Charles Law Band
Santa Paula, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
Music
Press
SAT, May 11 @8 pm Charles Law & Jagged! Sweet and Lowdown Skip Cisto Blues Band $5 adv/door
A California rocker joins forces with local favorites Sweet and Lowdown and the Skip Cisto Blues Band for an upbeat evening at the Legs. There'll be blood on the tracks and sawdust on the floor... and plenty of room to dance. Something we don't do all that often at Barking Legs!
Known for his crazy guitar-slapping techniques and great live performances, accomplished Americana singer/ songwriter Charles Law and his band Jagged! will be performing live at the Barking Legs to start a tour which will include Nashville, San Francisco and the Bowery Electric in New York.
A 2012 International Songwriter and 2009 MAVRIC Music Awards nominee, Charles Law performs his own brand of what has been referred to by fans as “California Outlaw" and is known for his unique guitar slapping technique, creating a Michael Hedges meets Black Crowes sound. Charles' songs have received airplay on such outlets as NPR and CMJ radio outlets with his songs reaching #1 in Brooklyn, NY, #3 in Whittier, CA and #6 in Chicago, performances at San Francisco's Union Square, The Citrus Festival, The Balloon Festival, Burning Man, and the Ventura Theatre opening for Neville Brothers are highlights for Charles, whose consistent performances have garnered enthusiasm of fans and noted musicians alike.
Law’s newly released album “Choices” contains a wide range of talented musicians, including drummer Stevie DiStanislao (from Crosby, Stills & Nash, David Gilmour) Christine Ellis (Martha Davis/ Motels) and appearances by Kevin McCormick (Jackson Browne, Melissa Etheridge, David Crosby), Bruce Lett (Ernie Watts Quartet) Jeff Scott Evans (Blimp), Tim Gibson (Zero D,) and a duet with Delaney Gibson (Wheatus).
Fans of Chattanooga music are no doubt familiar with the great and powerful vocal force that is Shani Hedden. Fronting the top-flight instrumentalists of Sweet and Lowdown, Shani bowls audiences over with her stellar singing. Blues, rock, R 'n' B and more get well represented and lovingly tended when Sweet and Lowdown take the stage. They got the audience up and dancing with their superb version of "Take Me to the River" during our Dennis Palmer Memorial, and we had to get them back for more! - Tennessee Chattanoogan
Charles Law Band
2013 International Songwriter nominee, Mavric Awards nominee and modern Rock/Americana singer - songwriter Charles Law's songs of passionate edginess have spun nationwide on NPR & CMJ radio stations and his performances garner enthusiasm of fans, press and local dj's. Charles is known for his crazy guitar slappin' technique - VCBuzz
"Blustery Americana ... When he's on stage, watch out: Law loves to slap the heck out of his guitar." - Ventura County Star
Santa Paula Times - Santa Paula Times
After Dark Top Pick - The VC Reporter
Hot Ticket! - Bill Locey - LA Times
CMJ Certain Damage Radio / In-Store Play compilation with Charles Law and Jagged, Massive Attack, Elvis Costello, Cassandra Brown, CrankCaller, volume 128. - CMJ Music Journal
Charles has developed a reputation for the manner in which he slaps his acoustic guitar. - The Star
"Singer-songwriter-guitarist Law is best known for his intense vocals and tendency to unmercifully assault his acoustic guitar ... sounds better than the usual bar fare." - Matthew Singer, The Reporter
"Soulful rock to melodic funk, a percussion genius and natural 'funkstress' bass that dabbles in soothing bass lines - 'soul-rock" - Boris Federov, KSCU 103.3FM
"Beyond loving the sound here, the melody is good and the musicianship / production is exceptional. Very creative with a definite adventurous vision involved" - Taxi
“Great quality, great sound, great stuff” - Ross Emery, Raging Arb & The Redheads
"Corin" video directed by Russell Kostner, premiered at Hollywood International Student Film Festival - AFIRM Publishing / Russell Kostner
A video of Charles Law and Jagged featuring Charles' unusual and exciting acoustic guitar slapping technique at Santa Paula Theatre. - AFIRM Publishing
Discography
"EARTH IS REACHING OUT"
August, 2022
Label: AFIRM Records
"LET IT SNOW - CHARLES LAW BAND STYLE"
July, 2019
Totally Local VC / Local Love / Holiday Album
"CHOICES"
February 2013
Label: AFIRM Records
"CRAZY GIRL" - Duet single with Charles Law and Delaney Gibson
August 28, 2012
Label: AFIRM Records
"SANTA PAULA" - Single for Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce Theme
February 28, 2012
Label: AFIRM Records
"IT'S YOUR LIFE" - Single
"ABANDONED CARS" - Single
Ventura Local Rock Picnic, February 2012
City of Ventura Music Week Compilation CD
"CORIN" - Single to Video
Released on "Corrupted Sophistication"
June, 2003
Label: AFIRM Records
"DARLIN'"
CMJ "Certain Damage" Nationwide Radio/In-Store Compilation
Vol 128, February, 2003
Label: CMJ New Music Report, vol 128
"GLIDE" - Single to CMJ Radio
Released on "Corrupted Sophistication"
August, 2003
Label: AFIRM Records
"DARLIN'" - Single to CMJ Radio
Released on "Corrupted Sophistication"
May, 2003
Label: AFIRM Records
"CORRUPTED SOPHISTICATION"
January 15, 2003
Label: AFIRM Records
"THAT'S WHY"
July 6, 2002
Label: AFIRM Records
Photos
Bio
Great quality, great sound, great stuff Ross Emery, Raging Arb & The Redheads
"Beyond loving the sound here, the melody is good and the musicianship / production is exceptional. Very creative with a definite adventurous vision involved" Taxi
A 2012 International Songwriter and 2009 MAVRIC Music Awards nominee, Charles Law performs his own brand of "California outlaw" music and writes for others. Lush vocal harmonies, clever alternative/country songcrafting and a crazy hand-slapping guitar technique make Charles Law and Jagged unique - check it out at http://youtu.be/nvzIIh9xDEs
Charles' songs have spun nationwide on NPR & CMJ radio stations and went to #1 in Brooklyn, NY, #3 in Whittier, CA and #6 in New Hampshire.
Performances at San Francisco's Union Square, SXSW, Citrus Festival, Balloon Festival, Burning Man and Ventura Theatre opening for Neville Brothers are highlights for this hard-working songwriter whose consistent performances have garnered enthusiasm of fans, local DJs and press.
The buzz started with Charles' unique guitar spanking technique, reminiscent of Michael Hedges. Charles Law and his band Jagged became favorites of local radio station show 95.9 Octopus Rock Revolution, and soon were teaming up with 95.1 KBBY's club promotion of 'The Drink'. Noted veteran musicians began flocking to Charles' performances to sit in and jam a tune or two. Steve DiStanislao (David Crosby, CPR, David Gilmour), Christine Ellis (Martha Davis/Motels), Jimi Christie (Lucinda Williams), Julie Christensen (k.d.lang), keyboardist Tilford Jackson & producer David Bianco have recorded or played shows with Charles Law.
"Corrupted Sophistication", Charles' 2nd release (2003) went to national radio, spinning on college/CMJ, NPR, internet & community radio stations and went to #1 in Brooklyn, NY, #3 in Whittier, CA and #6 in New Hampshire. Charles Law and Jagged's song "Darlin'" was also included on CMJ's "Certain Damage" nationwide in-store compilation CD alongside Elvis Costello, Cassandra Brown and Massive Attack.
"Choices", Charles' latest release (2013) includes guest artists Kevin McCormick (Jackson Browne, Melissa Etheridge, David Crosby) on bass and Stevie DiStanislao (David Crosby, David Gilmour) on drums, and a duet with Delaney Gibson.
The Charles Law Band video "Corin", directed by Russell Kostner, was premiered at the Hollywood International Student Film Festival, check it out here
http://youtu.be/gyqBBeo_CTo
At 13 years old, Charles would sneak into his neighbor's house to play guitar. Charles received his own guitar after agreeing to play Johnny Cash songs for his family. By 15 years of age, Charles was playing latin-style jams with the Latino 13th Street boys in Santa Paula, California. Charles is an accomplished singer/songwriter and an exciting acoustic guitar performer. In addition to the reputation for his intense vocals, guitar slapping technique and screaming electric guitar leads in his former rock band "Zero Discipline," Charles also plays a variety of stringed and percussive instruments.
"Soulful rock to melodic funk, a percussion genius and natural 'funkstress' bass that dabbles in soothing bass lines - 'soul-rock" Boris Federov, KSCU 103.3FM, Santa Clara
"Singer-songwriter-guitarist Law is best known for his intense vocals and tendency to unmercifully assault his acoustic guitar ... sounds better than the usual bar fare." Matthew Singer, The Reporter
"Monster sexy" April Theriault, Green Man
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