King Charles (musician)

King Charles

King Charles in 2012.
Background information
Born (1985-05-06) May 6, 1985
Origin London, England
Genres Alternative, folk-pop, surf rock, indie
Years active 2007–present
Labels Universal Republic, Mi7, Island, Buffalo Gang
Associated acts Adventure Playground

King Charles, (born Charles Costa, 6 May 1985) is a singer-songwriter from West London.

Charles plays the guitar, piano, and cello. He is also a classically trained singer and performed in his school's choir.[1] He began writing songs when he was 17, and in 2009, he won the International Songwriting Competition by unanimous vote.[2]

Charles studied at St Paul's School, then going on to study sociology for two terms at Durham University, Charles returned to London in 2007, adopted the pseudonym King Charles, and formed a band, Adventure Playground, which toured with Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale before disbanding in 2008.[2] He has also gone on tour around the UK and The United States alongside Mumford and Sons.

In 2009 he became the first ever Brit to win the International Songwriting Competition in Nashville for his song 'Love Lust.'.[3] The competition was judged by Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis, and following this victory King Charles was signed by Universal Republic/Island.[4]

After signing a global contract with Universal Republic through his UK independent label Mi7 Records, King Charles recorded his debut album, Loveblood, in Hollywood, CA. It was released on 8 May 2012.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[5]		 FRA
[6]		 SCO
[7]
LoveBlood 36 168 78
Gamble for a Rose — — —

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[5]		 BEL
[8]
"Bam Bam" 2011 — — LoveBlood
"Love Lust" — —
"Ivory Road" — —
"Mississippi Isabel" 2012 — 84
"Loose Change for the Boatman" 2015 — — Gamble for a Rose
"Gamble for a Rose" — —

References

  1. ↑ "Glastonbury 2009 – King Charles". BBC. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  2. 1 2 "King Charles’s Biography – Discover music, videos, concerts, stats, & pictures at". Last.fm. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. ↑ http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/previouswinners#2009
  4. ↑ "Why we're watching… King Charles". The Guardian (London).
  5. 1 2 "King Charles" (select "Albums" tab). Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "Discographie King Charles" (in French). lescharts.com. Retrieved 2015-04-13.
  7. ↑ Peak positions for singles in Scotland:
  8. ↑ "Discografie King Charles". ultratop.be. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 April 2015.

External links

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