In the breezy, coastal town of Fort Myers, Florida, a city bustling with a constant parade of sunburnt tourists and sprightly college students, the electrifying music scene of original artists and blazing cover bands provide a constant feed of late-night entertainment. As the sun sets beneath the waves and the stars arise, the passionate ballads and vitalizing bass riffs of local musicians flood through the cracked doors of down-town clubs and beachside cafes, consuming curious onlookers with both intrigue and undeniable zeal.

While the enclave corners and nocturnal crowd of East Fort Myers tend most regularly to the soulful strums of Western melodies and honkey-tonk tunes, on rather exclusive occasions, a new riveting face of modern punk-rock has belted her way into the limelight.

Introducing an unforeseen, yet captivating presence for contemporary rebellion to a recognizably obstinate crowd, this enigmatic character not only perpetually embodies, but strengthens the diligent, everlasting ambitions of the punk-feminism movement of the 1990s. Channeling retro muses like Riot Grrrl and Blondie – all in an environment recognized for its Southern roots, this young star surfs among the gulf’s horizon.

Welcome to the invigorating life of Charlie Pace, just one of the many bewitching talents belonging to Southwest Florida’s punk-rock community.

Like many of history’s great personalities, Charlie’s story began rather humbly. A Sunshine State native, her introduction to a lifestyle revolving around music was a fate which seemed to have been lined in her cards all along. In an industry as increasingly competitive as music, the significance of an artist’s presence can be, and often is, determined by an element as simple as their stage name. Born Charlie Lynn Rain, Charlie was then adopted at the age of six by the Pace family, providing her with an opportunity to develop the perfect stage name, one both distinct and riveting.

But aside from possessing a title perfect for any dive-bar classic, even from her younger years, Charlie both recognized – and utilized – her creative talents. Investing in her own innovation, much of her childhood consisted of indulging in the arts – whether that be painting, recycling and designing her own clothes, or simply scribbling impromptu lyrics into a notebook.

“It was my way of escapism,” Charlie noted. “It always makes me feel whole, so I never really stop making things.”

Given her ingenious instinct, it was only a matter of time before the young starlet’s talent faced larger crowds. Earning the start of her performance career at the age of eleven, Charlie made her public debut performing covers at the annual Everglades City Seafood Festival in her hometown, covering country and honky-tonk tunes tending to the largely Western crowd. Over the next couple of years, her artistry took a rather atypical turn given her Southern roots, as she began her exploration and experimentation in the blues and funk genre, ultimately guiding her journey towards the empowering world of rock ‘n’ roll.

It is from this catalyst that Charlie Pace, a young girl from rural Southern Florida with a natural gift, became Charlie Pace, an equally powerful and passionate voice of empowerment for Florida’s growing punk scene outside of the urban streets.

But how does a young performer make such an impactful presence from such a young age?  

While her striking artistry may have come naturally, Charlie expressed that much of her on-stage persona has been long derived from artists she grew up viewing, and eventually idolizing, as a child. For the average young adult, those artists commonly allude to stars stemming from childhood Disney Channel originals and Nickelodeon specials, framing a large portion of their identity for years ahead. However, Charlie revealed that a large portion of her creative inspiration has been acquired from two of Hollywood’s largest pop-icons, Cher and Christina Aguliera, specifically after watching the dynamic duo star in the 2010 blockbuster, Burlesque. 

 “They were entertainers, not just singers,” said Charlie. “So, I still take that with me on stage. I only wanted to be as bold and enticing as they were.”

Though the detailed eccentricity curated within her personal style, or entrancing confidence exhumed during performances successfully encapsulates audiences at local venues, another attribute much less common captures the attention of rich peculiarity; her effortless attitude of simply not caring.

Like many Southern regions, diversity isn’t always appreciated in Southwest Florida. Everglades City, Naples, and Fort Myers welcome a particularly severe reputation of homogeny. And when working in an industry that heavily profits off of individuality, the community which surrounds an artist is often just as crucial as their art itself. However, that’s not to say that creative expression inevitably falls into a one-size-fits-all model, withholding exploration and appreciation.

