By Jae-Ha Kim
Los Angeles Times
August 21, 2018
Singer-songwriter Charli XCX (“5 in the Morning”) is earning rave reviews as Taylor Swift’s opening act. The English star also is a headliner at W Hollywood’s Wake Up Call music festival. Born Charlotte Emma Aitchison, she spends so much of her life on the road that she has a fool-proof plan for dealing with dateline changes: “Party through the jet lag. Or, if you’re not up to that, enjoy a spa day as soon as you get there and really let your body bounce back so you can make the most out of your trip.” Charli XCX stays in touch with her fans via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.
Q. You and Camila Cabello are Taylor Swift’s opening act on her “Reputation” tour. How has that experience been?
A. Touring with Taylor is totally awesome. She really makes everyone feel like one big family. I knew her a little bit before this tour and I also knew Camila pretty well, because we’ve been in the studio together, so it just felt really natural and easy from the start. It’s always great to tour with people who you love and respect and I really do love and respect both of them. Both are such talented writers, performers and artists.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. I was lucky to be able to travel a lot as a child, but the ultimate memory was meeting Minnie Mouse at (Walt) Disney World in Orlando. I was probably about five. I remember I just grabbed onto her leg and wouldn’t let her go. My parents had to drag me away. It was a real scene.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I really love being in Stockholm, particularly in the summer. There’s something really special about Swedish summers. People go wild for it. In Asia, I particularly love Seoul and Tokyo. Both are such different cities, but are similar in their killer party culture. Some of the best parties I’ve been to have been late night in Seoul. It really goes off there! Plus, I really love both Korean and Japanese food.
Q. What would you recommend tourists do during their visit?
A. In Stockholm, definitely head to Sodermalm, which is the young, hip area. There are some really good bars and restaurants around there. In Seoul, you have to go to this party (at a club) called Soap. It’s hands down the best party in town and it’s always a wild time. Plus, late-night Korean barbecue is always the right decision.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I live part time in Los Angeles, so it’s easy to get away for the weekend. There are so many amazing options all within such a close distance. I really love Palm Springs. I’m obsessed with mid-century modern architecture and furniture, so Palm Springs is basically my heaven on earth! I also love going to Joshua Tree to get out and about in nature and climb some rocks with friends. All the landscapes out there are mind blowing.
Q. You’re doing the L.A. portion of the Wake Up Call tour, which is also being held in Barcelona and Bali. Have you traveled to either of those places?
A. I’ve never been to Barcelona, but I would really love to go. A lot of my friends were there recently for another festival. It seems like a really cool place with incredible architecture and stuff. Bali, on the other hand, was a New Year’s trip for me. I was performing, but we turned it into a holiday situation. It was so beautiful — waterfalls, beaches and amazing greenery. It made me really appreciate the wonders of nature.
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
A. Really, any time I’m away with my friends. Mix that in with performing, too, and it’s really brilliant. I love being able to go to any city in any country with a load of great creatives, put on a bad–s show and then hang a bit afterward and experience the city. I did a show recently in New York with a load of amazing friends and artists. We partied until 5 a.m. in this open-air rooftop bar called The Moxy, and then had Korean barbecue at 6 a.m. It was really a 24-hour New York minute!
Q. What are some of your favorite cities?
A. In no particular order, because they’re all so different: L.A., Stockholm, Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, London.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Jamaica! It looks absolutely beautiful. I’m waiting to go at the right time with the right people. I want to get totally lost there, but I’m also dying to record music out there as well. I have a lot of friends who go out there to make records and they all say it’s such a special and fun experience.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. When it comes to being on a plane, always a huge bottle of water and an eye mask. I really need it to be dark to sleep. Once I’ve landed, I just need my phone, phone charger, disposable camera and friends. If I have those, I’m all set to have a good time.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. I think Jamaica really is my dream trip. If I had to pick another one, I would really love to take a trip to Mexico. I would wake up on a beach every morning and then go exploring. It seems like there are many more interesting options in Mexico.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. Room service! I can’t resist!
Q. You’ll be performing at the W Hollywood. When you travel, what are some things you find comfort in when you stay in hotels?
A. Honestly, I really love the alone time. I like that you can just sort of shut off and go into your own world for a while. It’s like a little personal sanctuary.
Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A. I love Dishoom, an Indian restaurant in London. I go to their restaurant in Shoreditch a lot with my Mum. She’s Indian and is really picky about “good Indian food” but it gets the thumbs up from her. I also love Crackbird in Dublin for fried chicken. In L.A., I live for the Oaks Gourmet for a quick bite and also love Matsuhisa for a more upscale sushi moment.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. I remember when I was on tour a few years ago, I spent a few days in Tulsa. It’s surprisingly cool! They have this diner called Dilly’s Diner, which was adorable. And then right down the road is a huge adult sex store, which was a funny end to the trip.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. I’ve actually never really gone away for Christmas. My Mum is all about keeping the family together and being at home. Sometimes we will go down to Brighton, which is right by the sea, to see family.
© 2018 JAE-HA KIM
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