Charlie Cunningham

Charlie Cunningham

Charlie Cunningham is an English singer-songwriter based in Oxford. He is from London and is identified with indie folk and singer-songwriter music. Born in 1984, he builds songs around acoustic guitar, using a percussive and finger-picked style that gives his performances a distinct rhythmic feel.

Songwriting and style

Cunningham’s writing often focuses on intimate, reflective ideas. The EP Outside Things is noted for combining clear, direct songwriting with detailed guitar playing. Its title track takes the perspective of a newborn baby, using that viewpoint to explore a state that cannot be remembered by the person experiencing it. The record carries a persistent sense of longing, and the songs make use of pauses and quiet breaks as part of their structure.

Outside Things

The track In One Out opens the EP with a melodic but sombre mood, supported by finger-picked guitar. Lights Off and Plans move slightly away from that intensity, with less movement and more space between phrases. The EP also shows the influence of time Cunningham spends in Seville, where he develops the guitar technique associated with his work.