Charlene

Singer with Sparkle!

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177 Reviews (168 Verified)
Charlene on SoundBetter

I want to add feeling and performance to your project and make it sparkle! This is my full-time profession for years and I do it well. Singing in the studio is different than live singing! I'm experienced and know how to bring a song alive in a recording. *I WILL DO MY BEST TO WORK WITH YOUR BUDGET.*

I'm Charlene. I've been working for years in top sessions in NYC. I sang backup for M.I.A., performed for Carla Bruni and sang on demos for William Orbit for Madonna's MDNA record. I sang on the New York Knick's anthem, and on an international Smirnoff commercial, a cover of Kiss's "Crazy Nights" and more.

I love what I do and making your project come to life! I take direction well and want you to be happy with what you get. I provide a fast turn around because this is my full time job!

I'm good at bringing a performance to a song. I also do harmony arrangements well. I have lots of experience singing jingles and even kids music. See links below to listen to various reels.

Acapella samples from my recording set up: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/acapella-examples/s-15TBM

Topline: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/topline-writing/s-1ZBFQ

Jingles/Commercials: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/jingle-reel-charlene/s-jxju2

"Sound-a-likes", me sounding like famous pop singers: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/soundalike-songs/s-GHwip

Voiceovers: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/

Harmonies/Backup Vocals: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/background-vocals/s-pedps

MORE SOUND SAMPLES -SCROLL DOWN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PAGE UNDER "MORE SAMPLES"
*Features are non-credited

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Languages

  • Arabic
  • English
  • Italian

177 Reviews - 43 Repeat Clients

Endorse Charlene
  1. Review by Steve D.
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    No words for how wonderful it is to work with Charlene. I LOVE how she works so hard to understand the character behind the words and melodies and the endless ways she brings that person to life in the song with her performances. And while she brings wonderful creative ideas, she is first and foremost a highly experienced pro who nails the vision and what I'm hearing in my head. Then maybe some fun ideas after that...which are always great.

    Thank you, Charlene! You're the best!

  2. Review by Chris Tschuggnall
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    This was the second collaboration with Charlene and it was really wonderful working with her again. She put so much depth and meaning into the recordings - highly recommended :)

  3. Review by Steve Duesbury
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    No words. Just a wonderful partner. This was a tricky song...lots of talk/sing...personality and performance had to be right for it to work. And Charlene nailed it. In addition to her marvelous voice, she sang to the vocal demo while also bringing the vocals to life in ways I hadn't imagined. Super professional...super patient with a novice like me. Already starting another project with her. Charlene is just the best!

  4. Review by Matt G.
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    Charlene has a wonderful and versatile voice and delivered exactly what I was looking for.

  5. Review by Spencer S.
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    Charlene's voice is mystical and words are clever. Lyrics have deep meaning and tell a story. Provided more than I asked for, and a pleasure to work with.

  6. Review by Shaun H.
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    Charlene is amazing and if you're reading this just hire her. What are you waiting for. What - do you want me to say stuff like about timbre and warmness in sound? Come on lol - You're just looking for a review to know if she's good. She's better than good. SHE IS EXCELLENT AND AMAZING.

    So go do it already before I do and you never get the chance.

  7. Review by Shaun H.
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    Charlene is great and I loved working with her. Thanks review box!

  8. Review by Rolando T.
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    Charlene was a pleasure to work with and completed the project in a professional and timely fashion.

  9. Review by Brad C.
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    I'm a repeat customer of Charlene's as she is such a huge talent! She does great work and can really get in and bring such a great character to a vocal and feel what the song needs. Great stuff as always!

  10. Review by Brad C.
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    Charlene knew exactly what I was looking for vocally and delivered everything I was asking for for files! Very easy to work with and great communication. Will use again, thanks!

  11. Review by John D.
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    Charlene delivered an amazing vocal track that has given my song a quantum boost!!
    Everything about it is spot on!

  12. Review by Keith Kofron
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    Charlene does great work. I am so happy with the vocals she did for me.

  13. Review by Noah L.
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    Working with Charlene was a great process. She really pays attention to detail and delivered exactly what was needed.

  14. Review by Tim C.
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    by Tim C.
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    Charlene has become a definite "go-to" for me. Love her indie-cool voice and have used her for BGVs and duet-style leads, with fantatastic results. Great collaborator and communicator. And just a nice human being to make music with. Have used Charlene on probably 5 or 6 songs at this point. Can't give a more ringing endorsement than that!

  15. Review by chris a.
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    It was great to use Charlene again after some time going by since the last session. Just as I remembered, she is a great singer, very open to try things, make corrections, contributes good ideas, dynamite ad libs. Thank you.

  16. Review by ALIENOR_ELECTRO
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    Charlène est un vecteur de sensibilité.

    Sa voix est douce et suffisante.

    Elle a habilement respecté les consignes.

    Je vous recommande ses services !

    Merci Charlène

  17. Review by David H.
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    So stoked to have found Charlene! Her voice is gorgeous & was absolutely perfect for the vibe I was going for. I won’t hesitate to work with her again!

  18. Review by Szymon Weiss
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    Thank you for the commission.
    It was a pleasure mixing Charlene's song.
    Vocal tracks are recorded amazingly well, and in case of necessary fixes, Charlene is open to suggestions.
    Obviously great singing skill and talent.

    Thank you again

  19. Review by T.h. K.
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    Great voice, professional flair. Highly recommended.

  20. Review by T.h. K.
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    She has a charming voice. Fast delivery and high musical understanding.
    Strongly recommended.

