Jam-packed with charisma and summery tones, the new single Daydream out today from Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Charlie Bedford sparkles with upbeat instrumentation set against frank lyricism. Also marking the first taste of this exciting artist’s new album due out in early 2025, Daydream finds Bedford expanding his blues roots further into upbeat indie rock territory, with the talented musician also primed to perform his latest single live in action in South Australia and Victoria to close out 2024, with some shows also locked in to kick off the new year.
Embracing inspiration from the likes of Neil Finn, Custard, John Mayer, Paul Kelly, Ash Grunwald, Theo Katzman, David Bowie and The Clash, amongst others, Charlie Bedford’s ever-emboldening trademark sonic style finds fresh new terrain on his latest single. A track soaked in honest storytelling, fun and passionate delivery, Daydream flourishes with luminous melodics, driving instrumentation, and an Aussie tinge that also urges its listener to strive for positivity, as Bedford elaborates, “Daydream can be interpreted a few different ways, but the way I resonate most with it is by identifying it as an internal conflict – loosely based around procrastination. The takeaway for me is to realise how easy life can be if you push on, find the positives in your situation and access the willpower to get the important things done.”
Working alongside Mark Lowrie from Guffland Studios to bring Daydream to life, Bedford also amassed a team of fellow creatives to enhance every aspect of his latest sonic endeavours, both on the new single and for the broader impending album of the same name set to release next year. “I worked with a number of people behind the scenes, getting opinions and advice on my songwriting,” Bedford shares. “The person I worked with most overall was my good friend Mark Lowrie from Guffland Studios in Melbourne. He helped me produce, record and master this album. He was fantastic to work with, always open to entertaining my wild ideas and adding a few of his own along the way where he saw fit. I’ve also had the absolute privilege of collaborating with some amazing artists, one of them being a very talented friend Nikota Kelly, we’ve been collaborating closely on the artwork and visual design of my singles and album cover. Her work naturally matched the exact style that I was looking for with these new recordings, our creative flow has been just perfect – it’s been incredible working with her and watching her illustrations come to life!”
Establishing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming artists, Charlie Bedford began his music career playing in bars and clubs at the age of 12, ultimately going on to become a regular fixture on the Aussie pub, club and festival scenes. Growing up surrounded by music, Bedford has performed in North America multiple times, including in Memphis, Nashville and Muscle Shoals, and has performed with band members from many iconic acts, including BB King, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett. Bringing a modern twist to the blues genre via his 2020 full length album Good To Go, Bedford’s most recent record also reached #1 on Australia’s RMR Charts, #2 on the USA RMR Blues Rock Charts and #14 on the UK’s IBBA Charts, alongside global acclaim. A finalist in the 2020 Music Victoria Awards for Best Blues Album, Bedford has also acted as a Youth Ambassador for The Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and Blues Music Victoria, and continues to push his music into new sonic terrain, including expanding his songwriting prowess with his more recent creative pursuits.
“I’ve always listened to and enjoyed many different styles of music,” shares Bedford of his professional evolution from his earlier years as a blues guitarist. “Growing up there was a lot of the alt pop rock world playing – everything from 90s Australia over to David Bowie and The Clash. My real connection with blues music started from getting guitar lessons. My good friend Phil Smith took me under his wing at an early age and invited me to one of his jam nights in the Dandenong Ranges. It was there I discovered blues music, the rawness, grit and honesty. A local blues legend named Billy Kavanagh blew my mind and I was hooked. They told me about the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and their Youth In Blues program – and it all snowballed from there, from trips to America through to representing Australian youth and starting my first bands – and so much more! I’m now finding through my original music a bizarre blend of all of these sounds and I’m loving it. The more of a mix focused into one song the better I reckon!”
A passionate audiophile, mentored by some of Australia’s finest, Charlie Bedford’s live performances also shine with his modern amalgamation of pop, rock, blues and soul, with upcoming shows locked in as part of Port Noarlunga Blues Fest in South Australia and also in Victoria set to close out 2024; and the promise of more shows on the horizon.
“I’m currently performing numerous solo shows all around Victoria and surrounds,” shares Bedford. “Daydream is in the set as a more raw and stripped-back version. I’m currently organising the next events for the live show and will be touring it with a full band following the release of the new album!”
“It’s super exciting to finally be releasing this single, I’ve been working on this track and the others from my forthcoming album for a long time now, and to finally share them with everyone will be absolutely awesome,” Bedford concludes. “My new album Daydream will be released February 2025 and I’m ecstatic about it!”
Daydream is out today, Wednesday November 20.
