Rising Star To Sing Farewell 'Thanks' To City
28 May 2012
Singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter is embarking on a series of gigs to promote her new album after completing her BA (Hons) in Popular Music with Music Technology degree course.
Before I came to the University I felt like a girl with a guitar and now I'm leaving I feel like a musician.
”Charlotte Carpenter
Singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter will barely have time to tune her guitar after completing her University of Derby degree course in June - as she's immediately hitting the road for a series of gigs.
The 20-year-old has been balancing her three-year BA (Hons) in Popular Music with Music Technology degree course with building a steady fan base for her own melodic acoustic guitar songs.
In the last few years she has taken part in an annual BBC talent showcase, recorded her debut EP, signed a record deal with istartedthefire Records of Cheltenham and posted music videos online (shot with the help of fellow Derby students at film company YSP Media).
Next Sunday (June 3) she plays Nottingham's Dot To Dot Festival. Then on Friday June 8 at 8pm she will stage a special farewell gig at Sadlergates café and wine bar, 19-20 Sadler Gate, Derby city-centre, as a 'thank you' for its support and that of the University, and many others in the city.
A busy schedule of gigs follows including:
- June 14-18 - Playing at the Beach Break Live festival at Pembrey Country Park, South Wales, where she played last year (2011) after winning a talent competition.
- July 6 to 8 - At the third annual Barn On The Farm Festival, at Over in Gloucestershire
- August 3 - Y Not Festival, Matlock, Derbyshire
- Throughout August - Solo tour of Scotland to promote the September re-release of the Let It Go EP, under the istartedthefire Records label .
Charlotte, originally from Desborough near Kettering, said: "I began singing aged eight, when I was more interested in musical theatre and being on the stage. Just when I was getting bored with that my Dad took me to see Avril Lavigne in concert and I knew that's what I wanted to do.
"I got my first acoustic guitar when I was 14-years-old, and spent a lot of time in my bedroom teaching myself how to play and write songs."
Charlotte was attracted to Derby initially because she'd heard James Morrison (the singer behind hits You Give Me Something and Beautiful) was discovered singing in a bar here but stayed when she was accepted onto the University's Popular Music with Music Technology degree course.
Charlotte added: "I had a good first feeling about the place which has been confirmed by the support I've received at the University from my course tutor Michael Brown, my fellow students and others.
"Being here has started my whole career. Before I came to the University I felt like a girl with a guitar and now I'm leaving I feel like a musician."
Michael Brown, Programme Leader for the University's BA (Hons) Popular Music with Music Technology course, said: "While at the University Charlotte has defined herself creatively and matured into a confident, assured performer; demonstrating individuality, a professional attitude and the determination to succeed.
"The Popular Music with Music Technology programme is designed to prepare students for a range of employment opportunities in the music sector. Charlotte has been a committed and diligent student across the whole spectrum of her studies, and I'm very proud of her achievements."
For more information about Charlotte and her music see her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/charlottecarpentermusic or Twitter feed at @ccarpentermusic
Charlotte's farewell gig will be held as her fellow final year students in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology also put their work on display in the annual Degree Shows.
Running from June 1 to 12 the shows feature works by students in film, photography, textiles, fashion, product design, architecture, fine art and many other subjects; in free public exhibitions at the University's Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill sites, in Derby.
For more information see University website www.derby.ac.uk/degreeshow
For more media information please contact Press & PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk
