything unrelated to music also!

I am so excited to be touring in the fall with The Band CAMINO as well as 5 Seconds Of Summer. I love those bands and could not be more thrilled to be getting to play shows with them.

Do you have a message for the fans that might be reading this article?

Hi, I love you, and I am so happy that we have found each other in this lifetime. Thank you for being here and for being a part of this journey.