So, Charlie Baxter, who are you?
I’m a one-man electro-hippity-hoppity-popitty-rock band… or something like that! I sing, play guitars and keyboards and do all my own production, and have been actively performing as a solo act for around four years. I’m from Charlton Kings in Cheltenham, went to the University of Gloucestershire and have been here ever since.
Four years is a long time. How far have you come since starting out?
I’ve just released my second full-length album, Bass, Beats and Broken Strings on my own record label, Pink Shoe Records, which is available on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp and Spotify now.
I also released my debut album, Girls, Guitars and Glowsticks in 2010, and a single, ‘Charlie Baxter’s In My House’, two music videos and live EP in-between.
So you’re fairly established then. Who would you say are your main musical influences?
I’m influenced by everything as I listen to all sorts of music, from the cheesiest pop to the heaviest rock. When I started this act I was hugely inspired by the nu-rave, indie disco scene and bands such as Klaxons and Hadouken. In more recent times I’ve been adding some dubstep sounds to my music.
Who goes to your gigs?
Really nice people! I seem to attract a very mixed audience, from student types who like the club vibe of my songs, right up to the older generation who appreciate the musicianship involved in playing everything on my own.
What’s your favourite music venue to play in Gloucestershire?
I’ve had so many great gigs in Gloucestershire that I couldn’t just pick one venue. But some of my favourites include The Frog & Fiddle, St Pauls Tavern and Café Rene.
Where would you most like to play locally?
Wychwood Festival is always great. I played there last year and would love to go back. I’m hoping that my band, Oui Legionnaires, will win the public vote to play the BBC Introducing stage this year, fingers crossed!
And what’s your favourite local festival and/or bands?
Frogfest would be the best local gig – it’s always the highlight of the local music calendar for me. I think the Gloucestershire scene has so much talent, with some of my favourites being The Me! Me! Me’s?, I The Lion, and (although they’re Oxford-based) Deer Chicago.
Who would you most like to support?
Klaxons would be pretty amazing.
What do you do when you’re not being Charlie Baxter?
I book gigs, produce remixes, DJ and play in two bands, Last Night’s Victory and Oui Legionnaires.
Have you ever thrown a TV out of a hotel window? Would you like to?
No… and not really. Slightly comical electro pop doesn’t make enough money to pay for such frivolities!
Ever had a groupie stalk you?
No, my fans are all lovely and not stalker-like at all.
Can you recommend one album to our readers you don’t think they will have discovered?
Elle Milano’s Acres Of Dead Space Cadets. They were a three-piece alternative rock band from Brighton who sadly split in 2008.
Any claims to fame?
I can’t walk into The Frog and Fiddle these days without someone shouting, ‘Charlie Baxter’s in my house’!
What advice would you give to local artists trying to make it in the industry?
Write good songs, play the best shows you can – but don’t over-gig, as there’s no point playing to the same five people every week – and make sure you have the appropriate online presence. Or just write a silly self-referencing song about being in someone’s house… it seemed to have worked for me.
Where can fans see you perform in the next month or two?
My next local solo gig is on Thursday 12 April 2012 at The Registry in Gloucester. I’m also appearing at this year’s Cheltenham Poetry Festival, on Sunday 22 April 2012, Renegade Festival at Café Rene on Saturday 26 May 2012, and Lechlade Festival on Sunday 27 May 2012. I can’t wait – it’s a big year for me.
And finally, where can SoGlos.com readers expect to see you in a year’s time?
Hopefully playing bigger music on bigger stages to bigger audiences!
By Shelly Elcock
© SoGlos
Wednesday 04 April 2012
