Amy Campbell serves up a type of musical storytelling that feels relevant to the present day, but still has that classic, "old time fave" feel. Lovers of country, roots and certain types of folk will surely appreciate the maturity and emotional connectedness of what Campbell has to offer.
Campbell's latest solo album, 'Oh Heart, Oh Highway' is a special two-disc collection, complete with a book of illustration and prose. The result seems like it would make for a perfect artistic package. Here is what Amy had to say about this project and other aspects of her career:
How did you first enter the world of music? Were you always interested in pursuing it as a career?
I've been playing music in one form or another my whole life. I studied classical piano up until I started university. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13... Somewhere in there I started writing songs. After university I found myself in a band that did pretty well for a few years, and I've been playing music professionally ever since.
You have a very unique and interesting sound. How would you describe it for people that have never heard your music?
I consider myself a lyricist first, and all my songs are built up from the lyric. Live, I play acoustic guitar, and I use open and alternate tunings to create a fuller, richer sound. When I'm in the recording studio I use other instruments - percussion, organs, etc - to accent and colour what I do as a live solo artist.
I understand that your solo debut album, "Oh Heart, Oh Highway" is a double disc album with a book of illustrations and prose included.Why did you decide to incorporate all of this into your debut?
It wasn't so much a decision to do it this way, but rather once I had the idea it would have felt like selling the project short not to follow through with it. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around this recording project, and it wasn't until I saw the over-arching story depicted in the album begin and end that the physical product began to make sense to me.
Where does your song-writing inspiration usually come from?
I'm moved by those moments of emotion that are universal. I like to create a space where any member of the audience can insert their own experience and relate to me and to each other. I try to identify the emotional core of a situation and let the words wend their way back out into a song...
Who are your favourite artists, and how do you think they have influenced your song-writing (if they have)?
I've definitely been influenced by the artists that have gone before me. Most particularly by talented women like Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin - strong musicians and innovative guitar players as well as excellent lyricists. More recently by people like Sarah Harmer and Leslie Feist - artists who write their own material, follow their own paths creatively, and definitely know what to do with an instrument.
Are any of your songs based on an interesting story that you'd like to share?
By the time my idea's become a song, it's usually drawn on more than one experience and various stories that are floating around in my mind. Then it's mixed with a dose of creative license in the interest of crafting something accessible and evocative.
How do you feel about the Canadian music scene? Good? Not so good?
I think there are lots of great things happening in Canadian Music. Like always, there's a mainstream, commercial scene that's making lots of noise, and then there's an undercurrent of great talent, new and established, creating original, innovative work. There will always be people whose interest doesn't expand beyond having the mainstream feed them, and that's fine. Then there are always the people who are searching for more meaning and creativity, and they've got an amazing variety of artists to chose from right now.
What is the best part about making music for you?
I love traveling from town to town, sharing evenings with willing listeners and fellow artists.
Any other upcoming events/ news we should know about?
I'll be touring through Ontario and Quebec in February, and will have lots of shows and trips planned for the spring. Stay tuned!
Where would people go to purchase your music and/or learn more about you?
My website is http://www.amycampbell.ca - there you can read all about the new album, make purchases, and find links to my pages on facebook, myspace, youtube, flickr and more on the links page.
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