Victoria-based indie rock band OK Charlie is set to release their debut album, The Underground, in March 2025.
The four-man group, known for its distinctive indie rock sound with an artistic edge, has captivated local audiences for several years.
Now, with their first full-length album on the way, the band is preparing for even more.
The band’s upcoming album, The Underground, is a reflection of the trials and triumphs the members have experienced in their personal lives.
“I think it’s symbolic of when things aren’t going right in life. When that happens, you often retreat to your roots," said OK Charlie’s manager, songwriter, and lead singer Mitchell Hahn. "The Underground is symbolic of retreating to a place that’s deeper, that might have some scary ideas in it, but you’re able to return on the other side in a better spot.”
What makes the release even more exciting is that the band worked with Juno-winning producer Howard Redekopp to bring their vision to life.
Redekopp has worked with several bands in his award-winning career, including Tegan and Sara, and Mother Mother.
Hahn shared that he took a chance by sending Redekopp a couple of their demo tracks, and to their surprise, the producer responded with enthusiasm. “These are cool, let’s do something!” he said.
Hahn says that their musical inspiration spans multiple genres.
"Just like many bands, our musical inspiration comes from the Beatles," Hahn said. "Outside of them, Vampire Weekend are a very talented group. We model our music style on anyone that tries to add extra magic and flair to their work."
Hahn’s description of the band’s sound highlights their passion for blending creativity with musical tradition, aiming to craft something unique for their growing fan base.
The band is made up of Hahn, Dustin Barden, Louis Rudner, and Graham Stark, all of whom bring their own unique talent to the group.
Hahn and Stark initially met while studying at a music college in Nelson, and their shared musical vision has since turned into the core of OK Charlie's dynamic sound.
Since April 2024, the band has released six original songs, establishing themselves in Victoria’s local music scene.
One of their standout moments came last summer when they were invited to perform at the 2024 Phillips Backyard Music Festival, Tilt.
“We were just so honoured to be invited to the festival," said Hann. "Opening up the whole event, we knew that we needed to set the tone and make sure we were having a good time with the audience."
For the band, one particular moment from that performance stands out.
"There was one moment that we will never forget. We have one song on the slower side, called Awful, that we were really nervous to perform. When the song reached its climax, we got the biggest applause to date. It was a great feeling."
As the band looks toward their album release, they continue to perform regularly at Darcy’s Pub in Victoria every Friday night at 10, giving local fans a chance to experience their energetic and engaging live shows.
With a debut album and a growing fan base, OK Charlie plans to perform at more venues later this year, and hopes to share more details soon.
