OurStage Snapshot: Charisse

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Sounds Like: Annie Lennox, Ani DiFranco

The Story: At age 19, Charisse left home to follow her dreams all the way to New York City's Lower East Side with nothing but a suitcase and a guitar. Her presence and songwriting talent soon brought offers of pop stardom, but Charisse opted to keep her artistic integrity intact, unwilling to trade her mature musical catalog for something of lesser substance. Eventually she caught the attention of producers Jack Daley and Steven Wolf (Lenny Kravitz, Joss Stone, Annie Lennox) who helped the aspiring songstress produce an EP entitled 'Pleasure Victim.' Within a month of joining OurStage, Charisse's song 'Red Handed' reached the No. 5 spot in the Indie Pop category, and another, 'Can't Tear Us Down,' made its way to No. 1 on CMJ.


Free Download: 'Bohemians' (MP3)


Why do you think you are doing well on OurStage?
People recognize good music when they hear it, along with good production and some professional photos.

What's your coolest moment with a fan?
Realizing I had one -- then realizing I had more than one. Yay for fans.

What do you think the internet has done to change music?
Technology in general has changed music by making it so easy to record. Anyone can be an "artist" (damn autotune). The internet is changing the actual industry, in my opinion, for the better, and has made the music itself completely accessible in every way, which is convenient for both artists and listeners. The way I see it, the internet is its own instant revolution and music is at the forefront, kickin' ass like Chuck Norris.

Who is your hero?
Any one of those athletes you hear about who lose a body part, and then recover and continue to ski or surf with a plastic leg or whatever. I'm proud of them.

What is your biggest fear?
Going deaf.

If you could open for anyone, who would it be?
David Bowie.