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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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Interview with
CHARLY OAKLEY

(22nd October 2025)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the song writing bug?
I always knew I was an artist – not because I was a prodigy, but because I was profound. I felt things very deeply as a kid and was obsessed with art in all its forms. I used to plagiarise books that I enjoyed word for word and change the characters’ names so I could feel what it was like to write something great. I transcribed the lyrics of CDs by hand because we didn’t have enough paper to print them. Unknowingly, I was practicing and absorbing the structures of storytelling that moved me. I was rote-learning the output of excellent authors, poets and songwriters – and at 12 years old I started writing my own.

Briefly describe your journey to date.
Wrote my whole life. Poems, books, stories, scenes, songs. Performed in plays and musicals throughout school, and recorded my first song with Jordie Tomas at 15 years old. We haven’t stopped making music with each other since. Studied Music Theatre, made an album with Jordie, got signed to management, dropped out of uni, made my professional debut in the iconic Round The Twist The Musical as Linda, went to LA twice to expand my craft and am making music that speaks to the human condition.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
Heartfelt, nostalgic, empowering, addictive alt pop. Or is it? I actively choose not to subscribe to a genre when I’m writing. If what I want to say has enough conviction, the form will find me, not the other way around. I think people resonate with my writing because there is a unique power in seeing the world for what it is, and then for what it could be. I don’t believe that element of hope to be naive; I think it is fundamental. I think it is actually healthy for you to consume. People often comment that they can hear when I’m smiling in my recordings, and I love that they can feel that warmth and joy emanate from me.

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Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
Artists who actively pursue and practice authentic and innovative expression, cultivate community and wear their heart on their sleeve are my touchstone for inspiration. I’m really digging DJO, Hayley Williams, WILLOW and Yungblud at the moment for that reason. But also, there are so many in our own backyard! I’m such a fan of Ixaras’ tenacity and ambition. She’s a rockstar and we are watching her get made right in front of our eyes. That is inspiring.

Your debut single ‘Against The Odds’ has just been released! What’s it all about? Describe its origin and evolution.
Against The Odds is my attempt at holding the weight of pain and love in both hands. It is a comment on the division and suffering in the world, and the necessity of community, solidarity and deep friendship when the odds are stacked against us. I wrote it with my best friend and creative collaborator, Jordie Tomas, and producer, Xandy Barry, in LA. It took us a while to crack it, but we found the song was craving true duality, and I’m really proud of our clarity in the writing.

Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
I have written upwards of 100 songs in the last 3 years, so… yeah. But, I’m really curious about presenting music in meaningful, unique ways. What do I want to leave behind? What is my contribution to music? How can I be of service to people? I’m currently pulling the final pieces together for a project that answers those questions in a way that really lights me up.

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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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You have a show at The Night Cat in Melbourne on the 30th October. What other tours and events are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
Live performances are so integral to my experience of music, and such a sacred way to connect with people. I’m launching the single, and playing some new songs (from my very cryptic explanation of the project above). There is one song in particular that I will be performing for the first time that I have been waiting my whole life to write and play for people. It feels like my magnum opus on the human condition. It’s going to be a night of unabashed aliveness. Equal levels of silly and sentimental. I am at my most present, spiritual and dynamic on stage, and it is so important for me to share that. I’m really passionate about these spaces being an opportunity for people to feel less alone, and more alike.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Can you imagine being on stage with Yungblud? It would be fucking crazy. His energy is just dynamite.

What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
My long-term aspirations as an artist are similar to my aspirations as a human: Own your responsibility. Leave people better than you found them. Lead with love. I progress towards these goals by connecting with people authentically. Being actively curious about humans and the way we show up in the world. Writing, writing, writing. Getting out of my own way. Trusting my voice is unique and giving it the space to speak freely. And studying the greats. Consuming history, culture, form, fluidity. All of it.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
That for an hour or two, you have the capacity to bring people back to themselves or into who they wish to be. That is such a sacred responsibility to hold, and I don’t carry it lightly.

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Now for some quickfire questions to get a little personal:
1. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Um. Dislocated my knee 10 times? Yeah, that probably wins.
2. What is the one topic you can talk about for hours? The importance of community, creativity and non-nonchalance for young people.
3. What is the thing you like most about yourself? I love my spirit!

Finally, let’s find out what your current (or all time) favorites are –
Album – Tapestry, Carole King
Artist – Olivia Dean (5 year fan)
Movie – Notting Hill
Place to visit – Vietnam!
Venue to play – The Night Cat (it’s actually my dream. The sound is incredible.)
Food – Tofu Banh Mi
Drink – Ice cold water
Person in History – Paramahansa Yogananda
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I have the word ‘surrender’ tattooed on my wrist in my handwriting. I used to write it there all the time when I was getting into creative flow, so figured I should just put it there permanently.

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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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Follow CHARLY OAKLEY
TikTok – Instagram

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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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Press Release 21st October 2025 (below) HERE

CHARLY OAKLEY
announces debut single
“AGAINST THE ODDS”

LISTEN HERE

Tickets on sale now for launch at

THE NIGHT CAT, FITZROY
Thursday 30 October, 2025

TICKETS HERE

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Photo – Annabelle Bahuth

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AMNPLIFY – DB