Charli xcx on BRAT and her life in club culture | RA Exchange: 721

As part of RA’s summer cover with Charli xcx, the pop icon sat down for a live Exchange with RA contributor Chal Ravens.
Ahead of BRAT's release in June 2024, Charli (born Charlotte Emma Aitchison) and Chal spoke about the making of the album, her extensive roots in club music, working with the late SOPHIE and more. This RA Exchange was recorded in front of an audience at AVA London.
Read our cover story, "Charli xcx Forever" on Resident Advisor: ra.co/features/4336
Host: Chal Ravens
Production: AVA London
Motion Graphics: Dan Derham
Track: Charli xcx - Club classics
00:00 - 04:55 'BRAT' and its themes of dance, minimalism, and confrontation.
04:56 - 09:45 Early life experiences with rave culture and pop music.
09:46 - 15:43 Music career and creative processes.
15:44 - 28:15 Songwriting and collaboration.
20:41 - 32:50 Integrity and commercial success.
32:51 - 41:50 Creative dry spells, influence and creative control.
41:52 - 46:12 Music industry's treatment of women
46:13 - 49:06 Audience questions

[@connormacgregor1531]

“I’ll be quick” then proceeds to ramble on🤣 I worship this long winded queen

[@earlkhentpermites8506]

This could've gone on for 3 more hours. I wanna listen to her talk about her catalog more

[@bexiexz]

please!

[@dylankai21]

fr!!!

[@KYLETISZAI]

I can't believe this actually happened.

[@rickm8720]

she is the one. i love hearing her ramble about her art and literally anything

[@ImDaIsh101]

Her personality is so refreshing! Ugh love herr

[@KYLETISZAI]

💯💯💯

[@reese8453]

“I’m addicted to the pendulum” might be one of my favorite sentences ever and so real

[@KYLETISZAI]

My newest single, streaming soon

[@iMissMyHomies]

i feel like she was describing her own Hegelian dialectic.

[@riggamorrischan]

Charli speaking about her mostly positive experiences in the music industry dealing with men is sorta refreshing and that’s not to negate any female artist that has had bad experiences, because it’s important to highlight that as well. It’s just nice to know there are some respectful people who are passionate about making music and aren’t out to screw women over.

[@bebel0ck]

I agree, those stories are important but what’s the point of trying to make it better for women if we’re not celebrating when the hard work pays off and people are able to do their thing!

[@chayo4537]

Ok.....

[@riggamorrischan]

@@bebel0ck Yeah, that should 100% be acknowledged and celebrated. It was just obvious that Charli didn’t know how to answer that question because like she said, she was lucky to not have had any traumatic experiences in the industry

[@bebel0ck]

@@riggamorrischan yes exactly! I’m affirming what you’re saying lol you’re exactly on point with your original comment!

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Yeah wow there’s respectful men in the world. Stop the presses everyone

[@aeongslvrr]

the aphex twin hello kitty shirt omg

[@naomm8832]

„ what is art without conviction ? it‘s crap“ - i love this woman

[@anthonyruiz-im7qp]

Its crazy how it seems the general public even charli didnt have faith and still dont dont see True Romance as a genuine cool album it was my first intro to charli and its still my favorite album of all time!

[@andie599]

It’s def not my go to charli album but I never skip a true romance song when it comes on 🥺

[@mirkovukoslavovic2636]

True Romance is wonderful from start til end.

[@Carlangus]

it’s an album ahead of its time, the more time passes, the better it gets ✨

[@whoisdukeasher]

So much respect for her artistry

[@sxmpxp]

This interview its so good because the questions are interesting and her answers so raw talking about her experience on her career and artistry... love listening to her talking shes amazing

[@nveshecco]

I’m so glad the summer is hers, she deserves it 🫶

[@nicholasofficial4141]

great interviewer. she really asked good well researched q's.

[@lilxibibi]

BRAT ALBUM OF THE YEAR

[@mattdearest]

this was such a fun interview 🤍😫🙏 i need charli to do more of those more lengthy interviews bc she's such an interesting person and i love the way she's answering the questions and telling stories

[@andruevalles275]

HER CALLING HUCK A LOSER LMFAOOO

[@shortesthandle]

Timestamp please???🥹

[@_gerb0t]

i don't think it was him, isn't Huck based in NYC? I think it might be Ryan Andrews, her ex who also directed her True Romance era music videos.

[@_gerb0t]

oops she did kinda called Huck a loser too :(

[@IsaacDeLacus]

TO ME HE IS A HERO, IMAGINE HIM NOT PLAYING SOPHIE TO CHARLI

[@shortesthandle]

@@IsaacDeLacus IKR? I think about it all the time!

