Bournemouth-born singer songwriter Charlie Hole is very grounded. Considering that he’s been hailed by the likes of Rod Stewart, who opined he was destined for great things, and three time Ivor Novello winning songwriter Andy Hill, who declared his astonishment at the sheer quality and maturity of his songs, this seems surprising. But 22 year old Charlie Hole takes it all in his stride.
Charlie has  been writing since he was only 11, and playing his music across the UK, nurturing his talents, allowing him to grow and mature as an artist. Perhaps this is why he’s able to stay true to himself, and not let things go to his head. A chance meeting with record producer Jim Cregan, who’s worked with Katie Melua, and the aforementioned Rod Stewart, led Charlie to a series of recordings at Jim’s studio. Over the next year, working on weekends and school holidays, they recorded an album of Charlie’s original songs, ‘The Joy Of A Caged Bird’. When he was 18, Charlie secured a publishing deal with Rondor/Universal. Yes. At 18.
Charlie isn’t in it for fame or fortune however. His aim is simply to be respected as a songwriter and to be able to perform his songs live. He has a rare gift for lyrics, and takes his inspiration from legends such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, and Randy Newman.
Charlie’s new EP, ‘Dirty Little Secret’, is set to launch at The Garage, London, on 1 March, followed by a UK tour with Callaghan. The title track of the EP was inspired by recent heavyweight political news about ‘whistleblowing’ and the individual’s internal struggle to do what is morally right in a heated and secretive political climate. Charlie says,
…the song was inspired by people like Ed Snowden and Julian Assange, who have both given up profound personal freedoms in pursuit of the truth. One of the important questions of our time is how much of our civil liberties we are willing to give up in return for our safety. The Dirty Little Secret is that they’re already being taken from us…
Watch the video for ‘Dirty Little Secret’:
Catch Charlie Hole at the following:
Tues. 1 March, London, The Garage (Dirty Little Secret Launch event)
March Tour Dates With Callaghan:
Thu, 3 UK, Derby, The Venue
Sat, 5 UK, York, The BasementÂ
Wed, 9 UK, Edinburgh, The Voodoo Room
Thu, 10 UK, Manchester, Fallow Cafe
Fri, 11 UK, Totnes, South Devon Arts Centre
Mon, 14 UK, Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge
Wed, 16 UK, London, The ForgeÂ
Fri, 18 UK, Ramsgate, Ramsgate Music Hall
Sat, 19 UK, North Lincolnshire, Kirton in Lindsey Town Hall
Find Charlie Hole online on his official Website, Facebook and Twitter.
