Charles Bueller has been lurking in the shadows of London’s rich and thronged music scene, preparing for his time to bestow his tender serenades unto the world.
It’s been a long time coming, but ‘The Mess’ has finally beamed into being courtesy of cult hero Peter Doherty’s label, Strap Originals.
As if the backing of this highly regarded indie prince wasn’t enough, Bueller’s debut single and his upcoming EP marks a debut for Doherty on production.
Labelled South London’s answer to Jacques Brel and Leonard Cohen, Charles Bueller’s debut EP will release on 15th January 2027 via Strap Originals. To mark the occasion, the Southampton artist will be playing a celebratory set at The Marquis, Covent Garden tonight (11th November).
Talking of ‘The Mess’, Bueller said: “I felt it important to be completely honest in portraying the grittier aspects of a decaying relationship. You notice that you are doing no good for each other but carnal impulses keep you inseparable.”
He continues: “There’s parallels to the protagonist in Phillip Roth’s Portnoy’s Complaint, who has these intense ethical impulses that constantly battle compulsive sexual desires. Before the first vocal take, I remember Peter (Doherty) saying to me “Imagine the person you wrote this for is listening on a battered old wireless, they’re never going to hear this song again – tell them how you feel.” I told them and that’s the take we kept. I initially said I thought it was too fragile, he told me there was no such thing.”
Bueller first caught the ear of Strap Originals after Peter Doherty stumbled across Charles, performing in front of one man and his dog, at an after-hours club in East London and fell in love with his theatricality, poetic lyrics and emotional intensity. Soon after Charles joined The Libertines’ tour bus and quickly became Peter Doherty’s go-to opening act across Europe.
The Southampton-born, London-based singer/songwriter’s work is defined by a deeply felt fusion of heartbreak, dark humour and radical confession. ‘The Mess’ is one of three original tracks from the forthcoming EP, along with the forthcoming ‘Tall Handsome James’ and ‘Birthday’, to have been produced by Peter during sessions at Studio Opus in Normandy, France. Two covers – Britney Spears’ ‘One More Time’ and The Crystals’ ‘Then He Kissed Me’ – recorded at Bueller’s home studio in Brixton complete the tracklist.
On The Mess, Bueller’s tender croon and gently-plucked acoustic guitar, is underpinned by the steadfast Carl Vermont (bass) and Louis Duarte (drums, percussion). Meanwhile, Katia deVidas-Doherty’s almost whispered backing vocal provides the melodic counterpoint that drives the song.
The video has a ‘True Romances’ magazine story feel, was directed by the award-winning Peter Lydon (Shameless, Poirot, Fresh Meat). The shoot took place over one afternoon in Margate, at the seafront and in The Albion Rooms music studio and bar.
Written by Brad Halcrow for The Songbird HQ