[@hey_perez30]

She’s so real, christ ❤

[@goldjoinery]

is she? celebrityhood is full of farcicality. read comments on the society of the spectacle

[@jorb1903]

@@goldjoineryI mean you don’t have to quote Debord to know that. Of course there’s always a meta layer of inauthenticity, but her project is one of the first in pop to center around the artists relationship with stardom and the industry itself, which is something charli can actually talk about truthfully. Have you listened to the album?

[@samranda]

@@goldjoinery telling people to read debord is SO funny

[@nh7568]

Christ? As in Jesus?

[@ginginplehn17]

I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS .. neeeed a like 5 hour long interview

[@KYLETISZAI]

One hour is enough 😂

[@kingdodongo4126]

@@KYLETISZAIshut up

[@Peterrdee]

Who remembers the candy shop, I remember charli totally just being obsessed with pc music

[@kayiness]

Never watched a Charlie intvw until now after Brat. That part about using music as a tool to world build through her persona is very interesting. Also Billie does have a very cool aura and it seems natural. To have it figured out that young it's a gift.

[@LucDevine]

The transparency makes her feel so proximal. I've pretty much iced every celebrity I've ever met but you couldn't walk past this one without saying 'hey'.

[@FluentlyFletch]

Never read proximal in a sentence and I love it. I'm assuming it means, or is similar to, being 'close'- feeling like you're close to someone?

[@LucDevine]

@@FluentlyFletch your assumption is correct Fletch.

[@JmrDavies]

Pop music icon. The album 'Brat' is amazing.

[@NikkoTanGoogle]

To the artists in this comments section: you know this is goated. The layers to her artistry is so inspiring creatively.

[@alexacosta3655]

I feel like a girl watching Elvis interviews in the 50s, she's so iconic damn 😍 so happy she finally getting some flowers, cause imo she still deserves better

[@FluentlyFletch]

Great interviewer. She's very effortless in her questioning, doesn't make it about herself, has done her research and asked interesting follow up questions. Stellar job and great to hear more from Charli about the music itself. Love.

[@andresoropeza90]

Charli has genuine nice person vibes, she seems so cool and down to earth

[@d8w923]

new comfort vid just dropped

[@NikkoTanGoogle]

real

[@CerealKiller_theOtherOne]

14 is such an adorable mixtape. I love Charli's reaction when it's brought up 😁.

[@elisazouza]

i love herrrr

[@henryshomento1252]

I love her so much, everything she said was so intentional, im glad her answers were as long as they were🥹 “culture cannibalizing itself” was very eloquent

[@jmouay]

she’s so darling *♡｡*:˚☆

[@psundere9948]

Charli: LOVE bands

[@jeancarloboteon5349]

Finally!!!!!

[@CoryLiner]

this interview is incredible

[@gabrielesperanza]

True romance was one of the first actual records that stuck to me in 6th grade once I started developing my taste in music. Bummer everyone shat all over it

[@bayar_]

great interview especially the lil bits about sophie and cook. been listening since the true romance witch house days. brat is her best by far. i'm so happy she has become even better than the hifn album and her pcm mixtape era.

[@ShiniestMew]

Really always reaching for more and sounding amazing. Love her

[@miguel-mx1og]

love this british woman to death. the way she talks about her catalog is fascinating

[@TAUMAMUSIC]

Lloré cuando hablo de Sophie, lo hace con tanto amor y es maravilloso que conserve esos recuerdos ❤

[@suqadiqniwa]

De la manera q habla es como si siguiera juntándose a hacer música con ella 😢 mi cora

[@micha.mxaaaa]

She’s so real I love her

[@bexiexz]

shes so real for this one omg

[@Beauty_bydeborah]

She is so naturally beautiful, stunning. I'm loving the album!

[@sergiometc7246]

shes so perfeeeectttt , stay away always fav since the beginnnin

[@Ihavemadeit999]

6:42 this is how I learned english growing up in Finland and going to a Finnish school. I just said english slangs to look cooler and then ended up learning the whole language yrs later😭

[@deanowhitee7745]

love you charlie xcx new album is amazing

[@taylaswift4980]

Love love her

[@Hausofarcadia]

Im in love with her omg 😭😭😭😍

[@rhih6864]

I am beyond happy she caters to her own needs, taste, and wants when it comes to making music. Fuck what we think as fans make what you want bb!! Xx

[@franciscovalente5789]

god I love her so much

[@SheyselSanchez]

the way the interviewee seemed slightly irritated when she’d ramble 😭 like sis let her COOK

[@notrub225]

I wasn't getting that vibe at all. She clearly loves Charlie.

