King Charles: Destined For Greatness

A fan wrote on King Charles’ Facebook page after getting home from his gig at the Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds on Monday. He said, “I don’t understand how you’re not incredibly famous yet- you were amazing tonight”. This might seem like a perfectly normal remark but (and as cheesy as this sounds) only after you have watched the King himself fly all over the stage, try to climb on anything remotely stable- or unstable, and sing an entire song on the shoulders of a member of the crowd - do you truly get it. 

I first saw KC nearly a year ago, in a little pub in North London. He was without a band, just him and a mountain of hair. Wrapped in an elaborate shawl, sitting cross legged on a stool he sang a few of his acoustic tracks that many recognised from his various Youtube videos created in tranquil settings such as a Kenyan beach. Whilst listening to ‘Ivory Road’ a song that begins with a slow carefree guitar and then builds with intriguing tempo changes and considered lyrics that are both romantic and entertaining, you would be forgiven for thinking you were back on that beach with him. This was the song that he began his set with in Leeds on Monday: “Well I wish we were animals free of love’s games, I wish we were snails with really big shells, I wish I was a Lion, I’d be king of the wild, I’d command all the beasts to carry you when you’re tired.” I told Charles that this was a favourite track of mine and asked if it was on the album he has now completed, which it unfortunately isn’t. He said he just couldn’t ever do it as well as that one ‘Black cab session’. I also asked him how he managed to sing so fast and articulate the lyrics in time, he smiled and explained that he doesn’t know until the very moment if it will happen or not, once the cue’s gone the moment has passed you cannot get it back. 

Since his near death experience that occurred whilst skiing over Christmas, living for the moment is an idea that holds as much significance as ever. When asked if he gets excited about his future after seeing such incredible support on his tour (the Leeds gig was a sold out show), he was quick to explain that he tries not to. Why think about something that has not yet occurred, when the present is in front of you? What is the past except a memory that that you can revisit, that is neither uncertain nor scary. So to a certain extent, what is the purpose of thinking or worrying about anything further ahead of now? Charles confessed that thinking about the passage of time scared him a little and that his friends teased him about his ‘girly’ attitude to life and love concerning this; he then proceeded to state he wants to be married by the end of the year. I confirmed that yes this is rare to find a man who is so instinctual in his approach to life and matters of the heart.  

King Charles sings about these three main themes of love, death and time passing a lot, but he doesn’t cover these big subject matters in any cliché or superficial way. In matters of love Charles’ delivery differs: from ‘Ivory Road’ which is so lyrically inventive and entertaining, to the beautiful ‘Beating Hearts’. A favourite is the infectious and unforgettable (believe me I have tried - it will loop around in your head for months) ‘Love lust’ which got the biggest response of the night. It is an accurate observation from someone that has obviously questioned, what is true, long-lasting love?  Alternatively songs such as (what I only know as) ‘The Polar Bear and Crocodile Song’ and ‘Breaking Hearts’ are louder, darker, with heavy drums which create a rhythmic tension and culminate in a crescendo, inspiring head bashing and stamping from the audience and on stage: Jumping, thrashing, hair, and an energy one would never have guessed at from the calm and measured conversation that had occurred moments before.

When asked who would be his ideal dinner party guests he proved himself to be someone truly interested in people rather than the superficiality of the celebrity culture and indeed the business he is in. I expected such standard answers as Bob Dylan or perhaps Stephen Fry but seemingly unconcerned with this he instead explained how he loves it when “you meet someone once and they leave such an impression that you would love to spend more time in their company”. He named a young Violinist Charlie Siem, who had played at his mother’s birthday and how he would love to talk more with this guy who was obviously so talented. (He has a ‘Black cab session’ on Youtube for those interested). Next he would choose two girls as he ‘loves talking to girls’. One, the young woman he was trying to woo and then her best friend- to help in bringing about easy conversation and qualities in him which would doubtless be suppressed if just faced with the lady in question.

In Leeds on Monday and indeed every time I have seen King Charles perform I have been thoroughly entertained. Aesthetically he holds a resemblance to the 17th century Monarch, but he is certainly more patriotic than the original treasonous ruler (visit his Myspace to read the poem ‘O England’). His outfits range from regal to a polka dot leotard leaving little to the imagination. Combined with the characteristic beehive which absolutely always comes apart during the climax of a song and the manic dancing on stage, he is fascinating to watch. Indeed everyone in the band is energetic, whilst looking amused by Charles and his impulsive decisions to climb on ANYTHING, they also look like they are simply having the best time playing together. The band’s line-up has altered slightly, at the moment it is all male whereas last year it consisted of two girls on keyboard and bass guitar.  When asked about this he explained it was ‘just one of those things’, but that one of the girls “...had the most beautiful voice that made me calm in rehearsals.” This was the line up that played a number of times at last year’s Glastonbury, from the BBC introducing stage to the Green Peace tent, which he confirmed he will be appearing in again this year. The last night he was on, before the highly anticipated Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling, he ended with Michael Jackson’s ‘They don’t care about us’. He said that after hearing the mutterings throughout the festival, the varying controversial opinions held by a public, he chose that song as a remark on not only what Jackson did for pop music but also the fickle behaviour of people who judge.

There are so many different influences running through the music of KC; Psychedelic folk is a term that has been bandied about but there is so much more within it that one cannot sum this sound up in a single phrase. From the melodic to Grime, Reggae, Folk, and Prog’ Rock; this is music that stimulates this recognition of elements from the infinite vaults of popular music but combined it has amalgamated into something quite exciting. KC played some new unreleased songs that went down very well. Also the genius take on Billy Joel’s ‘We didn’t start the Fire’ with his own highly relevant and stirring lyrics taking the place of the original verses, it guarantees great rapport with the audience: “Credit crunch, cash for honours, Northern Rock-John Prescott, Labour government you’ve embarrassed us all.” Enter cheers from crowd here.  There is no doubt that King Charles already has such a loyal following: when playing live (this sold out Leeds show was one of many) and on the blogosphere, with sites such as ‘The Hype machine’ having featured KC consistently for the past year or so. On top of that with support from Radio One DJ’s such as Hugh Stephens and Zane Lowe, like the fan on the Facebook page, I observe this energy and charisma on stage and off,  with brilliant, majestic music and cannot understand why KC is not ‘incredibly famous yet’. Eager, like everyone else for an album I asked when we should be seeing the finished product. He modestly replied that it will most likely be after the summer when there are hopefully more people who want to buy it. It looks like a busy summer ahead for him and the band, at various festivals ending up on the Isle of Wight at ‘Bestival’, when no doubt by then there will be many, many more loyal subjects.

Words: Alice Neave

Chicken Easy
Posts: 2

King Charles
Reply #2 on : Fri May 07, 2010, 16:39:41

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Great piece, and very interesting as I've been following his progress since last year's Glastonbury. I can't believe he's not 'incredibly famous' yet either - but I guess you have to remember that the national music press don't really pick up on things unless it's signed to one of the major labels, with a huge marketing budget behind it. See talentless halfwits in the charts for proof of that.

I really think and hope it's only a matter of time before KC hits the big time, and in a way, the fact that he's not turned into an overnight super-star, makes him all the better in my eyes.

alice Wood
Posts: 2

i must see this man
Reply #1 on : Sat May 01, 2010, 18:07:29

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he sounds wonderful, great review thanks for the words. I will most def check him out. Cheers then

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