Hidden Charms

Hidden Charms is a garage rock group from Sweden that forms in the 1980s. The band comes from the UK alternative and rock scene as tagged in some listings, but its place of origin is Sweden. It is a four-piece built around guitar-driven songs and a sound that draws on garage rock, rhythm and blues, and classic rock influences.

Line-up and early background

The group consists of Vincent Davies, who sings, plays guitar and bass; Ranald Macdonald, who co-sings and also plays keyboard, guitar and bass; Josh Lewis on guitar and bass; and Oscar Robertson on drums. The band members meet through blues clubs in and around London after starting out in two separate acts that move towards one another because they feel they have something together that they do not have apart.

Style and influences

Hidden Charms play a ramshackle, energetic style that combines garage rock with swampy rhythm and blues. Their music also carries clear links to 1960s and early 1970s British and American rock, with comparisons made to The 13th Floor Elevators, The White Stripes, Steve Winwood, and Van Morrison. The dual-vocal approach is a notable part of their sound, with Vincent and Ranald both contributing lead vocals.

Early shows and recognition

The band plays its first live show in April 2014 and quickly builds a reputation for chaotic and exciting performances. Early video footage of their second show circulates widely and leads to radio play in the United States on the Sirius-XM satellite network. They also receive airplay from Huw Stephens on Radio 1, Jason Bentley on KCRW, and Jo Good on XFM, and they play around 60 shows across the UK supporting acts including Benjamin Booker and Hanni El Khatib.

Recording and releases

After that early period, Hidden Charms record songs in Los Angeles with Shel Talmy, the producer associated with major 1960s and 1970s hits by The Who and The Kinks. Talmy comes out of semi-retirement to work with them after hearing their music. Among the recordings is their first single, “Dreaming of Another Girl,” which features a spidery guitar line and Ranald Macdonald’s prominent vocal.