The music industry really is a strange and wonderful place at times. Every artist, writer, creator and soul barer has their own very specific idea about what constitutes as success.
Some may dream of fortune and fame whereas some are simply looking for an outlet for their creativity and to share their passion with as many people as possible. Wherever motivations lie at heart, meeting the right people at the right time is key to enabling an artist to fulfil their ambitions. So, when Bournemouth born singer/songwriter Charlie Hole encountered a chance meeting with record producer Jim Cregan (Rod Stewart, Katie Melua) it was an opportunity that had to be grasped. Charlie set to work with Jim, still only a teenager at the time, he worked several recording sessions around school, recording mainly weekends and holidays. Steadily Jim and Charlie amassed an albums worth of material which was entitled ‘The Joy Of A Caged Bird’.
Now at age twenty two Charlie is set to release a five track EP entitled ‘Dirty Little Secret’. It is due for release on the 30th October and has built up some high profile public support from the likes of Rod Stewart as well as three time Ivor-Novello award winning songwriter Andy Hill. The writing behind the EP has been inspired by love, life, beauty and politics, with songs like ‘Unlit Flame’ and ‘Animal’ falling into the love and relationship category, ‘The Chapel of Unrest’ questioning religious moral superiority in the wake of many child abuse scandals and, the title track, ‘Dirty Little Secret’ referring to people like Ed Snowden and Julian Assange and them giving up personal freedoms in the pursuit of the truth. Deconstruction of the song’s meaning and inspiration gives an impressive depth and quality to otherwise expected and ordinary, albeit very well produced, musical arrangements. Nothing, musically at least, strays too far from the norm but it is the quality of the writing and indeed the depth and quality of the production and recording that gives Charlie Hole a very interesting and credible five track EP. Definitely an artist worth checking out.
For more info on Charlie Hole, to check live dates and to purchase his EP on the 30th October 2015 check out the following links: