Charlie Looker has been active since high school as a singer, guitarist, keyboardist and composer, between the worlds of underground rock and art music. With roots in Metal, Modern Composition, Synth-pop and Early Music, Looker's music has always worked to synthesize diverse influences. While his music has been performed by various ensembles, his primary focus has always been on his own bands. Looker holds a B.A. in Music from Wesleyan University, however he claims to be mostly self-taught.

From 2001 to 2007, Looker was a core member of notorious Brooklyn noise-chamber cooperative Zs. In 2007, Looker formed his own band Extra Life to explore his singing and writing for the voice. Extra Life has released several albums, EP's and singles, receiving wide critical praise, touring constantly and building a devout international following. In 2010, Looker formed the group Seaven Teares to investigate folk and early music aesthetics and instruments. Looker's music has been performed at numerous international festivals including Primavera Sound, Moers, Kilbi and La Terra Trema and has been documented on labels including LOAF, Planaria, ThreeOneG and Sockets. In 2011, Looker founded Last Things Records, a vinyl-only label to release some of his own projects and those of close friends.

Looker's chamber music has been performed by the S.E.M. Ensemble (U.S.A), the Soozvuk Ensemble (Bratislava) and Yarn/Wire (U.S.A.). He has received fellowships from the Ostrava New Music Days Festival (2005) and the Brooklyn Philarmonic (2012). Looker was named one of the top 100 composers under 40 by WQXR. Other credits include work with Dirty Projectors, Tyondai Braxton, Mike Pride, Glenn Branca, William Parker, Dax Riggs, Christian Wolff, Sam Mickens and the Wordless Music Orchestra.