Charlie Smith
Bio
I'm new to this but hey I'm giving it ago. I sing and play guitar. I'm here to share a few bits of info I learn along my journey
https://linktr.ee/CharlieSmithMusic
Stories (42/0)
Acoustic Evening at the Railway Inn (2nd April)
Hello, someone asked me the other day what's your least favourite part of being a musician is. I said the music. Of course, I was joking, but it did get me thinking that rather a lot goes into being a musician. Of course, actually playing the music is the really easy part. The practice is okay. I mean, it can be tough, but it's not exactly the worst. Then you've got the poster designing, again that can be quite tough but is a little bit of fun. Then you've got the ticket, the paperwork, the emails, and all that admin. Yes, you might not believe it, but the hardest part is actually the, well, I suppose the boring stuff. Organising and sorting out. Thankfully, I'm not in a band anymore, and I don't say that from an antisocial viewpoint, but just trying to get four people to turn up for something at the right time is extremely tough. Then, times that by four and you have a show. Or maybe you do if they all show up. What I'm trying to say here in so many words is that so much organisation goes into putting on shows by the musicians and venues themselves, you wouldn't believe it. Even though I'm getting more experience hosting these events, there is always something to stress and worry about. Fortunately, thing's when off without a hitch. I can only thank all the musicians, Jack and the Railway team. For pulling off an amazing night !!
By Charlie Smith30 days ago in Beat
River Studios Open mic 30th of March
It's only me, Charlie Smith back again to do a little write-up about another open mic night at River Studios! Yes, another month has flown by and it's time to take a little recap. This month's article has been slightly delayed just because of how busy I have been in early April. I had the pleasure on Sunday the 2nd of April of hosting my first-ever gig outside of Southampton at the Rail Way Inn, Winchester. While I think it was a smashing gig I can't lie it has taken a lot out of me to put on the evening. I will have a full article coming out about that hopefully in the coming week. I also decided to have a break over the Easter period to try and relax somewhat. It's not always easy to switch off as an indie musician as there are always more gigs to play, practise to do and songs to write. Keeping on writing articles like this is also a challenge for me! Not really for any specific reason other than I am good at procrastinating. So now with having a few days off, I feel fresh and ready to get back to writing, music and gig planning. No maybe not quite fully refreshed, but it will do. I've still got a few chocolate eggs left to eat so that will give me a bit of energy to write the rest of this article.... I hope.
By Charlie Smithabout a month ago in Beat
River Studios Open mic 23rd of February
A new venture for me over the last couple of months has been to run a monthly open mic at River Studios. A local studio to me with a performance space. I thought it would be a great idea to do a little write-up of these events and also share the photos that are taken from the evening. I've also recently created a Facebook group for the event, so feel free to check that out if you are interested. Before I go any further I'd also like to thank all the artists that have played so far in the first couple of events. It has taken me a while to get everything set up how I'd like it. Of course, when you do something new, it will always take a while to build it up into what you want it to be. Hopefully, in the next few months, we will see some great open mic nights at River Studios to add to the huge list of open mics in Southampton.
By Charlie Smith3 months ago in Beat
The CD pickup of 2022
I must start by wishing you all a happy new year! I hope that father Christmas delivered everything you wanted. Whether that was a brand new guitar, drum set or some socks. Hopefully, you were all good in 2022. I was certainly very good in 2022 or rather I wasn't as bad as I could have been which is something.
By Charlie Smith5 months ago in Beat
A recap 'No more demos' live at the arthouse
It's the time of the year for reflection and indulgence. We eat too much and we drink even more. It's time to end the year in style. For me, it's always a humbling experience when things go wrong and are challenging. I'm one for always learning and it's good to find out what you don't know, preferably this is done before the event happens, but that's life though it doesn't always happen how you expect. You have to expect the unexpected. So from a medical emergency at the start to a successful gig. Here is a little breakdown of how the evening went down on Saturday the 10th of December.
By Charlie Smith6 months ago in Beat
A look back at Charlie Smith + friends live at the arthouse
Hello, it's only me again. You know that man who does gigs sometimes and spends the rest of the time watching old horror movies and eating pizza. Not the most interesting life I can assure you, but we are not here to talk about that today. We have some far more exciting news for you. I want to talk about a Gig I hosted at the arthouse on the 9th of September. Some familiar faces returned to make a lovely night of music. I was for the second time a very unintimidating doorman, but I must self-congratulate myself and say that I am improving. Maybe I have got to hit the gym, but hey at least I am pleasant meet and greater. In this article, we are going to take a look back on the evening and also take a look at a brand new musical partnership that seems to have developed.
By Charlie Smith8 months ago in Beat
A look back: live lounge at the Angel on the 13th of August
It feels like only the other day I was writing about the showcase at river studios, but it has surprisingly almost been a month since I published that article. Time does fly, but the gigs don't stop. In this article I want to take a look back at the live lounge gig I organised on Friday the 13th of August. Before I do, however, I would very much like to thank all the acts that took part. Some familiar faces as we will later in this article and some new ones. Thanks also to Angel Inn for allowing me to put on this event and supporting it. Finally, thanks to everyone who brought a ticket and came along to the event. You are fabulous and doing a great job in supporting live music.
By Charlie Smith9 months ago in Beat
River Studio's acoustic night, Friday 8th July
I want to start this article off by thanking all the performers who played at this event. I hadn't actually met them before the event, as in some cases I actually found their music online. I have to say though, that everyone lived up to any expectation I had and the performances while all very different, were of high quality. Apart from me of course, but in all fairness, I barely got any sleep the night before and I hadn't eaten any dinner. Plus I had to worry about timing and making sure everyone turned up and if you don't know me I am a worrier especially when it comes to these sorts of things.
By Charlie Smith10 months ago in Beat
New music in May. My top picks
I've wanted to write an article for a while now, but I just haven't found the right motivation too. Of course, I've got some pretty serious subject matters I should have covered, but it seems time has passed me by. However, I just couldn't let the last month pass me by without commenting about some of the music I have heard in the last month. So here I am 10 pm on a Tuesday, after eating a meal out with family and drinking two beers, trying to put together an article that does all the music that was released this month justice.
By Charlie Smith12 months ago in Beat
The INDIEPENDENT playlist
Hey, It's only me! Charlie Smith you might remember me from such articles such as Glacer FM is a big fat scam! and Beneath the crust of 'Bread Records'. Today I'm going to tell you about a fantastic new music playlist! Yes I know, I have written about that before as well. This one however is going to be my largest and best one yet! I promise. Stuffed full of the best and most creative music I could possibly lend my ear to. I promise you this one is worth listening to.
By Charlie Smithabout a year ago in Beat
Getting creative with CDs
Getting creative with CDs You may have heard about the revival of vinyl sales, the hip and trendy new-old way to listen to music. Or how about cassette tapes? I recorded my EP last year onto tape. Analogue is all the rage! Or so it seems. What about the humble compact disc? Unfortunately, it seems that in today day and age actually, funnily enough, they are on the decrease. Although it must be said that there is a certain market for them and as musicians, it's still a great format to get our work out there. As the title of this article suggests there is an opportunity to get creative with the format.
By Charlie Smithabout a year ago in Beat
