Who is Charlot?

Well, I am Charlot, 18 years old and I live in Middelburg(Zeeland) with my parents, sister and dog! I’m still at school. I have a boyfriend for more then two years now and I’m in the band XmH since April ’07!

When did you start singing?

When I was still in high school I was really busy with singing. In that time I also did school musicals as lead singer. I really enjoyed it. As I got older I didn’t really thought about it anymore. I still loved music but the singing wasn’t that important to me anymore.
When I reacted on XmH’s bulletin where they asked for a female singer I was a little insecure first, cause I haven’t sang seriously for a long time. But it felt good, so I just did it!

To what music did you listen as a kid?

My mom used to be a big fan of The Cure and Depeche Mode and my dad is a hard rocker( he likes bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc.) so I grew up with that two styles. In the age around 7 I also was a big fan of the Backstreet boys and Spice girls haha! When I was in high school I listent to metal and stuff like that. When I was like 14/15 years old I discovered bands like Hocico and Combichrist.

XmH placed an add on a bulletin asking for a female singer for their latest album, you responded to that, what happened?

I already knew Benjamin and we made a appointment for a day to go to the studio. In the studio I did what they had asked from me and they really liked it! It was exactly what they had in minds!

What made you decide to respond to the bulletin since  singing wasn’t that important?

At first I new the music of XmH and I loved it. They also searched for someone who lived near the other members of the band. And I still liked singing but I only was very insecure about it. But it felt good so I decided that I would put my insecurity away and just go for it.

You started as a singer for just the album but now you are in the band as singer for the female vocals and keyboards, why did the original plan changed?

A few days after we went to the studio Benjamin came to me and asked me if I would like it to join the band because he really liked what I did in the studio.

How did you responded to that, did it freak you out?

The day he asked me, I was out in the local café. Benjamin was there too. He came to me and asked me if I would like to join the band. I was like “What? Are you asking me?”! At first I couldn’t really believe it but after that I was really happy en honoured that I was a member of XmH since that evening.

Did you play keyboards before?

I did play keys when I was a little younger(like 10 or 11 years old) but just like the singing it kind of faded away. Pieter is also playing keyboards, but right know he is only doing the lead in the songs and I do the bass and the other keys.

Your first show was at the dutch summer darkness festival, how did you prepared for that show?

We practised a lot! There wasn’t that more I did to prepare myself. Of course I searched for a nice outfit and things like that. I wasn’t nervous at all!

Who is a source of inspiration for you, both musically and personally?

My favourite bands are Grendel, XP8, Hocico and Psyclon Nine. They all just make brilliant music! And they are also a real inspiration!

You recently started modelling as well, why and what is the fun of it?

I started modelling like a year ago. I got asked by a girl I already knew to do a photo shoot(not a professional photographer). I really liked the idea. So I did it. One of the photos came on the internet and from that moment more photographers asked me if I want to model for them.
Right now it’s a little while again I did shoots but I’d really like to start doing it again because I’m really enjoying it!

What are your goals for the future and how will you achieve them?

With XmH I hope that in a while we can perform in other countries then Holland. I would really like that and I think we can achieve that cause of our performances. Benjamin is so energetic on stage, everybody loves it! In my private live I just want to finish my study be happy with my boyfriend and family!

What is the craziest thing you ever bought?

I’ve bought several things that are really not making any sense. Some clothes I bought and never wear or just stupid crap that I just wanted to have because it looks nice or something. And when I buy something like that, I always throw it away in a corner of my bedroom and never take a look at it again;)

Everybody has embarrasing moments in their life, what is the worst you had?

Believe me! I’ve had many! I can’t even pick one specific moment out because especially when I was younger I did a lot of stupid things!

At Terra Gotha you almost will play a homecoming concert with friends and family being there, is this different for you and in what way?

Yes it is pretty different I think. Normally we play for people I don’t or barely know, but this time my family, boyfriend and friends will be there and I think it will be very cool but on the other side I’m going to be very nervous!

So you will have a few extra drinks before the concert or how will you deal with the nerves?

Well, maybe I will have a few drinks before the concert haha! But I don’t know yet. I think I just focus on the concert and go for it!

Any last words?

Everyone must come and check out one of our shows!

Xxx Charlot