Charles is a musician’s musician – the kind of guy that straight-up talks in song lyrics. Already a star in his neighbourhood by the age of 9, Charles wants to rock the world with a vast repertoire of songs written in over four languages. With music seeping from his very sole and the ability to communicate with pretty much everyone, either through words or music, he might as well achieve his dream to record albums and tour the globe. This interview is a fascinating look into the mind of someone who thinks, talks, and breathes music. Enjoy the words and lyrics, for reading this little piece of prose is like tuning in to a song… a wayward, emotional journey.

Hello! Tell the world about yourself. How did you grow up to become the musician you are today?

Take a look at this picture… a crowded cafe, a girl at piano and myself, I guess about twenty years old, pointing at somebody at the audience who’s singing along… there’s a mic in my other hand. This photograph was taken somewhere in Estonia where I began my first public performances. Then I was also a student of Yerevan State University, Armenia. And in our house there has always been music from all around the world. I think it’s the best education one can dream of! I was born in a family of musicians. My father, a trumpeter and leader of brass bands. Mother is a piano teacher. Also got a brother and a sister (also a very gifted pianist), both concert goers as well. I was influenced a lot by them as well.

Introduce your current musical projects and tell us what makes each one special for you!

If you are a singer-songwriter and your name is Charles Creedence, imagine… the job is never done! There are too many things to do, write, learn, complete, perform, record, travel, and so on,plus the languages I study all the time. I write in English, Spanish, French, Italian and other languages… I consider myself a peace and neworld activist (the word I coined myself…)

You have been playing music for a long while! How do you find the drive and inspiration to keep going all this time?

There’s a mystery when once in a while you find yourself real gone, almost dead, empty, and all of a sudden you get resurrected like a phoenix… here, we have the job of the almighty, the nature, whatever they call it …a matter of complete secret and wonder that no one knows a thing about.

How is your local music scene in your perspective? Do you feel like you belong there?

I see myself as a child of the world and its culture, I belong to the scene wherever it takes me to. I’m feeling home everywhere, lived everywhere, and yes, the world is my stage… yet the bittersweet thing about it is – I’m a perfect stranger, everywhere… I traveled a lot, I must say first, since I was 9 or so, I lived in many places and it left the mark. And as I write this, I’m in the eternal town…
” Le mie canzoni sono storie d’amore,e como cittadino del mondo,mi sento come interpretare questa melodia nella citta eterna,spero che tocchi il cuore dell’Italia e soprattutto il cuore della donna che amo e spero che cambiera il mondo e la mia fortuna”. This is the refrain of my song Affari Romani, I wrote it in Italian, It must be about me, the citizen of the world.

What is your all-time favorite record and how did it change you as an artist?

As for my artist name, I began playing Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sweet, Janis Joplin, and many other songs in the neighborhood, surrounded by children. It was my first success, I became a star for the kids of my hometown… and Ray Charles has always been my hero, as long as I remember myself… I can talk about eternally for I’m in love with music, which is pure m-a-g-i-c, Arts. My artistic inspiration is La chanson… from Zaz, Patricia Kaas, Brel, Piaf, Aznavour to Joni Mitchell, Dylan, Springsteen, Neil Young, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beth Hart, to name just a few. I listen to Classical, Jazz, Blues, Flamenco … ”The man is the art, the art of living, otherwise doesn’t exist” (from my musical spectacle ”Ivre Vif”).

What are your favorite software and hardware tools for music production?

Unfortunately, I’m not an expert about it at all…

What is your songwriting process like?

I can write anything, anytime, and throw it right away… and what remains, remains, it’s mine, or yours, and it must be worth something, probably…

Out of all the live shows you played, which one was the most memorable, and why?

I don’t know why, I’ve just remembered the Hard Rock Cafe, Amsterdam.The night was such a magic, the audience, inspiration, the sleepless night that followed … remember my name in the affiche… even wrote a song that night I think will never forget …

What is your biggest musical goal?

To record the songs I consider amazing … either live or in studio, for even the selection of the tracks is going to be quite a challenge, given the size of the repertoire, and then to go represent it to the world on a tour…

How has being on Drooble helped you as a musician?

It’s a young, innovative place where I walk into the spotlight now and then, get messages, ovations, acquaintances who share the passion of making music, are ready to work and enjoy all the creative moments together. Thank you guys at Drooble for the great stage you created…
p.s. At the same time, as I say to everybody, and to myself most of all, I expect more from you all. Love, Creedence, Charles.