INTERVIEW: Brand new single from Charlie Kogen

Los Angeles-based Charlie Kogen is an artist who’s earned a reputation for his versatility, curiosity and a deep respect for storytelling through sound. A singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, he began writing songs at 13 after years of piano study, driven by an early fascination with pop across all eras. His music has always been less about fitting into a box and more about exploring its edges, a philosophy that’s guided him across various genres, stages and mediums.

On his decorated musical journey, h’s had music placed on TV, won the prestigious National YoungArts competition in 2019 and performed his original work at the Kennedy Center. Alongside his solo career, he’s also played in ensembles in rock, jazz and salsa styles, constantly adding new influences to his sonic output. While music has remained his passion, he briefly stepped away to pursue academics, earning a degree in International Relations from Stanford. That detour, however, only focused his perspective and since returning to Los Angeles he’s been fully immersed in writing and producing, both for his own project and for collaborations with other musicians.

His work now extends into film composition, where his knack for story-driven songwriting finds a natural home in cinematic soundscapes. Each of these pursuits reinforces his central ethos that music should tell stories, evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression. His recorded output reflects that context; in 2019, he released his debut album Songs from the Front Seat and since then, he’s shared a series of singles that highlight his range, from intimate reflections to expansive, genre-blurring outings. Now, Charlie returns with his latest single titled “Not Wastin’ Time” which signals the beginning of an exciting new wave of music.

Drawing inspiration from 70s and 80s yacht rock, the track blends vintage aesthetic with a modern pop flair, offering something, retro-tinged, nostalgic and forward-looking all at once. Propelled by smooth grooves, slick production and heartfelt lyricism, it’s a feel-good release that maintains his blend of sophistication and emotional impact. Thematically, the track explores the craving for instant gratification, whether through dating apps, endless scrolling or small indulgences like green tea mochi. It’s an observation that feels widely relatable in today’s culture of constant stimulation, delivered with a self-aware charm that captures both the humour and frustration of the habit.

Brought in by warm key tones and Charlie’s soulful vocal leads, the soft pulse of bass and snap of drums brings in a shimmering arrangement that flows with stunning power pop vibes. Brimming with delightful melodic writing and thoughtful lyrics cut with intricate instrumental flourishes, Charlie’s voice shines throughout to deliver a dazzling classic pop experience that’s thoroughly catchy and utterly timeless from start to finish.

Gliding with danceable rhythms, feel-good energy and peppered with sensational lead saxophone performance, “Not Wastin’ Time” sees Charlie Kogen return with a magical musical moment that’s sure to win over fans around the world. As he jumps into a new artistic chapter, we can’t wait to see what comes next from this exciting singer-songwriting with a truly compelling musical vision.

We caught up with Charlie Kogen to find out more about his musical story so far, his new single “Not Wastin’ Time” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Charlie Kogen below.

Hey Charlie, how’s things?

Things are good! I was traveling for a bit, but now I’m back in LA, I just put out my new single, and I’m getting ready for some more gigs to close out 2025!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I remember, when I was about 6 or 7, watching the way my piano teacher moved his hands, and listening to the notes he was playing. I was just starting to take lessons, and though I was a pretty precocious kid in other ways, I found sightreading very difficult. If my piano teacher played it slowly enough, I could tell how many notes he was playing at one time and which notes. My earliest memory of actually composing music in a very small way is probably when I was about the same age. I was practicing arpeggios, my left and right hand were playing the same notes an octave apart, and on a whim, I decided to start my right hand a beat earlier than my left hand, and though it wouldn’t strike most people as anything worth listening to, looking back I felt like I was taking something I had learned, changing it up and playing around with different permutations in a way that mirrors my current practice of songwriting and composition.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from music that moves me. This can be anything from a sonata from Beethoven to the crooning of Sinatra to the virtuosity of Stevie Wonder, but I think on a compositional level I am often drawn to music that has a rich melody and harmony that goes to unexpected places. Brian Wilson was also a master at that. Lyrically, I am often drawn to artists like Randy Newman and Paul Simon that inhabit characters through their songs, even if those characters are flawed and not at all connected to the artist. Though I don’t write in this style as often, I also am inspired by more story-driven songs, and I often think about how to convey a story in my songs, albeit more abstractly. I think some of my favorite country artists write stories in song form, and that’s something I’d like to explore more.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

As I mentioned, I listen to all types of music, and I often find something that sparks my interest in random moments of just listening. On a fundamental level, the kind of music I am putting out is often very reflective of the kind of music I’m taking in. Lyrically, I have taken inspiration from events and situations in my own life. I often write from personal experience, but even when it does come from personal experience, I will often use my imagination to make the situation more interesting if I need to! I also studied international relations in college, so I learned a lot about world history and current events and how to put them into a more human context, and whether directly or indirectly, some of those themes come out in my music.

What’s been your highlight for the year so far?