“If you’re different from normal, people are going to look at you funny. But that doesn’t mean that some of them won’t try to get to know you.” 

When it comes to artistic expression, there is no such thing as true congruity. When your creative work is admirable enough to appeal to a diverse range of audiences, inhibitions become nothing more than stumbling blocks in the long paved path of unity. 

“I’ve played shows and had the most Southern, conservative people tell me they loved it. But keep in mind that I have orange hair, a crazy outfit, and am preaching love and equality the entire time. The only true obstacle is if you let people get in your way, whether that be the crowd, or the people you play with on stage.”

Pace’s talent branches out towards her other project, promptly named CAAM, which initially began after Pace and a few high school classmates shared the spontaneous idea of creating a band. Soon after, what was once just a mere idea became a rousing reality.

A common theme in Charlie’s work, both projects strive to demand attention towards some of society’s most pressing issues such as social change, equality, and justice, a similar parallel to other feminist rockers such as Paramore’s Hailey Williams and Kathleen Hanna of Le Tigre. 

“For CAAM I’d say it’s a lot of feminism and female led bands that inspire us. We really want to be unfiltered and rightfully angry.” 

Though both Pace’s solo project and CAAM ironically find their home in the belly of conservatism, an underground hub exists amidst the extremist calamity. In the unsuspecting community of Cape Coral, just miles away from downtown Fort Myers, a small spot provides a heart for an enormous crowd. Ollie’s Pub, a local dive bar and record shop, is a safe space where so many in the local punk and alternative scene find their home. Hosting weekly events ranging from mellow trivia nights to electric darkwave discos, the venue speaks for itself, a true specialty veiling infinite discoveries. Whether that be through the live entertainment, vinyl, or bathroom stall graffiti, Ollies, and the community surrounding it, strives to be a haven for individuality and inclusivity.

“I would really like to mention Ollie’s and the music community I’m around,” said Charlie. “When things get knocked down, I’ve watched the punk community hold each other together. All we want to do is make music with a passion and meaning. We just want a safe place to create, and to be surrounded by people who enjoy it.”

When the first few breaths of the punk movement sprung to life in the late 1970s, it began as a response to the multiple countercultural movements popularized by protests of the late 60s. By the 80s and 90s the very word “punk” had developed a distinct association with rebellion, and nonconformity, accompanied by several experimental fashion elements such as authentic leather jackets, Doc Martens, and metal spikes glued to, quite literally, anything and everything. No matter how you prefer to spell it, the most telling characteristic of the punk rock subculture, and the community it belongs to, is its ability to adapt and overcome all bounds. Whether it be hundreds of protestors with spiked hair and steel-toed boots stomping up and down the streets of Manhattan, or one young woman with orange hair and a guitar in Fort Myers, Florida, to be “punk” is to be fearless, confident, and cosmic. And if there are two things that the movement continues to prove, it’s that community has no boundaries, and expression has no limits.

It is through this support that Charlie was nominated for multiple awards from the 2023 Josie Music Awards based in Nashville, Tennessee, for her work on her latest album, Hear Me Out, released earlier this year. One song in particular, “Pink Boa Man” received a nomination for Song Of The Year from a Pop/Single Songwriter. Other nominations include Multi-genre Female Artist of the Year, as well as Multi-genre Vocalist of the Year. Charlie’s album strives to highlight multiple themes such as morality, mental health, and self-identity – all subjects held very dearly to Charlie and many others.

“You gotta wear your heart on your sleeve and stay true. Never try to fit in, and fight for your music and your message.”

Just one of many, Charlie’s mission to promote her music and passion is a sturdy stepping stone to maintaining transparency in Florida’s music scene, and keeping the spirit of punk alive, even in the most unsuspecting demographics. To be a leading example for unapologetic authenticity is a truly magnetic element, one that sets the tone for change years to come. As for the state of Florida, and the many subcultures that compose its charm, there is sincere hope that solidarity will thrive, and in return, punk, and all the creativity which stems from it, will remain and flourish. 

“This music community is only getting stronger and stronger. No matter how bad things get, it can’t seem to stop growing. It’s truly beautiful to see both communities I’m in become some of the best places on Earth.”