Charlie Straight

Not to be confused with Charley Straight.

Charlie Straight
Charlie Straight in 2008
Charlie Straight in 2008
Background information
OriginTřinec, Czech Republic
Genres
Years active2006–2013
LabelsStraight Behaviour
Past membersAlbert Černý
Michal Šupák
Johnny Cienciala
Pavel Pilch
Websitecharliestraight.com

Charlie Straight were a Czech indie rock band formed in Třinec in 2006. They combined indie rock with melodic and often electronic musical elements, and all their lyrics were sung in English. They released two studio albums and won a number of awards, before breaking up in 2013. Lead singer Albert Černý went on to form the indie pop group Lake Malawi, who represented the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

History

Charlie Straight was formed in 2006 by Albert Černý (lead vocals), Jan Cienciala (bass), Michal Šupák (guitar, programming), and Pavel Pilch (drums). Pilch had been Černý's drum teacher, as well as playing in several jazz bands with Šupák, an AMU graduate. Cienciala had been a classmate of Černý's in grammar school and they had also played music together.

The band released their debut album, She's a Good Swimmer, in 2009.[2] In addition to receiving positive reviews, the record was nominated for a Český slavík award and won three prizes at that year's Anděl Awards, in the categories Discovery of the Year, Best Music Video ("Platonic Johny"), and Best Album.[3] They played numerous concerts[4] and festivals,[5] and garnered a fan base not only locally but even abroad.[6][7]

In 2010, Charlie Straight won the first MTV Europe Music Award for Best Czech & Slovak Act. It was presented by crooner Karel Gott.[8] A year later, they received the same honour.[9]

In 2012, the band released their sophomore record, titled Someone with a Slow Heartbeat. A year later, they toured the UK,[10] released the single "I Sleep Alone", featuring vocals by Markéta Irglová,[11] and won an Anděl Award for Song of the Year with "Coco". Later the same year, they announced that they were splitting up. Albert Černý formed the indie pop group Lake Malawi, guitarist Michal Šupák launched the band Noisy Pots,[12] and bassist Johnny Cienciala started the project Big Destiny.

Band members

  • Albert Černý – vocals, guitar
  • Jan Cienciala – bass
  • Michal Šupák – guitar, programming
  • Pavel Pilch – drums

Discography

Albums

  • She's a Good Swimmer (2009)
  • Someone with a Slow Heartbeat (2012)

Singles

  • "I Sleep Alone (feat. Markéta Irglová)" (2013)

Awards

References

  1. ^ "There's More to European Pop Than Eurovision". theguardian.com. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Vysoko nad průměrem" [High Above Average]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 15 June 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Andělé bez křídel skončili triumfem Charlie Straight" [Wingless Angels End in Triumph for Charlie Straight]. aktualne.cz (in Czech). 18 April 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Třinecký fenomén předvedl své umění" [Třinec Phenomenon Demonstrate Their Art]. musicserver.cz (in Czech). 2 June 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Colours of Ostrava". kulturavregionech.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Charlie Straight". songkick.com. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Mama Presents". mamacolive.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Charlie Straight uhranuli diváky MTV a dostali cenu!" [Charlie Straight Enchanted MTV Viewers and Won the Prize!]. tn.nova.cz (in Czech). 15 October 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Charlie Straight". wavesvienna.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Charlie Straight Hooks London". shatterjapan.com. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  11. ^ "I Sleep Alone (feat. Markéta Irglová)". music.apple.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Noisy Pots". soundczech.cz. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Ceny Anděl 2021" [Anděl Awards 2021]. idnes.cz (in Czech). 19 March 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Ceny Anděl 2012" [Anděl Awards 2012]. cenyandel.cz (in Czech). 16 March 2013. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2021.