Q: “Plastic Stars” feels incredibly personal and emotionally charged. What were some of the key emotions you were channeling when you wrote and composed this piece?
HENRY CHARLES: Earlier in the year I travelled up to Newcastle for the first time to play a gig for Sofar Sounds. I had a few hours to kill in a hotel room before my set and I was suddenly hit with a wave of guilt about the fact I’d never visited my sister during her time at university there.
I originally wrote the song as a poem, which is something I’ve never done before, and it wasn’t until much later, when I was back in London, that I managed to fit some chords and melodies around it. For me, the song is about the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and regret. We all have those fleeting moments we wish we could hold onto forever, but the ache of realizing they’re gone is what makes them so haunting and beautiful.
Q: The inclusion of your sister’s voice at the end adds such a poignant touch. Was that planned from the beginning, or did it happen organically during the production process?
CHARLES: My dad recently digitised a lot of our old family VHS tapes and last year I started watching them all. I think that process informed a lot of the themes and lyric ideas I wrote about across the EP.
During my time producing “Plastic Stars,” I happened to watch a couple of videos from the same time frame I referenced in the song. The audio samples helped to transport me back to that time as a listener and give the lyrics some context. I hadn’t planned to use them, but I couldn’t imagine the song without them now.
Q: The song features some really interesting guitar work, especially the subtle squeaks of the strings. Was that a deliberate stylistic choice, or was it more about capturing the raw emotion of the performance?
CHARLES: I’ve been playing guitar for a long time now but I’ve always struggled with squeak noises in my performances. I’ve gone to great lengths to try and reduce the sound of them, but in the context of my recording style and intimate lyrics I’ve actually started to enjoy them in my productions now. Capturing raw emotion is important to the music I want to make, so sometimes, leaving things a little less polished helps with that.
Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
CHARLES: My Dad was very influential on my musical taste growing up. We used to listen to a lot of Cream, Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Hendrix, but also great singer-songwriters like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell. There’s so much incredible music from contemporary artists I love, too – Bruno Major, Lianne La Havas, Monica Martin, Rhodes, Tom Odell, Jordan Rakei, Olivia Dean, James Blake, Matt Corby, and Shey Baba… just to name a few.
They’ve all taught me the power of vulnerability in songwriting and production. The stories they tell are so well crafted and considered, but they also let the quiet moments and the space between the notes say just as much as the lyrics. Each of these artists uses their voice as a central tool of their expression, and they’ve been a huge influence on how I try to use mine.
Q: You’ve mentioned that “Plastic Stars” is dedicated to your sister. How has your family influenced your music and your journey as an artist?
CHARLES: They’ve shaped so much of who I am, and I think my music reflects that. Writing about them feels like writing about the foundation of my world – messy, beautiful, and full of stories I’ll never stop wanting to tell. Beyond that, I just feel incredibly lucky to have such a supportive family that believes in me. They see how hard I work at this, but they’ve also seen how difficult it’s been and what I’ve sacrificed. Without them, I’m not sure I would have kept making music, and a big part of why I keep going is to make them all proud.
Q: What are your hopes for listeners when they hear “Plastic Stars”? What kind of emotions or thoughts do you hope they evoke?
CHARLES: I personally believe regret can be a very healthy experience in our lives. I think it can shine a light on what is important to us and help us act better for ourselves and others in the future. I have an incredible relationship with my sister, but writing this song helped me examine the times I’ve let her down and how I would like to show up for her moving forward. Hopefully, anyone listening feels a little less alone in their regret, and those quiet, unremarkable moments are often the ones that mean everything looking back.
Q: What’s next for Henry Charles? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you can tell us about?
CHARLES: I’ve recently started a master’s in Creative Music Production, which is having a big influence on my songwriting. I’m really excited to be back in the studio, working on new material for my next project and learning from some incredible artists and producers along the way. I’m also looking forward to getting back out on stage throughout the year.
Q: Do you have anything you want to say to your listeners?
CHARLES: Just a massive thank you. It’s been nerve-wracking getting my first project out there, but I really appreciate everyone who’s listened and followed the start of my journey so far. I am working hard at it every day, and I can’t wait to share new music with you all very soon.
Interviewed by Taylor Berry
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