A Chat With Charlie Turner (22.01.25)
Charlie Turner is making waves with a genre-defying blend of jazz, rock, and punk, his sound hits like a sonic rollercoaster: thrilling, unpredictable, and utterly unforgettable. His 2024 debut EP, Debut, introduced fans to his raw, introspective storytelling, while breakout singles like ‘HOIME’ have cemented his place as one of London’s most exciting rising artists. Whether he’s shredding on stage with his killer live band or pushing creative boundaries in the studio, Turner is all about keeping it honest, loud, and deeply human. Dive into our interview with the man himself as we talk about influences, live gigs, and what’s next for this unstoppable force in modern music.
OSR: What inspired the title of your new single ‘Mrs Other’? Is there a story behind the name?
Turner: The title’s a reference to various female figures in my life and how my closeness with them has changed over time.
OSR: You’ve described ‘Mrs Other’ as an evolution of a riff you initially wrote during a difficult period. How did that initial groove grow into the full song it is today?
Turner: Having fun with it at jams was encouraging. It was also something I was able to play easily enough when idly picking up a guitar, so when you sit down and decide to write you naturally gravitate towards ideas that you play often or that come to you fluidly. I don’t really like it when I repeat things too much within a tune so sticking the other sections in came after.
OSR: The song reflects on growing older and navigating life after university. How do you approach turning deeply personal experiences into lyrics and music?
Turner: I really struggle writing lyrics. I tend to stare at my notepad for a long time while trying to think of words that don’t reduce my meaning too much. Eventually, I find something that rhymes.
OSR: Your music blends jazz, rock, and punk influences. How did you develop this unique sound, and what drew you to these genres?
Turner: I grew up listening to a lot of math rock, post-hardcore and metalcore and then sort of convinced myself I didn’t like these genres when I went to uni. I got a lot more into the South London jazz scene with all the breakbeat drumming and rave scene influences around that time. I got back into all the rocky stuff before too long though and that mix is what I think comes out in the playing.
OSR: Your debut EP, Debut, received critical acclaim and featured collaborations with artists like Basile Petite and Pyjæn. How do collaborations shape your creative process?
Turner: I know a lot of musicians who know a lot more about music than me, so I’m very lucky that they’re able to help me out with so much. Especially with playing live: my band’s great.
OSR: You’ve performed at iconic London venues such as CLF Art Lounge and Notting Hill Arts Club. How has the London music scene influenced your artistry?
Turner: London has the best scene in the UK, and I would probably say it has the coolest approach to jazz in the world. I say that as someone not from here originally, so I don’t think I’m too biased. Going to watch bands at all the tiny indie jams as well as bigger venues like Village Underground is sick, I’m very lucky to have such access.
OSR: Your single ‘HOIME’ was featured on BBC Introducing London. How has that recognition impacted your career and your confidence as an artist?
Turner: It was really cool getting the email saying that ‘HOIME’ was getting airplay. Naturally, I posted about it and the response I got was what made me realise that it was actually a pretty cool thing. Definitely a vote of confidence, I hope I get played again, fingers crossed.
OSR: What can audiences expect from your live performances? How do you and your band bring your songs to life on stage?
Turner: First of all, all of my songs (other than ‘Mrs Other’ oddly enough) have been written for ages and have been part of the live set for a while. We don’t play any of them as you hear them on the records though. While I actually think it could be a misnomer to call my music jazz, the live set is definitely much more of that colour and we make sure to fill it with a decent amount of solos and bouncing off each other. We don’t just play the tunes front to back.
OSR: You’ve mentioned plans to release more singles and a longer-form EP in the near future. Can you share any details about the themes or directions you’re exploring in your upcoming work?
Turner: I’ve been sitting on a track I wrote with my old flatmate for about three or four years now and I haven’t been able to release it because of it not quite matching thematically with the rest of what I’ve wanted to put out, even though it’s a banger. I’ve written a couple of other tunes in its style with Basile that we actually just recorded and so I want to get the group of them out as an EP by the summer.
OSR: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to find their voice and stand out in a competitive scene like London’s?
Turner: In light of what I’ve said already, I’d say not to disregard the influences you had when you were first working out what you liked. Staying true to these is what will make you authentic and finding a way of mixing those influences together through your own life experiences is the best way, I think, to create something new.
Many thanks to Charlie Turner for speaking with us! For more about Charlie Turner, check out his Instagram and Spotify.
