British-born Sydney indie musician, singer-songwriter Charlie Gradon has delivered a devastatingly beautiful rock ballad titled 'Black & White', which deserves to be mentioned amongst the best Australian releases of 2022.
Angular, aggressive alt rock soaked in bruised, brooding emotional feels bursting with a realness that cuts through right to the soul, 'Black & White' is a song with universal themes that'll resonated long after the final chords fall silent."The song is about witnessing the breakdown of a relationship and realising that not everything is black and white. There is a lot of truth in the grey areas," shares Gradon.
"When approaching this song, I wanted to make something that felt visceral and reactionary, but still be able to twist the narrative towards the end. When I'm on stage singing this song, I feel like the strongest person in the whole universe."
Recorded by Gradon and his band out of Liam Judson's Sonic Funhouse in the Blue Mountains back in April 2021, 'Black & White' will also feature on Gradon's debut album 'Colours Of My Daydream' that's due 'sometime in 2023'.
"'Black & White' is the climax to side A of the record to come. It's a scream into the void, that I perhaps should have kept to myself. It's a fire alarm going off in your head that you can't figure out how to turn off. Also on the surface, it's just a fun song."
In its final form, 'Black & White' comes wrapped up in the dynamism of a group of musicians who are very much in sync – their artistry elevates the key sounds that sit at the core of Charlie's songwriting style.
"I think we ended up using the first take of the session. I'll never forget Liam Judson (engineer) swearing loudly seconds after we finished, declaring we had it!"
With two previous EPs to his credit – 2018's 'Self Doubt' and 2020's 'Blurry Lines' – Charlie is also a songwriter for other musicians and is signed to Goldmans Publishing. He has co-write credits with Julia Stone, Pacific Avenue, DZ Deathrays, The Rions and others.
Although still a relatively young songwriter, Gradon's influences have contributed to a back catalogue that reaches into indie folk and alt country territory as well as balancing between alt rock and dream pop tones.
So who are the artists/ bands who have influenced his own style of songwriting? "I didn't have much of a musical upbringing, so I've only really just gone through my Beatles phase. Delving into each member's style, I'd say I want to be a George, but I'm definitely a Paul.
"I'm all about the chaotic artistic process and letting it flow when it needs too. So people like Andy Shauf, Daniel Johnston, Aldous Harding [have influenced me].
"I often get obsessed with my own demos as well which can turn into full blown demo-itis if you're not careful.
"I've been finding a lot of new influences through what listeners think I listen to. I've had comparisons drawn with My Morning Jacket and Elliot Smith, although I've only just come across them now, and I'm loving it."
Charlie Gradon 2023 Tour Dates
Fri 17 Feb - The Vanguard (Sydney)Sat 25 Feb - Shotkickers (Melbourne)
