In conversation with Charlie, from Sierra Hotel, one of our “Artist in Residence” from September through to February. Click here to check out their latest releases.

I can see you draw inspiration from quite a diverse group of artists. Why do you choose to draw from multiple genres/styles?

I choose from an array of genres and styles because I love so many different kinds of music. I think my greatest struggle and/or privilege as a muso is working within a box, as there’s just so much music to make and so many different moods and emotions to express that merely one genre couldn’t express. Well that’s just how I feel, I’m sure that’s not the case for everyone.

I can see you’ve recently changed your stage name to Sierra Hotel from Charlesworth. What was the thought process behind this change?

The name change came about as I was never really sold on Charlesworth, it was just a name that stuck when I was younger. I never felt like it represented the project well enough and personally I don’t feel like it looked great on a poster among other names.

Your latest song ‘Avalanche’ speaks to some of the turmoil and ludicrousy of recent events. Some examples in the accompanying music video are the flash flooding in NSW, the covid outbreak and the war in Ukraine. Tell me a little bit about the initial inspiration for this song?

Avalanche was written in the first half of 2020 when covid lockdowns and restrictions really started getting quite hectic. It was a processing of what was going on at the time/still going on and where it feels like the world is headed. But hey fingers crossed humans get their shit together.

I can see you’ve been in the studio with JB Patterson, who was one of the previous artists in residence, when can we expect to see some new releases?

Yeah it was so lovely working with Jack, he’s such a beautiful and talented human. Those tunes you can expect coming out early next year, got a few songs to release from an old ep before I get around to them. Very exited for them to be out in the world.

For more details and updates on Sierra Hotel’s residency head to their Facebook event here

Sierra Hotel

Alisha Todd