Interview with Charlene

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: I'm working on my own album at the moment. And lots of demos, backup vocal jobs and topline gigs here on Soundbetter.

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: I'm an old soul at heart so I wish the whole world was in analog. But digital makes things go easier and connects us all. So I guess I'm for both.

  5. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  6. A: You will like the results very much. That's my goal.

  7. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  8. A: I usually ask about the direction and vision they have for the track to see how I can fit into that and to determine if I am the right one to bring your project to life. I do not blindly say yes to every job that comes my way. Music is about doing the best possible for the project, not about making money.

  9. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  10. A: I have been doing this over 15 years! And I love it. It never gets old for me. This is my true profession and the only work I do for a living.

  11. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  12. A: Radiohead! I have been a big fan for years. They are unique and every record they put out has a concept to it that is strange and amazing. I like experimental artists.

  13. Q: What's your typical work process?

  14. A: I listen first to any references you send. This is key! Listening is important, to understand the vibe you want, your direction and what you are looking for. I always do this before recording any project. I like to know about what you want to achieve, what the feeling of the song is. I look at the lyrics and their meaning. I take all this into account before recording anything. I also rehearse a bit before I record. For some songs I find it best to rehearse and learn it and then record it on a different day. There is something good about that "sink in" time that some projects need.

  15. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  16. A: I recently did a topline for a song for a producer in London. I was really proud of how it turned out because we gave each other space and freedom to do what we feel and the result was fresh and creative. That's how music should be.

  17. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  18. A: You can hear acapella samples from my set up right here: https://soundcloud.com/really-good-vocals/sets/acapella-examples/s-15TBM

  19. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  20. A: LISTEN. Understand the project you are working on before you record a thing. That's the strongest thing that can be done for any music production.

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: I would say it's always emotion driven no matter what genre I'm working on. I like to feel my way through any song I'm singing. A song is a monologue and all singers should learn the craft of acting because the song must be felt and lived through the whole way.

  23. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  24. A: I work on all types of pop and rock songs. I sing a lot of jingles too.

  25. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  26. A: Performing the song as I said, but I'm also very good with arranging harmonies. I do it most often in a spontaneous way, going with my gut and how I feel.

  27. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  28. A: That I get to bring your song to life! I like to hear a rough demo or guide vocal and transform it. I really never tire of putting headphones on and getting in front of the mic. I like the way different songs bring out different emotions and expressions to work with.

  29. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  30. A: That any good singer can record a song for you. Live singing and studio singing are very different! It's a completely different skill and through much experience it can be done effectively.

  31. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  32. A: Have everything prepared and know what you want. Make sure you have a scratch vocal as a guide and a track that is well quantized so I can sing to it. Also, know your BPM and make sure you tell me that info too. Dig through references and tell me what you envision.

  33. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  34. A: Yes! I have some friends on SoundBetter! If I'm not suitable for the job,I can willingly recommend someone who is.

  35. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  36. A: A microphone and a big amplifier and an electric guitar and a loop pedal and a notebook/pen. And yes, a notebook/pen is a piece gear and a very important piece of gear! Writing lyrics and just writing any stream of consciousness is important in any creative process.

  37. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  38. A: Performance, emotion. This is a very important ingredient that a lot recording artists forget about. It's not just about the technical skill, it's about bringing the meaning of the song alive. Because I've sung so much in the studio, I really have a knack for bringing a song alive on tape. I also work as an actor, so to me a song is a monologue, it has an expression and purpose. It must be connected to something real inside in order for the emotion to come across authentically.

  39. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  40. A: I'm most inspired by independent artists who go their own way, who write music with a message that is connected to something inside them. Music is expression and should be entirely original. I'm into underground artists with grit and feel. I prefer this to overly polished commercial styles.

  41. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  42. A: I sing on a lot of pop and rock song demos. I also do a lot of jingle and commercial work. I understand the difference of singing those things, it's not the same approach. I'm also really skilled in harmony arrangements. Another major area I work in is kid's music which requires another vocal tone too. :-)

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"Cruel" Edgy Sparkly!

I was the Singer and Topline (Melody and Lyrics) in this production


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    "Cruel" Edgy Sparkly!
  2. play_arrow
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    "To the Moon" - Jingle for Fosters Grant (featuring Brooke Shields) - Happy Sparkly!
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    "You Are a Star" Sparkly Super Pop!
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    "I Got the Wheel" Sparkly Ambient.
Terms Of Service

I require a full vocal guide in order to learn/record your song.
Revisions in a reasonable time-frame included.
Work is remote, no video.
Features must be agreed with contract & only use my Alias.

GenresSounds Like
  • Portishead
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Billie Eilish
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

I will work with your budget. Contact me.

  • My writing work - melodies and lyrics to client's tracks (click link to listen)Feb 11, 2020

    Topline Writing Work

  • Me singing harmony arrangements I also created (click on link)Jun 29, 2019

    Harmonies/Backup Vocals

  • Me doing Voiceovers, click here:Jun 24, 2019

    Voiceovers/Spoken

  • Me singing on jingles/commercials. Click here:Jun 24, 2019

    Commercials/Jingles

  • Me sounding like different pop artists, click to listen here:Jun 21, 2019

    Sound-a-likes

  • Click here to listen to my Kid's Music ReelJun 21, 2019

    Kid's Music Reel

  • ACAPELLA examples from my home recording set up. :-)Jun 21, 2019

    Acapella Reel