Charles Maimarosia is a unique and extraordinary Solomon Islands singer and musician, raised in the remote Pipisu village of Malaita. He is renowned for being a singer of important custom knowledge, drawing equally on traditional and contemporary musical styles.

Charles developed a profound interest in ‘Are’Are music at a young age after inheriting his first hand made coconut shell ukulele from his father.

He later began performing amongst the community, communicating ancient songs of his ancestors with hand-made pan pipes. In a recent interview on ABC’s Pacific Beat, Charles further explains this aspect of his artistic practice:

“The stories and poems and things that I mentioned passed through oral, not written words but oral, one generation could pass that knowledge to another generation and these elderly people are the libraries.”

In 2020 Charles released the single A’mamiuru to raise funds for the community in Solomon Islands after a ferry disaster caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold.

He has performed in Taiwan, through Europe and North America in 2022 Charles received the MAV Diaspora Award at the Music Victoria Ceremony and in January 2023 performed in Honiara as part of the Australian High Commission / Wantok Musik Concerts.

In 2024 Charles performed at Cygnet Folk Festival, WOMAD and National Folk Festival. Charles is releasing and touring his new album Hote’ Hote’ in 2025.

New album 2025 – Hote’ Hote’

Charles Maimarosia delivers his first full length album Hote’ Hote’, following up from his critically acclaimed EP ‘Are’Are.

Recorded with Andrew Robinson and released by Wantok Musik, the 12 tracks showcase Charles’ exceptional blend of contemporary and traditional sounds. 

With panpipes and ‘Are’Are language alongside exquisitely rendered guitar, bass and drums, the songs range from traditional stories about the sea and the stars, to sweet love songs, to high-spirited party and celebration songs.