Phil Quinn(33) from Belfast, Sam Goodwin(32) originaly from London, now lives in Belfast, and Richard Bailie(20) from Lisburn together perform as Charles Hurts.
Phil writes, plays the guitar, sings vocals, while Sam plays the bass, and Richard plays the drums.
Phil admits that they were bit by the bug as a teen. They went to school with Sam where they were in a few bands together eventually graduating from the school hall to playing venues around Belfast by the time they were of legal age.
What genre / style do you create in?
As loathe as I am to suggest it, “indie rock” or whatever meaning is left in that term in 2020 anno domini.
What would you be best known for?
Disappearing for weeks or months at a time, or for previously being a member of Girls Names.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
Performing at Primavera Sound 2012 in Barcelona with Girls Names.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
If you have low/no expectations you’ll never be disappointed.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
The “industry” or rather the non writing/performing side of things, I’m probably atrocious at it and I get bored of it fairly quickly.
I did not struggle through trying to play Smells Like Teen Spirit at the age of 13 using only two strings on my dad’s old acoustic guitar so I could be swamped in administrative duties and worry about Facebook algorithms.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
The songs are like, my kids, man. I suppose music occupies most of my time when I’m not working. I’ve started trying to learn the drums the last few weeks and I should really go back to trying to pick up how to play the violin and saxophone again after the money I spent on them, but I’m really not sure my neighbours can take much more abuse.
Other than that, I play video games, watch films/TV series and I’m really forcing myself to read more at the minute while using my phone less.
Tell us about your most recent work?
We’d two releases out on the same day in July (I think it was July). One was “Bangers ‘n’ Mash Ups” a compilation featuring a host of local luminaries covering each other’s tunes to support Women’s Aid N.I facilities by the non-profit community group “She Sells Sanctuary”.
The other was a three track EP of new tunes called “Squashed” imagining an alternate universe where a band might try to cash in on the coronavirus pandemic. Check out Living Under Lockdown.
What would you like us to tell people about?
You can still buy “Bangers ‘n’ Mash Ups” on Bandcamp as a CD or download, the tracks are really good and it’s a really worthwhile cause to support especially as incidents of domestic violence have increased since the start of the pandemic.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
Slinky guitar and bass riffs intermingling with wine and cheese over sixth form poetry oozing with classical metaphor. White motown strained through a post-punk gauze with a singer working out “why does no one love me?” over the course of ten tunes.
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
Pounding pavements in Utrecht in search of an erstwhile band member only to find them safely passed out in the hostel toilet hours later.
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Be authentic, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks of you, and have fun. This will also serve you reasonably well throughout all life’s endeavours.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
We’re hoping to record soon, and hopefully it’ll not take too long for the fruits of that labour to be heard afterwards.
Who do you look up to and why?
To anyone who can actually wear their face mask OVER their nose as it seems to be an insurmountable task to most.
You can find Charles Hurts on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook!