Charlie Vaughan: Reviving 60s Pop Spirit with a Modern Edge

With a sound that blends the infectious energy of 60s British Invasion pop with a fresh, modern twist, Buckinghamshire-born singer-songwriter Charlie Vaughan is making waves with his latest single, "Timebomb." Channeling the raw spirit of The Kinks and The Who, while drawing inspiration from contemporary artists like Declan McKenna, Vaughan's explosive track delivers fuzz-drenched, Lennon-esque vocals and sharp lyrical snapshots of modern life’s everyday chaos. As he prepares for the release of his upcoming EP Thank You, Joe Fernandez and a headline show at The George Tavern, Vaughan is primed to make his mark as a bona fide guitar-pop dynamo.

1. Timebomb has been described as a "jubilant ode to the pop-art infatuations of the 60s." Can you tell us more about what drew you to that era of music and how it shaped the sound of the track?

I wrote this song with the focus to have a fun, upbeat tune to play live. I suppose that led me to look at some of my favourite guitar bands like, The Kinks…but I was also listening to old rock n roll and songs with guitar riffs, like Bobby Parker’s ‘watch your step’.

2. The upcoming EP Thank You, Joe Fernandez seems to blend nostalgic elements with modern themes. How do you balance your love for classic 60s guitar-pop with contemporary influences?

It’s natural for 60s guitar pop to be knocking about in my head because that’s the music I was first introduced to as a child. I wanted this EP to have odes to lots of music I love like Nilsson and The Beatles. 

In terms of modern themes, that bits easy as everything is written from my perspective, on this EP anyway. 

3. You’ve mentioned that Timebomb reflects the overwhelming nature of modern life—responsibilities, social media, and everything in between. How do you channel these everyday pressures into your songwriting?

Songwriting is a great escape from that stuff although I find myself grabbing my phone mid-flow sometimes, its very strange.

There are so many fragments of lives that you can see now, it’s weird as fuck. Suddenly I’m witnessing a bus crash on my phone and then I’m seeing it again in real life. Writing a song or a poem can help make sense of all that. Not the bus thing per se but you get the point. 

4. After transitioning from drummer/vocalist with Weird Milk to embarking on your solo career, how has your approach to music and performing evolved?

I used to be able to chill the hell out before a show. Have a beer, bumble on behind the tubs, play the gig with four people protecting me. 

Now I’ve got nowhere to hide.

I like to engage with people at a gig and try to make em laugh or smile. That’s all I want to do, yes siree. 

5. With your headline launch show at The George Tavern approaching, what can fans expect from your live performances, especially with a full backing band in tow for this EP?

Well I’ve got some of the best in the game backing me up. Great mates and great players. We shall bring the sunshine.