Song River:
There is a heartbeat to what you create isn't there Charlie?
Charlie Parker: I think
there is whenever you create something . Whether music ,art or even food. You
put what you have inside of you and make it come out in your creation. I think
the strumming of the acoustic guitar when writing drives the song into what it
eventually becomes.
SR: Does
life feel like warm sunshine beaming down on your back? It would seem this
warmth translates to what you create musically.
Charlie Parker: You have
to take advantage of the life you have and try to make the most of it. I try to
put real life situations into the music. Whether it be mine or someone else.
People relate to the songs in their own way. That's a good thing. So some songs
mean things to them and I never meant it to. In my mind they have a totally
different meaning.
SR: You have
been on the road to music for a good while now. Do you recall that first guitar
your mom bought you? Do you still own it?
Charlie Parker: I think
she bought it from the local Mall record store. (Sam Goody) I think. Just a
very inexpensive acoustic but it was something to start on. I wish I still had
it. The first good guitar I bought I still have. I got it at a used music
store. 1981 Gibson Les Paul XR-1. Bought it with my own money (laughed).
SR: When do
you find those moments of lyrics/melody come to you most?
Charlie Parker: I have
found they come when you are sleeping, ready to fall asleep or just waking up.
It's annoying (laughed) because I have to get up and write it down. I will never
remember it if I go back to sleep. "Bring Back the Sun " happened
that way. I wrote it down, sang it into a recorder and finished it the next day
.
SR: What
part of the music feels most like you? Is it in the lyrics or in another part
of the process?
Charlie Parkerd: I think
the whole writing process. I usually sit with an acoustic guitar , strum the
chords and come up with a melody that fits. Then turn those humming sounds into
words that rhyme. I think if I forced
myself to do it nothing good would come of it. Just gotta let it happen.
SR: Your
sound seems to bridge some gaps. Somewhere between pop/indie/and the backroads.
Curious do you find yourself gravitating to certain note and chord structures
more often than others?
Charlie Parker: I think I
just go where the melody takes me. I have heard many bands locally try to force
a certain chord structure and it doesn't sound pleasant or natural. I have always been in the vein of a 70's pop
sound. It's just what comes out. I never
intended to sound like anyone. I have played many styles and eras of cover songs
over the years and the sound still stays the same.
SR: A debut
album must have a bag of mixed emotions come with it. How did you feel about
the overall process Charlie of creating 'Bring Back the Sun?'
Charlie Parker: This was
a long time coming. The songs were all written at different times over the
years. On a musician's salary I could only afford to record once in awhile. So
it wasn't a project that was set up to record all at once. I think overall it came out well. Some songs
are not my favorites but the majority are good. These days you don't hear a lot
of albums that have many hit songs. Lucky to get one single. I think there are
a handful of songs that you could hear on the radio. But I'm biased (laughed).
SR: Where
might we find you performing on any given night?
Charlie Parker: I'm in
the Baltimore and surrounding area. I play quite a bit. So if you look around
you can't miss me. Always check the website and I will be there.
WEBSITES
Bring Back the Sun- Charlie Parker