Content featuring Charles: What Can Artists Do Differently Now? | New Single, “Quelle”
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Charles Grace is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who currently resides in Orange County, California. To get in touch, send Charles a message.
Latests News: New single, “Quelle” just released 3/27. Now available everywhere.
Charles, thank you for joining us today at VQS. Take us back in time to how you first fell in love with music.
I fell in love with music at the age of ten. That is when I started listening to full length albums from front to back until I memorized the track order and knew which song was coming next. I did not need to do much else. Listening to music was always an engaging experience. My family turned me on to Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash early on. My aunt was one of my biggest influences as a kid. She would listen to Garth Brooks and then bump some Boyz II Men. To this day, I credit her with my eclectic taste in music.
When I was thirteen, I started playing after my dad’s guitar sat in the office for a year. While most kids were playing “Iron Man” or “Smoke on the Water,” it was actually “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers that made me want to play. Since I had already developed an interest in creative writing, it was not long until I combined the two and began writing my own songs at the age of fifteen. I never remember consciously saying I wanted to be a songwriter. All I remember is that it just seemed like the natural next step. I thought if somebody could give me goosebumps with a song they created, then I wanted to try my hand at doing that for others too.
What’s new in Charles’ world?
The latest single is called “Quelle,” which is the German word for “source.” It is essentially a broken prayer looking ahead to where I would like to be but knowing I was not there at the time when I wrote it. It is a song about the deconstruction of identity and how that is redefined for me since coming to faith in Jesus. Oftentimes, I find myself as an artist letting my performance determine my value or worth. I wrote this at a time when I was in the thick of realizing that who I am informs what I do, but what I do does not determine who I am. In other words, my true identity is not based on my performance — good, bad, or otherwise. This song is an honest look in the mirror where I am allowing myself to be known and seen.
“Quelle” is one of twelve tracks that will appear on an upcoming full length album (to be released in 2020). The album was mixed and mastered by Matt Margallo and Shaun Day, also known as The Sonic Writers.
What 3 core values do you believe are necessary for success?
1. Honesty
2. Willingness to learn/receive correction
3. Persistence
Who have been some of your favorite people/projects to work with?
Outside of writing and performing music, the most rewarding experiences I have had are the opportunities to serve others. I have been privileged to serve with ministries and non profits that benefit people in real, tangible ways with matters such as homelessness, hunger, domestic violence, and suicide prevention. Some examples of organizations I have worked with include Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, The Narrow Door, New Directions, and Leslie’s Hope.
What future opportunities would you like to be involved with?
I would love to be involved with anything that promotes community and support for those who are struggling, whether it be the homeless, the hungry, or the outcast. My heart is heavy for all of these individuals.
