If think if you’re talented enough, you can write a great song about anything. Charlie Bedford proves my theory with his latest track “(The Out of Town) Laundromat Blues.” This tongue-in-cheek blues-rock number perfectly showcases his incredible guitar chops and knack for writing quirky lyrics.
“I’ve always listened to and enjoyed many different styles of music,” Charlie said. “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!”
Charlie will release his new album, Daydream, next month so expect to hear a lot more from this local bluesman really soon. If you’re around Victoria or outback New South Wales, you can also see him playing the following shows:
31 January 2025 – Music In The Hargreaves Mall, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Bendigo (from 11 am)
1 February 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 4:30 pm)
15 February 2025 – Broken Hill Pub, Willyama/Broken Hill (time TBA)
28 February 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 5 pm)
14 March 2025 – American Hotel, Yorta Yorta Country/Echuca (from 5 pm)
Photo credit: Nate Hill