[@asnzkskos]

Army luuuvvvvs Charlie. The whole fandom adores the work she done with them. Hope they can collab together again

[@electricslights4101]

Love

[@M_dubb428]

When she said she’s so much more interested in building the persona, that is SUCH a Leo vibe 😅 ( I’m a Leo rising so I get it, but also am a Taurus sun so I can stand at the side lines also and make fun of Leo’s )

[@a2ad9c36]

MOMMY XCX

[@toughsell]

love her x10000000

[@melsyoutube]

the way this was recorded months ago but only got published 5 days ago is so strange 😩 but better late than never!

[@MoWilson-ym9kr]

ok I need to find le couteau jaune where can we stream kneepads!?!?

[@Alicegab300]

I couldn't find it either and I'm so curious to hear it

[@sporghell]

@@Alicegab300samee

[@8jazz8]

I wish we got to hear about how successful brat has been in context about the pendulum between pop and experimental (I didn’t realise until quite far into the video how old it is lol)

[@futnik20]

I JUST LOVE HER SO FUCKING MUCH

[@elisazouza]

CHARLIIIIII XCX

[@mikeywomack739]

She’s just like us fr

[@KellyVLucio]

She said my space lol😂 same

[@SquierMarr]

Amazing interview to really see into her head and her journey. I had been speculating about so much of it. I also find her incredibly relateable as cringe as that is to say theses days. Especially with the uncontrolled rambling haha. Incredibly valuable rambling. That guy who asked a totally generic question who clearly hadn't listened to the album tho hahahaha. I have so much second hand embarrassment for him.

[@hoetaru]

holy shit 14 mention

[@Maisara_br]

she is so funny

[@mohdshow]

I’m your number 1 yeah

[@MMMMLIBAD]

BRAT SUMMER ON REPEAT

[@thomasfm]

que hermosa mi Charlotte

[@Productofthetime]

Does anyone know where to find the bands she mentions in 8:10?

[@sneekz07]

Literally use Google.

[@mimimicamica]

46:37 omg lol

[@X_X666X]

“Happy von Dutch day?!” How old is the this interview held back and old?

[@Ludwiiika]

charli was on something

[@oggibhuhh]

🥨

[@TheSkinnyZ]

About to release? This is a laaaate upload then. 😂

[@KYLETISZAI]

Covered in poppers

[@calliemonroewatts3297]

I can’t believe interviewers like Alex Cooper get hype when genuinely talented interviewers exist. This was so interesting

[@CamilaSteele]

Does anyone know who made her dress?

[@CaffeineKilledTheCow]

vivienne westwood

[@lauracraig8110]

I think I see a tiny Vivienne Westwood logo near her boob, so possibly Vivienne Westwood?

[@lauracraig8110]

FOUND IT lmao - Vivienne Westwood Kate dress, but I have only found the black version

[@Ruth1e55ne55]

ADHD iconic kween

[@drummerAVA]

35:55… Charli x Fred again.. collab?? 👀👀

[@TomYeeha]

Boring question but how do all these people get visas to reside in LA

[@jaguarvssnake]

Artist visas? You have to provide proof of your work having a certain degree profile, letters of reference from other artists, etc. Probably not hard for her!

[@Peterrdee]

She could not take the 14 album LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@MoMAPS5]

MoMA PS5

[@ZakkdLarte-go2yi]

I'm curious why she said there were no features on brat, - had the Lorde collab not come about yet, I wonder?

[@emilyjane7027]

that version wasnt on the album

[@spike8683]

find this interviewer quite dismissive at times

[@heograpiyaph4238]

Nauuuuurrr 😂

[@MyBeautifulHealth]

Looks like Mila Kunis in the thumbnail..!

[@livingmini5259]

why is she dressed like that though, someone get her a stylist please!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@tooltechrecords]

Poor island

[@bens3767]

Keep drinking and smoking and feeding the machine.

[@NF-xy6br]

this ones for all the loser boyfriends

[@markferguson5061]

STOP ASKING QUESTIONS OTHER INTERVIEWS ASK!!!

[@johngorgis]

I don't get the hype

[@markferguson5061]

The interviewer is so slow and boring. Makes me sleepy!

[@FluentlyFletch]

Disagree

[@motochris11]

female version of Fred Again lol

[@goldjoinery]

"bleep bloop vibe"

[@cazzztle]

pls no Charli is much better

[@leonmichel675]

she's charli xcx and not some version of a man, come one

[@oodg7626]

No

[@TheSkinnyZ]

Oh, is she? She’s definitely been around longer than him, but I should probably check him out then.