Artist Spotlight: Charlton Graham
The 22-year-old aspiring pop singer, based in the famed music city of Memphis, Tennessee, is making the music of his dreams. Those dreams are of kings and princes, angels and changelings, dragons and full moons.
In this conversation, Charlton Graham dives into the memories that shaped their voice and the vision shaping their future.
MusicsWeek: When did you begin to see music as more than a personal outlet?
Charlton Graham: When I graduated high school and decided that being a star in music was something I was very serious about doing, and the kind of lifestyle I wanted to have
MusicsWeek: What personal traits do you think most influence your creative decisions?
Charlton Graham: I feel that storytelling and a strong significant passion for writing as that is another thing that i've once thought about pursuing and out of the 2 right now, while both are very competitive fields to break into music, at least seems like a better space for me to be able to promote myself and to give myself more visibility and exposure and because of that, I believe music, I have a better shot at having my career take off with sooner than it would be with writing. So this is my way of kind of blending. My music skills, along with some of my writing abilities
MusicsWeek: How do ideas for new songs or projects usually take shape for you?
Charlton Graham: It usually feels like it comes from a mixture of me trying to tell in the first couple albums of my releases, my own story and my own personal beliefs of myself and mix it in metaphors and phrases in a concept of things that are more unrelatable, such as aliens dragons and werewolf naturally as I am very creative person in general and i feel music is a strong place to showcase that talent
MusicsWeek: What helps you stay productive during periods of creative uncertainty?
Charlton Graham: I think it's just mainly believing in myself and trusting that everything I do when it comes to my journey of making my music is, hopefully, if not today or anytime soon, eventually, hopefully like within a few years, will get me just somewhere. I really want to be, and that it's all worth it in the end, as long as all of this gets me to where I want to be.
MusicsWeek: How do you typically move from an initial idea to a finished piece of work?
Charlton Graham:I think it's being able to have a skill of being able to tell a story, an effective story in your mind that you have a genuine belief that other people can easily connect to when it is shared out into and put out into the world. Once you have that story, put it together in your head for me. Because of the fact that I feel that I am very good at coming up with thoughts and putting them together, and have a true love for sharing stories, whether that's through music, writing or other aspects of storytelling, that is what makes it More fun for me.
MusicsWeek: What part of the creative process do you find most challenging?
Charlton Graham: I think it's known that you have exceptional music. Talent, that is hard to get out there to be heard. I think it's also knowing that you are very passionate and desire. Something to an extreme level, to a level that conquers other things in your life and in your world.And knowing that there's a sense of uncertainty about my music to be in front of the right people at the right times, and believing that it's possible to actually succeed in this industry.
MusicsWeek: What impact do you hope your work has on those who spend time with it?
Charlton Graham: As I continue to thrive in trying to grow a fanbase across social media platforms and streaming platforms. I just hope that my music gives fans a sense of purpose, self-identity and self-empowerment
MusicsWeek: What areas of your artistry are you most focused on developing next?
Charlton Graham: I would like to have the opportunity to become a better producer and have a better experience being in the music industry, to give me the opportunity to produce more music independently. But I am more dependent on this happening if I can make it as far as getting signed to a record label first, as I know, I'll have better connections in the industry and access once that kicks in.
MusicsWeek: How do you envision the next phase of your creative journey?
Charlton Graham: I strongly desire to eventually get signed to an independent or major record label deal at some point, as I feel like I can't allow myself to truly let my music career take off until I have their type of ability to scale me as an artist with the resources that they have access to with their equipment. And for me to get the fullest music experience using music is an extreme addiction of mine, and it is something I just feel as if I was born to do. I also feel like there are many areas within music that I thrive in the most that makes me want to be patient to wait to get signed to continue moving forward with music. Because I have significant, strong hopes of landing a true major career and doing unspeakable things in this industry.
MusicsWeek: How do you think about your audience when you’re creating new material?
Charlton Graham: I try my very best to make my music sound relatable in its own way. I also love to keep my audience on the edge of their seats as it helps to create a stronger thrill when I'm announcing something like an album, release or a new song.
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