Forever35 Episode 391: Just Try Stuff with Charlene Kaye
Mar 2, 2026
Charlene Kaye, musician and comedian known for viral musical-comedy videos and live shows. She recounts her path from stealing a sister’s guitar to analyzing pop songwriting. She talks bridges in pop songs, viral cover moments, her all-woman Radiohead cover band Labiahead, and practical creative advice like trying things and practicing daily.
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ASMR As A Nightly Reset
- Charlene Kaye uses ASMR nightly to reset her nervous system and feel cared for through calming voices and hand movements.
- Her specific trigger is “caring friend tells you it’s going to be okay” makeup ASMR videos that create a maternal soothing effect.
Guitar Started From Stealing A Sister's Instrument
- Charlene learned guitar by stealing her sister's instrument and teaching herself from tabs on UltimateGuitar.
- Sibling rivalry pushed her into guitar while her sister pivoted to film, illustrating how competition created distinct creative paths.
Why Bridges Make Pop Songs So Memorable
- Charlene explains a bridge's role: it breaks song structure to heighten emotion and reinforce the chorus's thesis.
- She links this to 90s/00s pop mechanics where bridges create a big, escapist surge that makes songs memorable.
