Still only 19, Charlie Hanlon has been releasing music for four years. The Downpatrick songwriter released his latest and first of 2024, ‘Godsend’, this month. His knack for a feel-good indie track continues unabashed, with sharp guitars and strong bass underpinning a strong singalong reprise. One that seems ripe for a big live performance, Hanlon plays The Union Bar, Belfast tomorrow night. Ahead of the show, we asked Hanlon to give some insight into the music that’s been influencing his songwriting.
CMAT – Mayday
I love this song, and CMAT in general is such an important artist to me. I remember the first time I heard her music, I was instantly hooked. It was definitely inspiring seeing an artist in this day and age doing completely what they want sonically and being themselves, I have taken a lot from that.
Jeff Buckley – Mojo Pin
Jeff Buckley has been a long time favourite of mine. I remember when I heard Grace and ‘Mojo Pin’ just had me in from the word go. A lot of the melodic and stylistic choices I have been making recently with my writing have come from Jeff Buckley.
Clairo – Amoeba
This song is just magical I love everything about it. The more intimate style of singing that Clairo would do is something I have been doing a lot. I also adore Jack Antonoff’s style of production.
Lauran Hibberd – Shark Week
I remember finding this song randomly when I was 14 on the way home from school one day. I went home and immediately trried to do something in this style of storytelling, and I also think sonically I have taken a lot of aspects from this tune.
Declan McKenna – The Key to Life on Earth
The ‘Key to Life on Earth’ might just be my favourite song ever, and Declan McKenna is an artist that has influenced me a lot. From this song to the whole record Zeros was like everything I love about music in one artist. The fact he incorporates his influences in the aesthetics and sonically is something I’ve taken away to do myself.
Blossoms – Getaway
Another one of my favourite tunes. This song always makes me feel such emotions and I love the indie sound with a pop sensibility. I definitely spent way to much time when I was younger just wanting to be a member of this band. But their influence is still very big to me. This song proves how underrated Tom Ogden is as a writer.
Eli Smart – See Through
Eli Smart has been quite a recent discovery for me, but I am very happy I discovered this guy’s beautiful songs. The very laid back approach to the vocal delivery, the production, the songwriting, the playing on this track are all right up my street. Definitely been an influence in some of the stuff I’ve been writing recently
Paul McCartney – The Back Seat of my Car
This song is golden, I absolutely adore the fact that Paul was making something on exactly his on terms. It’s a lot edgier than what critiques had wanted him to do. The man is a genius. I think the main thing that I’m taking away from the entire RAM album is that music isn’t about pleasing everyone, it’s about doing what you want to for yourself and that’s just what I do now days.
Alfie Templeman – Yellow Flowers
I remember hearing this song and being instantly locked in only to find out he was 15 (a year older than me at the time) and had made it completely in his bedroom, playing everything himself. It definitely showed me that I could do it myself and that sometimes the best work comes from working completely on your own. Alfie’s unreal and continues to be a massive influence
The Strypes – Scumbag City
The first band I properly fell in love with. This song is an instant classic to me. What I took away from it was almost like they had written a song about my hometown Downpatrick. It is about another small Irish town, Cavan. That inspired me to write about my surroundings and where I grew up, and not have fear being honest about what its like. Unreal band unreal tune.
