Wes blends his musicianship with sophisticated lyrics, Americana roots, and contemporary themes, to paint a profoundly haunting portrait of growing up in modern America.

 

Wes placed in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition, and his past conference showcases include the Midwest Music Summit (IN) and Americana Music Conference (Nashville). He was also completed a prestigious publisher-sanctioned recording project for Arc Music Group for the back catalogue of John Lee Hooker & Sonny Boy Williamson.

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Charlton’s first album, American Bittersweet, was self-released to critical acclaim. Numerous songs were licensed to television and film. He then moved to Nashville, TN where he was quickly embraced by the thriving independent music scene there. Headlining at such prestigious venues as the Basement, 3rd & Lindsley, and The Bluebird Café, Wes also found time to record his second full-length album, World On Fire, which was released by Judy Collins' Wildflower Records. The record has been highly praised, numerous songs have been featured on both television and film, and the lead single, Red Eyes, Blue Lights, enjoyed extensive radio play following the album’s release.

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Charlton has since relocated back to the Virginia countryside and has released two more critically acclaimed albums of original songs -- Morning Stars (2018 Vox Records) and Breaking Light (2020 End of the Road Records). 

 

Morning Stars was produced by Stewart Myers (Jason Mraz, Liz Phair, Gomes, Johnathan Rice, Shawn Colvin), and includes a host of top players such as Daniel Clarke (War on Drugs, Ryan Adams), Kevin Salem (Yo La Tengo, Dumptruck, Rachael Yamagata), and John O’Reilly, Jr. (Fun, El Vy). 

 

Breaking Light was produced, engineered, performed, and recorded all by Wes, with Myers mixing the tracks. Both albums were selected as NPR's Album of the Week. 

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Charlton's newest album, Father Please Put the War Away, is slated for release in January 2024 by Right Recordings, LTD. Look for the title track and first single in September 2023.

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AMERICAN BITTERSWEET PRESS 
"He has that sound that pop music has been missing: a sincere, young singer with something to say and haunting melodies to match. His confident sound makes it astounding that he's only 21! He's what smart, hip kids have been waiting for and what adults will definitely appreciate. I know I'm hooked!" -- Anna Goodman-Herrick, Producer, MTV, Los Angeles 

"One of the best alt-country records I've heard in a long time. Great songs and an amazing production, which perfectly mixes "modern sounds" and classic Americana to create what should become the road for others to follow." --Kenneth Higney, Vice President, Arc Music Group, NYC 

"Great melodies, creative hooks and some very exciting textures and blends. I really had a great time working on this album, and it sounds amazing!" --Fred Kevorkian, Absolute Audio, NYC 

"Wes Charlton is a unique and distinctly American voice whose country & folk soul is drunk with addictive pop melodies. American Bittersweet is his exploration into his own soulful songwriting with the landscape of the South to inspire him and the result is a powerful, far-ranging and emotionally commanding debut album." --Leah Manners, Station Mgr WCWM 90.7 FM Williamsburg, VA 

"Wes is as good a young songwriter as any I have ever worked with." --Chris Keup, Co-writer/Prod- Johnathan Rice & Jason Mraz, VA 

"Wes Charlton is a new singer/songwriter with a depth of maturity and soul rarely heard on a debut record." --Jules Herbert, Buyer, Barnes & Noble, NYC 

"Good songs - great lyrics!" --Marshall Chess, NYC" 

 

WORLD ON FIRE PRESS  

From Gaesteliste,de, Internet Music Magazine, by Annett Bonkowski:

“Anyone seeking earthy music from the heart…will certainly not be disappointed by this album.” 

From Melodic.net, by Par Winberg:

“Take…Tom Waits…add some beautiful Sparklehorse vibes…and some Springsteen…Wes is doing his stuff good….The songwriting is solid. His voice is mighty fine and the third one out, ‘Red Eyes, Blue Lights,’ is just lovely… ‘The Wait’ could have been a track on the ‘Nebraska’ album with Springsteen. High class stuff.”