The highlight of my year was probably playing the Hotel Café in August. It’s a venue I’d wanted to play for a long long time, and I’m so happy I got to play it with my band! The sound was amazing, and the room is just so lively. The room I played can fit a lot of people, but it was also intimate enough that even if 10 people showed up It would still feel full from my perspective. I’m grateful that a lot of people did show up!

What do you love about the Los Angeles music scene?

I love that the Los Angeles music scene is super diverse. I’ve been on the bill with fellow singer-songwriters, but I’ve also been on the bill with hard rockers and rappers and folk singers and mariachis, and across all these different genres everyone is super enthusiastic and respectful. There is a deep sense that even within your genre, each artist is unique, and people are happy to celebrate the success of others. I think a lot of people aspire

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I think my music is best enjoyed in a more relaxed, comfortable setting. Though a lot of my music is danceable, I think it’s made more for sitting down than standing up. Maybe it’s best enjoyed driving in your car, not to any particular destination, or maybe just sitting at home drinking a glass of wine. My goal in what I make is to give the listener an experience that both can make them comfortable as they are, but also gtake them somewhere else if I can.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

When I was younger, I thought I had to be more complex than I strive to be now. I often wrote songs from the standpoint of wanting to impress people rather than to express a simple idea in a unique way. Not that my music is not complex anymore, but I’ll choose something more complex if I think it serves the overall sentiment of the song, as opposed to making it complex for complexity’s sake. The older I get, the more I liken songwriting to chiseling a sculpture out of marble. You find the simple things first, and then the complexities will start to fall into place, but ultimately I have to let it go where it wants to go.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

If we’re talking artists currently making music, maybe Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, or Chappell Roan. All three of those artists are really concerned with pop hooks and can write them like nobody’s business, but they also are all willing to go to different places musically if the song calls for it. If we’re talking about any artist living or dead, Quincy Jones and John Prine would also be on the short list. Quincy had a Midas touch for production that I don’t think anyone else quite had, everything from his arrangements for Count Basie that made me fall in love with jazz to his work with pop and R&B artists in the 1980s. And John Prine was such a masterful storyteller and wordsmith, if I worked with him I think I would probably let him write most of the words and I could maybe handle most of the music!

How did you find making your new single “Not Wastin’ Time”?

It was a lot of fun! I got to work with two excellent saxophonists, Jack Lieberman and Jordan DeTiege, who really added a lot to the song. Production-wise, I tried to expand my horizons a bit by adding horns and by using different layers of synth and percussion to create something more groove-driven, and it was definitely a fun creative challenge all throughout!

What message did you want to get across with this release?

I don’t really know if this song has an overt message. The narrator is self-aware in some ways, but has a very unhealthy relationship with the love interest in question. The more obvious interpretation is that the love interest is a person, but there are quite a few love songs that aren’t necessarily about people. Implicitly, this song could be about addictive disorder, whether to a substance or to a device, and feeling like you need something in your life that isn’t necessarily good for you.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Billy Joel. He’s always been one of my heroes as a performer and as a songwriter, but ever since I watched the documentary, I have been reexamining his music with fresh ears since I feel like I know the man a bit better! I also recently saw a friend of mine play in a salsa band. I was part of a salsa band in college for a bit, so I knew some of the songs they played, but I also heard some for the first time that I really liked! I have been listening to classic salsa artists like Celia Cruz and Hector Lavoe, and I am always awestruck by the dynamic vocal performances and the elaborate instrumental arrangements.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I remember watching the movie It’s a Wonderful Life several years ago and getting really emotional. I remember thinking, “this is the kind of art I want to make.” Something that moves people, something that can get to the heart of both our deepest loves and our deepest fears. This is especially true for the slower, more introspective songs I write. I will say that doesn’t apply to every song. If the song is more upbeat, I want people to at least just have fun listening to my song, and to get lost in the sonic textures that I put out.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

My favorite live performance I’ve done might have just been the one I did at Hotel Café! I think I was really deliberate about the songs I chose, and though I talked a little bit about each song before I sang it, I was really intentional in letting the songs speak for themselves. As far as a live performance I attended, I saw Willie Nelson live in 2019 and it blew my mind!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

I think I would have Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, and Beyoncé. All three of them just give everything whenever they perform! Paul is the only one that doesn’t dance, but he’s still touring and performing into his 80s, so I’ll cut him some slack! If there was a way to have a music festival on the Santa Monica Pier, I think that’s where I’d have mine! It’s just such a fun, whimsical location, and obviously it’s got an ocean view, so what could be better? If the Santa Monica Pier won’t work, then maybe Venice Beach would do.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I would say just explore the music you love to listen to, try learning how to play it, try dissecting different pieces of it and making something in that style. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is an excellent book that delves into this creative philosophy of taking things from the art you love and making them original, so I’d highly recommend that to any artist that’s just starting out. There’s no sure path to make it as a musician, but making the music you love and loving the music you make is a good start!

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of the year?

You can expect at least one more single from me by the end of the year. I’ll also have a few more performances in LA, and I’m going to post some more video content on social media!

Listen to Not Wastin’ Time below