The French liqueur Chartreuse is a herbal beverage with a yellowish-green hue that has been produced by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. Although the Birmingham-based band Chartreuse may not have the same rich history as the liqueur, their music exudes a similarly captivating quality. Their sound ranges from laid-back indie-folk reminiscent of Bon Iver to introspective, atmospheric soundscapes akin to the rock of Radiohead.
Having been together for over ten years, the quartet is extremely cohesive; the group consists of Hattie Wilson (piano, vocals), her long-time partner Mike Wagstaff (drums), Mike's brother Rory Wagstaff (drums), and Perry Lovering (bass), a childhood friend of Hattie's. This deep connection contributes to their sound; when they perform together, their instinctual interplay is both distinct and expansive.
Their newly released album, ‘Bless You & Be Well’, maintains the lyrical clarity of their previous work but leans towards a more optimistic outlook. It expresses that being in a band can be affirming, offering music as a remedy for difficult times—a healing elixir that resonates with the curious substance from which the band derives its name.
While traveling to Germany for the Haldern Pop Festival, Hattie and Mike spoke with CLASH via Zoom from the backseat of their vehicle.
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The title of your latest album, ‘Bless You & Be Well’, has a wholesome sound, yet you’ve referred to it as a ‘backhanded goodbye’, suggesting it is ‘kind but final’. What inspired this notion?
Mike: Yes, the title has multiple layers. Initially, it’s somewhat amusing; it's not something you'd typically tell a friend, so it's not an expression I use casually. It's also the title of a song we wrote eight years ago, which discusses anxiety and jealousy. The underlying sentiment is about rising above that and saying goodbye poetically—it's fun and a touch dramatic.
You recorded the album last summer in a rural Iceland studio over two weeks. How did you manage to stay creatively inspired in such a remote place where the sun never sets?
Hattie: We had never done a residential recording before; we always worked on things ourselves. So going to Iceland, somewhere we had never been, was quite inspiring. The stunning landscapes made working on our music feel unique. Being confined and focused was something we hadn't experienced before, as we had other jobs during our last album. This time, we could indulge our creativity at all hours, which was thrilling and allowed us to explore the music more deeply.
The lyrics in this record touch on themes of grief and suffering, from the loss of a parent to cancer, to recovering from major surgery, and facing challenging moments in relationships. Yet, the album ultimately feels more joyful, celebrating the art of making music together.
Hattie: Exactly. This time, we aimed to create something more hopeful and a bit lighter. When I sing the songs now, I don’t feel sad about anything. It’s refreshing to let them go, and I feel hopeful in that regard.
Especially with ‘I’m Losing It’, which reflects on my operation, I've found it helpful in processing those emotions. It’s nice to have that song assist in making sense of my feelings. As cliché as it sounds, that’s the reason I write music.
I was intrigued by your cover art featuring a close-up of a rosette.
Mike: It was a bit of a silly idea we came up with. Music can be a thankless endeavor that nobody asks you to undertake, and it's quite challenging. So we thought it would be amusing to reward ourselves.
Hattie: One award for each single.
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The video for ‘Fold’ plays on this theme, showcasing Hattie at a car boot sale with a table of trophies while the camera gradually zooms out…
Hattie: The concept was that nobody's buying them, which adds a humorous touch, as people walk by while I’m trying to sing directly to the camera.
Sam Petts-Davies, who has worked with The Smile and Thom Yorke, is the first producer you’ve collaborated with in years. How was that experience?
Mike: We self-produced everything for about four to five years leading up to this album, so initially, it felt a little strained adjusting to having someone else in the room. However, once we established trust and recognized it was a good fit, we relaxed and allowed the process to unfold, which was a lovely experience.
Hattie: Sam is a fantastic producer who helped us progress quickly whenever we felt stuck.
You’ve mentioned John Martyn as one of your favorite artists, whom I also admire. Do you draw inspiration from different artists or do you share similar tastes?
Mike: That’s a tough question! Collectively, we appreciate Lambchop and Damien Jurado—his lyrics are wonderful.
Hattie: I’m also a fan of Warpaint.
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The French liqueur Chartreuse is a herbal drink with a yellowish-green hue, produced by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. Although