Bio
"You might not know where I'm coming from,
but you know where I'm going!"
– Charluxx
Bring the funk down!
Hi!, it’s Charluxx.
I was born in Montreal, I grew up in the United States, Canada, Cameroon and Tunisia. I have traveled a lot. I lived in Europe, and I currently reside in Canada. I’m a citizen of the world.
I call my music Sexy Funk. It’s a brand new groove. It’s sexy and it’s funky! Born out of a lifetime of musical education listening to my sonic heroes: Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Alan Parsons, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Erykah Badu, Grace Jones, Van Morrison, 10cc, Gentle Giant, Donna Summer, Beethoven, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Suzi Quatro, Herbie Hancock, Natalie Merchant, Stanley Clarke, Patti Smith... and so many others! I’ve written a song called Thank You! [Sexy] that addresses that, look for it on the Sexy Funk Album.
Throughout my life I’ve played guitar, piano, keyboard, but as an instrumentalist, I mostly consider myself a bassist. You’ll hear that in my music. As a musician, I write music and lyrics. I record everything—guitar, vocals, bass, keyboard—in my tiny home studio (check out my gear below.) I take the finished songs to my two acolytes, the dynamic duo of Mark Gibson and Pascal Lavallée over at a small recording studio in a town nearby. We polish, mix and master the songs there.
It took me a long time to find my voice, but now that it has been found it shall not go silent.
I’ll be releasing a few albums in the near future... and quite a few singles in between!
Check out my store to purchase my music.
Look for my weekly music column Philosophy Fridays in the blog section. And while you’re there add your voice to the Forum, I’m trying to build a community of like minded souls.
Sign up for my newsletter, you’ll be notified when I release a new song and you’ll receive a free ringtone as a welcome gift.
Peace and Love,
Charluxx.
Photo by Danny Landry – www.dannylandry.com
Kid Charluxx
Gear
My Setup
You don't have to be rich to make and record music. I've been doing it on a shoestring budget, essentially paid for with the tips I make working as a cook in a café in a little town nestled at the foot of a mountain... Here's what I use to create and record my music...
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)
I have an Apple computer. I've had Apple computers all my working life. I've had a few PCs as well but I always come back to Mac, mostly because that's what I know and feel comfortable with, and as a graphic designer it's pretty much the norm. It's not the fastest computer, but I was lucky enough to be able to (barely) afford one.
$2,649.00
Logic Pro
This is a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), basically a recording studio, and what I work my magic in. Years ago I used a program called Cubase on an Atari computer. When I started making music again, I used GarageBand, the free software that comes with the Mac. Last year I upgraded to Logic Pro and I love it. It isn't perfect, but I can live with it's little quirks... it kinda makes it endearing. It's awesome and you simply cannot beat the price.
$279.00
https://www.apple.com/ca/logic-pro/
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio
This—according to my mastering engineer—is the best deal around. It's a USB audio interface, a condenser microphone and headphones, basically all you need to record vocals and instruments into Logic Pro. I absolutely adore it! Plus it's black and red, one of my favorite color combo.
$349.99
https://focusrite.com/usb-audio-interface/scarlett/scarlett-2i2-studio
AKAI MPK Mini mkII (Red)
Best birthday gift EVAR! I had a huge Korg TR 61 Workstation that I couldn't use because my studio is too small, so I sold it. This little keyboard is so tiny, it fits on my desk and I play everything on it. It absolutely rules!! I recommend it above all else!
$129.00
https://www.akaipro.com/mpk-mini-mkii
Slammer Hamer Chaparral Bass - CP4 (Red Metallic)
I've had a few basses over the years, mostly Yamahas as I liked the sound they produce. I sold my last bass a few years ago in one of my many moves. I found this second hand (or more!.. year unknown) bass on Facebook's marketplace. It looks awesome in shinny red with a perl white scratch plate. It's a cheap bass, but It sounds like a bass should: low and gritty. I can modify its sound ad infinitum in Logic Pro. I Love it.
$100.00
http://www.slammerguitars.com/cp4.cfm
2017 Les Paul SL Epiphone Electric Guitar (Turquoise)
I've always loved guitars and have owned a few in my life. This one I fell in love with the moment I set eyes on it. It's very light, quite thin, the color is striking, the shape is timeless. It was as inexpensive as a guitar can be. Right now, it is my one and only guitar.
$169.00
http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Les-Paul/Les-Paul-SL.aspx
Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones (Defiant Black‑Red)
Okay, so this was a bit of an indulgence. Allow me to explain. I was actually using my iPhone's earphones/microphone to record vocals and mix (no kidding.) I really needed some good headphones (and a decent microphone) so when I saw these on sale ($200 off!) I couldn't resist. I wanted to get them not because they are the best sounding headphones, but because a lot of people use them and I want to make sure my music sounds good on them.
$200
Charluxx Logo
Unity
I wanted a logo that was unique, represented me well, and was also a call to action.
So I started with the shape of the XXs and made them into a representation of two human figures with their arms raised into the air. This was inspired by the iconic photograph of Tommie Smith and John Carlos' podium victory celebration at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. They followed in the footsteps of Jesse Owens in their silent, graceful and powerful protest. These three men are giants and their message is of paramount importance, even more so today.
Their's was a defiant gesture, much like Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the National anthem (a BIG shoutout to Colin, my man!) It was a political and social statement. It was against injustice, against racism. It was for unity. It was a call to action.
On a lighter note, I used my two favorite colors: purple and red (more on that in a forthcoming post.)
The XXs are touching and overlapping each other equally, they are united and are stronger that way.
I also wanted them to stand alone without my name attached.
For the font, I used Agency FB, one of my preferred fonts. I find it slightly quirky, distinctive, and dynamic, qualities I see in myself.
I call my logo UNITY: that's what it means to me.
I hope it inspires you.
Charluxx.
Sexy Funk Records
Sexy Funk Records
Groovy!
I started Sexy Funk Records to self-publish my first Album.
My plan is to eventually sign other like-minded artists that adhere to the overall Sexy Funk ideology: a funky blend of music with a social conscience and positive vibes... groovy indeed.
SFR: Where the Funk's At!
Charluxx.