There’s an undeniable electricity around Charley Young—a singer, songwriter, actress, and producer who’s redefining what it means to be an independent artist in today’s fast-paced music world. From charting internationally to bringing her vision to life in cinematic music videos, Charley proves that artistry is not a phase—it’s a lifelong pursuit.
In this exclusive interview with No Days Off Entertainment Magazine, Charley opens up about her creative evolution, the power of authenticity, and the passion that drives her to craft hits even when the industry’s noise becomes overwhelming. She’s not chasing trends—she’s creating timeless art that resonates with emotion, purpose, and fearless individuality.
The story unfolds naturally from Charley’s formative moments with her vocal coach to the introspection that fuels her songwriting. Each response reveals layers of depth: the discipline behind her craft, her unwavering authenticity, and the empowering duality of vulnerability and strength.
As she discusses everything from her love for femcees to her lyrical revelations in “Ghost of the Night,” readers can feel her passion vibrating between the lines. By the time she shares her dream collaborations—spanning Depeche Mode to Kylie Minogue—it’s clear Charley Young isn’t just another artist in the crowd. She’s an architect of her own soundscape, building a legacy brick by bold brick.
What’s a moment in your life that completely changed the way you approach music?
That’s a hard question to answer because so many little moments have shaped me along the way in terms of my musicianship. I will say that my voice coach, Bruce Eckstut, has had an immense impact on me and my sound. I started taking voice lessons from him in 2011, and it is incredible to hear the difference in my vocals from then compared to now. I could always sing, but he helped me find my authentic voice and a sense of ease when I sing. He also helped instill in me so many healthy vocal habits I use daily. I like to take songs I’m about to record and work on them with him because he helps me make sure I’m on point and isn’t afraid to offer suggestions on how to improve my vocal performance and sound.
When you’re alone, what kind of music do you listen to that might surprise your fans?
I LOVE femcees (female rappers) and classic jazz music. I love femcees because they are occupying a predominantly male space while spouting lyrics that assert their independence, confidence, and ability. I just love that! I also love classic jazz music – think what you would’ve heard in the 1920s and 1930s. I also really enjoy symphony orchestras.
Was there a time when you considered quitting music? What pulled you back in?
Absolutely. There are many days, I ask myself, “Is anyone even listening to my music? Why am I investing so much time, energy, and capital into something that’s inert? Would anybody care if I stopped creating and recording music?” When I find myself going into this spiral of negative thinking and self-doubt, I remember that I don’t do music to satisfy my own ego – I do it for the listeners who send me messages, telling me how a song of mine helped them through a difficult time in their life, or how it helped them realize they aren’t alone. I create music to help and serve others.
What’s a lyric you’ve written that still gives you chills—and why?
The lyrics from my song, “Ghost of the Night” with I SAW IT ON T.V. – “I’m turning through the pages in the annals of time/When they determined my fate my design/I will erase the line and define/What it is I accept or decline.” Those are just some of the lyrics from the song, but I really feel like I tapped into another dimension of songwriting when I penned those words. I’ve always been a writer – whether it be short stories, poetry, etc. – but this song is one of the first times I think I’ve really shown what I am capable of lyric-wise as a songwriter.
How do you handle the pressure to perform and stay relevant in such a fast-paced industry?
You have to put on blinders. There’s always a new trend, a new sound, a new gimmick, so to speak. It’s important to be true to your own artistry. I like being able to sleep at night, knowing I am staying true to myself, my values, and my beliefs. Fads come and go – art lives in perpetuity. It’s important to me that my name is associated with music and music videos that I can stand behind.
What’s one song you wish you wrote, and what would you have done differently with it?
I don’t know if there is a song I wish that I had written. I appreciate so many different songs, and there are quite a few that touch my heart. It’s funny because I consider a few songs “sacred” and uncoverable by other artists – It’s almost like blasphemy. “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode is one of those songs. There are other songs that I’d love to cover and plan to – I always try to put my own style into a song I cover while also trying to maintain the integrity of the songwriting by the original songwriter.
If your discography told a story, what would the plot be?
Young woman loses herself, speaks French, dates a lot of assholes, but in the end rises up to be the confident, empowered woman she was all along, endeavoring to help others find their own confidence and voice in a judgmental and harsh world.
How do you know when a song is “finished”? Or is it never really done?
I had a great professor at Dartmouth College who told me that writing is never finished; it is simply abandoned. Even though he wasn’t my favorite professor by far, he did impress this belief on me that I know and believe to be true. Songs can always be rewritten, reworked, and revised – You, as the artist, will probably never be 100 percent satisfied – That is the burden of the artist. I write songs, let them sit for a few days, practice with my voice coach, then record. I have changed lyrics during live shows before if I feel so inclined or to cater to a particular audience. Songs are living things, but you also need to be able to walk away and move on.
What’s one misconception people have about you as an artist?
I don’t know what misconception people may have, but I think it would be easy to think that I hate men or that I am perpetually heartbroken because I do have quite a few songs on that topic. I love men, have many male friends, and sure, I’ve been heartbroken, but I have moved on and left the past behind me. I also had some jerk on Instagram with an account meant to bash artists and their songs, saying I was like a cheap version of Kesha, Katy Perry, or Millionaires. News flash – I have no desire to be anyone but me, and if you want to know my biggest inspirations, they’re actually Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, Britney Spears, Aaliyah, and The Pretenders.
If you could create your dream collaboration—alive or not—who would it be and what would the song sound like?
I have a few collabs I’d love to create. Yet again, there might be a sort of dichotomy, with the one overarching commonality being that all of these artists really started making a name for themselves in the 1980s. I’d love to do a collab with Dave Gahan and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode with Alan Wilder producing (Alan Wilder is a musical genius, Martin Gore is an incredible songwriter, and Dave Gahan has one of my favorite voices ever). The song would be dark and brooding in a sense, with some elements of light in the instrumentation of the song. I’d love to collaborate with Robert Smith because, just like Dave Gahan, I adore his voice. It would also be moody like The Cure’s body of work. My last dream collab would be with Kylie Minogue – We would do an incredible song that starts serious and beautiful and blossoms into an energetic chorus full of hope.
Tell our readers where they can follow you, listen to your music, and watch your music videos.
If you visit my official website, mscharleyyoung.com, you will find the links to every streaming platform and social media site that I’m on! You can also Google me, “Charley Young” and I have a knowledge panel that will populate with my work. Thank you in advance for checking it out!
Charley Young reminds us that true artistry isn’t about validation—it’s about vision. Her story is one of reinvention, perseverance, and devotion to craft, and it’s exactly the kind of energy we celebrate here at No Days Off Entertainment Magazine.
Stay tuned, explore more rising and iconic voices shaping the future of sound, and discover why our readers never miss a beat. Follow Charley Young—and us—for more stories that inspire, ignite, and redefine creativity.
Follow Charley Young:
mscharleyyoung.com
Spotify: Listen Here
Instagram: @mscharleyyoung
TikTok: @mscharleyyoung
YouTube: Subscribe
Twitter: @mscharleyyoung
