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If Crudmusic were at a party and Charlotte Hatherley
were at that party too, we're fairly sure we wouldn't
speak. We know our place. we've watched her at other
parties over the years; in Ash, for instance, where
her smouldering if somewhat static presence was in stark,
liberating contrast to the overspill of male testosterone
all around her. Which, incidentally, she tamed with
ease. And on the current run of Bat For Lashes live
shows where her steely, demure stance and impressive
instrumental capability is an appropriate foil and undoubted
enhancement to Natasha Khan's more free-willed, ethereal
shtick. And over two solo albums she has perfected a
deadly, sub-radar melodic offensive. This is not a habit
she's about to break either. Her third lone endeavour
'New Worlds' is a quietly masterful welter of minimalist
new-wave glistening in a dew of hazy harmonic awe. It's
punchy but it doesn't hurt too much. It's derivative
but never rests on its laurels and is only predictable
in its consistency. We think we just saw pop music trying
to crack on to her by the punch bowl in the kitchen,
but although she's a tease, she never gives in to his
advances. That would be too easy. In the same sense
as it not being what you take off, but rather what you
keep on, the small distance she keeps turns out to be
what makes your hairs stand on end. And there's a lot
of that. We caught up with her on the latest Bat For
Lashes tour to find out where her head's at...
Where are you now? What can you see?
In a dressing room in Cardiff. I see grey walls and
rider food.
What was the last thing you ate?
Vegetable Biryani for dinner and breakfast.
What was the last album you bought?
The last Marnie Stern record with the insanely long
title, I think she's a genius.
What was the last movie you saw?
I saw 'Zombieland' and 'UP' in a double billing on my
day off in Nottingham. Both excellent. 'Zombieland'
very sweet and bloody with an excellent Bill Murray
cameo. 'UP' made me cry like a small child.
What are you most looking forward to?
The Bat For Lashes gig tonight.
Who are you most indebted to?
David Bowie.
What was the last thing you liked that you saw on
TV?
Criminal Justice, a 5 hour session on iplayer yesterday.
It was so good.
Where or how do you feel most comfortable?
In bed. I've been on a tourbus all year.
What would you class as your most defining moment?
Probably meeting Tim Wheeler when I was 17
What are your plans for tonight?
Dinner, gig, drinks, drive...
www.charlottehatherley.com
James Berry for Crud Magazine 2009©
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