Charlie Imes

Blending elements of pop, jazz, folk, rock and a host of other musical styles (a little bossa nova here, some ragtime there), San Diego singer-songwriter Charlie Imes’s music is self-described as laid-back, jazzy, beach folk rock – sort of like James Taylor took a band of Steely Dan-worthy soloists down to Jimmy Buffett’s studio in Key West and having Michael Franks produce their album. The result is music as comfortable as your favorite T-shirt and shorts, and has had people talking ever since.

The youngest of six, Charlie grew up in the South Bay of Los Angeles, but has called San Diego home since 1984. He’s been writing and performing his songs for almost 30 years, but didn’t release an album until 2008. The obvious question is, “Why?”

“Well, honestly,” he says, “it was several things. I owned businesses that demanded all of my time, attention, and resources for a couple of decades. Deep down, I always wanted to record an album, but never seemed to have enough money or time … all of the usual trappings that go with holding down a ‘real’ job.”
With the dawning of a new century came a new perspective on life, and Charlie decided it was time to abandon the mentality of working just to survive, and instead, pursue a life doing what he really loved: writing and playing music.
In the summer of 2007, Charlie went into Miracle Studios in San Diego and began work on his first CD, On An Island, which he co-produced with SDMA-winning artist and producer, Jeff Berkley (Berkley Hart). The result was released in May 2008, and garnered a nomination for Best Americana or Country Album at the 2009 San Diego Music Awards. Mastered by multiple Grammy Award-winner Gavin Lurssen (“Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack; “Raising Sand” by Robert Plant & Alison Krause), On An Island captures life in the coastal towns of Southern California, and conjures up the carefree spirit of long, lazy summer days spent at the beach.? Since then, Charlie has steadily built his following both around Southern California and across the country. Primarily as a solo artist, he has performed at house concerts, bars & clubs in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and has cultivated lasting friendships and fan bases wherever he goes. Whether in large venues or small, his easy-going manner and quick wit give his shows an intimacy that feels like he’s playing for friends around a campfire or out on the deck.

Charlie has also assembled an impressive backing band of all-star musicians known affectionately as The Hodad Surf Club. The name is derived from the Frankie & Annette movies of the 1960’s, where a hodad was someone who hung out at the beach with the surfers, but didn’t surf. It seemed an apt metaphor because none of the band members who play his beachy, feel-good music so well, live at the beach. Charlie Imes and the Hodad Surf Club can be found performing at clubs and beaches around San Diego and Los Angeles counties, and are exploring opportunities to bring the band to other cities as well.

In addition to playing music, Charlie has also made a name for himself as the producer and promoter of the Oasis House Concerts, an intimate music venue in San Diego that has built an impressive reputation for presenting singer/songwriters and musical artists of the highest caliber. OHC alumni include Steve Poltz, Michelle Shocked, Peter Case, A.J. Croce, Jack Tempchin, Laurence Juber, Maia Sharp, Keith Sykes, Candye Kane, Eric Taylor, Berkley Hart, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Chris Trapper and many more. The Oasis is currently in hiatus due to a lost lease, but plans are in the works to reopen at a new venue, even bigger and better than before.

“My songs are about many different things and borrow from many different styles, but there’s an unmistakeable lighthearted vibe that runs through my music. I’m not discovering the great lost chord here. I just like to play music that lifts your mood and makes you feel good. It’s sunny weather for your ears, and who couldn’t use a little more of that?”

On An Island is available at www.CDBaby.com/cd/CharlieImes, iTunes, Rhapsody and most on-line music sources.