Charlie Coupland is a contemporary of Ronnie Wood, and has spent a lifetime crafting songs and producing abstract and installation artwork. Charlie grew up on the River Thames outside London within 10 miles from his Stones contemporary and played his first gig at the local youth club as a fifteen year old, doing a shouty version ‘I wanna be your man’. Right from the start the authenticity of Blues music, and the work of Dylan, rooted itself deep in Charlie’s soul.
In his time in London Charlie shared a house with guests, clients and colleagues including George Martin, Elton John, Ravi Shankar, Ronnie Spector and Alice Cooper. During that time Charlie concentrated on songwriting and jamming with South African drummer and percussionist Billy ‘Knight’ Maslingo.
Charlie then moved to France, first to Paris and then Grenoble where he worked up his chops by gigging on a regular basis.
Returning to the UK Charlie graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama and emigrated to Australia where he has worked as a writer and performer as well as teaching Media, Theatre, Voice and Performance for over 30 years.
In early 2008 Charlie released a solo album and played gigs under the name Charlie Mikula. He continued writing songs and producing abstract and installation artwork.
He played at art events at the Argyll Studios in Port Melbourne and the Caravan Sculpture Studios in Richmond, Elwood RSL, and the Artery in Brunswick.
Early in 2017 Charlie began his collaboration with Andrew ‘Idge’ Hehir at Soundpark Studio in Northcote and ‘Drifters Highway’ began to take shape.
Booking an Press contact:
Charles Allardice, Theatre of Leadership
e.
charles@theatreofleadership.com m. 0418 992 038
released November 25, 2018
Drifters Highway’ brings together some of Melbourne’s most talented musicians as the Northside Pleasure Club. Songs of love, loss, lust and ambition echo the sonic palate of the Travelling Wilburies. The album strides fearlessly through rock, country and roots, and was mastered by Richard Stolz and Woodstock Studios.
Andrew Hehir, main man at Soundpark Studio, is a drummer whose dynamic playing has propelled many notable musical collaborations. Andrew engineered and co-produced ‘Drifters Highway’ along with projects by Paul Kelly and Beasts of Bourbon.
Anthony Paine on bass has a long history of notable gigs and recordings, as well as founding Harvester Guitars where his luthier skills are in high demand.
Julitha Ryan is a solo artist with international experience, a powerful voice and a soulful keyboard style that can be experienced through her solo albums and collaborations with Mick Harvey.
Nildo Orso is ‘a pedal steel badass’ who brings tasteful licks, skill and drive to the album’s guitars.
John Olson adds deft, stylish contributions on piano.
‘Drifters Highway’ is a powerful trip along the crowded highway of life.