The Metal Asylum Talks To Charise Sowells

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Hi, my name is Charise Sowells and I have performed and released music under a myriad of names but recently I decided to streamline things and put everything under my given name.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

I’m from St. Paul, MN but I have lived all over the US: Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; Northern and Southern California; New York.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

A few of my faves are Enya, The National, and Bjork. Enya’s layered vocals transport me every time which is something I want my music to do. The National’s sentimentality tugs on my heartstrings and inspires me to do the same. Bjork’s unique compositions and brazen vocal stylings taught me to embrace being different as a singer-songwriter.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

When I found out Enya had the success that she did without being a touring musician I was inspired to pursue music professionally. Because while I grew up performing since the age of 4 and continued to do so for decades, my favorite part of the creative process has always been making something out of nothing. And then when it comes to music in particular, capturing that creation for others to experience even when I’m gone. Enya’s career became a sort of template for me when I saw a documentary about her in the early 90’s. Releasing albums, finding lifelong collaborators, and getting my music into movies, games, and shows became the long term goals, rather than touring.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

I went to see Matchbox 20 in concert the other day so I’ve gone down a gloriously nostalgic rabbit hole of music from the mid 90’s.

Do you sing in the shower?

Of course! And whistle too.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

I’d like to get OBSOLESCENT ADOLESCENCE on the radio some more and placed in some things like a film or TV show. There’s also more music coming down the pipeline.

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

I do. There’s another album finished plus some singles and covers.

If you could play at any venue in the world, where would you choose?

I dream more about studios I’d like to record in. Abbey Road being the first to come to mind.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

I love SO much music, of all different kinds too. But one album that is perfect background music for me when working desk jobs or writing scripts is The Virgin Suicides by Air.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Trending TikTok music.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Oh man, let’s see: Enya, Loreena McKennitt, Iron and Wine, The National, Air, Zero 7, Jose Gonzalez, Aurora, and then Bjork to close things out.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Pretty sure it was Jackson 5, on cassette. Unfortunately, not. All my tapes were left in the back of a NY taxicab’s trunk during one of my many moves. Even tapes that had my first songs and monologues I’d ever written on them. Sad day.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Thanks for the support!

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

https://www.charisesowells.com/

@charisesowells on all platforms

https://www.tiktok.com/@charisesowells

https://www.facebook.com/charisesowells/

https://mobile.twitter.com/charisesowells

https://youtube.com/c/ChariseSowells

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3568632/