Evan Charles

Evan Charles is an Austin-based songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his emotionally resonant lyrics, hypnotic voice, and richly textured sound. Blending the grit of Americana with the nuance of folk and the ambition of artful rock, his music carries a rare mix of precision, depth, and soul. Whether fronting a full band or performing solo, Charles brings a sharp, introspective lens to every line he sings. His 2023 solo debut Between Two Worlds broke through with a #5 spot on the Alt-Country Specialty Chart and a feature in No Depression, introducing a broader audience to what Austin had known for years. Before releasing music under his own name, Charles recorded two full-length albums as Altamesa—The Long Ride Home (2016) and Idol Frontier (2019)—both earning 4-star reviews from The Austin Chronicle and solidifying his place in the city’s songwriting landscape. Now comes Echoes at Dawn, a record that deepens and expands his sonic world. Co-produced by Jonas Wilson (Heartless Bastards) and Ricky Ray Jackson (Phosphorescent, Will Johnson, Steve Earle and the Dukes), the album weaves together analog synths, pedal steel, piano, and layered percussion into a sweeping, evocative backdrop for Charles’s
lyrical explorations.

Influenced by Leonard Cohen, Spoon, Neko Case, and later-period Beatles, as well as the writings of Fernando Pessoa, T.S. Eliot, Carl Jung, and the Bhagavad Gita, the album follows a loose seasonal arc inspired by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, tracking a life’s emotional journey from spring to winter.

The record features a trusted circle of collaborators: Z Lynch (Dawes, The Let Down), Wes Cargal, Davy Hamrick, Jazz Mills, and Carrie Fussell. Standout tracks like “Price of Love,” “Mariabronn,” and “Trouble Girl” reveal a songwriter at the height of his craft, unafraid to take risks in sound and subject matter.

Across nearly two decades of performing, Charles has appeared at SXSW, Luck Reunion, and the Austin Music Awards, where he performed on the same stage as Robert Plant and Britt Daniel. As part of Project ATX6, he toured internationally to Canada and Thailand, with the resulting documentary Lift Me Up airing nationally on PBS. He has shared the stage with Chris Masterson (The Wallflowers, Steve Earle), contributed to tribute projects alongside Shandon Sahm and Kyle Ellison, and even appeared in a film featuring a cameo from David Bowie.

In a world full of noise, Evan Charles cuts through with clarity and purpose. With a magnetic live show, a growing body of visionary work, and a voice that stays with you long after the last note, he’s not just one to watch—he’s one you won’t forget.