Published: August 24, 2009 12:59 AM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight August/September 2009 Edition
Corrin Campbell
Corrin Campbell Chris Henry Shoot
This small town girl next door is an amazing Singer/Songwriter that is taking the music industry by storm. The talented musician Corrin Campbell is the perfect choice for music lovers who love music with catchy hooks, strong female fronted vocals, and melodious tunes. Corrin also is an amazing artist because she pours her heart into her music which shows when listening to her tracks. I especially enjoy the positive energy and good feeling one gets from her music. In this recent spotlight with our Webzine, Corrin opens up about her music and her band. Read on for more detail about Corrin Campbell & the Election.
Isaac: Please take a moment to elaborate on who you are and your upbringing as a little girl growing up on Wisconsin.
Corrin: I grew up in a small city of roughly 25,000 people as far northwest in Wisconsin as you can go called Superior. I haven't lived there since I graduated high school in 2000, but I'm back frequently since my family and friends are all still there. My mom was a 80s pop listener, so she contributed Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Walsh and the Talking Heads to my tape collection. My dad is an NPR type, so he exposed me to endless hours of talk radio, blues and country. Alison Krauss, BB King, Etta James, Al Green. When Jonny Lang and LeAnn Rimes came out as such young artists, my dad would say, "That could be you." On my own, I loved Bush, No Doubt, STP, Smashing Pumpkins and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think that's how I ended up pop/rock with some blues influence. I've been banging on a piano since I was 5, and never got lessons 'cause I just loved it so much. My grandmother provided that piano, and though she passed away when I was in high school, she continues to influence me heavily. I still love small towns, and sometimes feel a little lost in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
Isaac: I read in your bio that you have completed your active duty in the military. What has it meant to serve and protect all of us in this country? How has being in the military shaped you as an artist?
Corrin: Deploying to Iraq for a year was the greatest experience, really. As a lead singer of the rock group, band leader of the jazz combo, and bass player of the Latin band, nearly every day contained a musical mission. Most days consisted of travel by Blackhawk to entertain soldiers across Iraq. It was always a nice break for soldiers; we would play concerts in common areas, dining facilities, anywhere soldiers were taking a break from the stress of combat. They saw that we were there with the same body armor, carrying our weapons in one hand and our instruments in another. I think the soldiers felt able to relax in their down time because we would turn it into a party when we toured through. That was great for my attitude. We were making a difference! I loved I could do music and serve my country at the same time.
As far as shaping me musically, the Army fine-tuned me into a self-aware and objective musician. I played lots of styles with lots of people and there just wasn't room for my ego. If you already think you're the bomb, you don't strive to get any better, and I was limited by my own big head. But I eventually learned to acknowledge my weaknesses so they could be fixed. When I got out, I knew I wanted to pursue music and continue with the skills the Army ingrained in me.
Isaac: Was there any one musician that spoke to your heart so profoundly, you were inspired to do your own thing as a Rock Singer/Songwriter?
Corrin: I've influenced greatly by No Doubt. Not only because of Gwen's great vocals, but because of the outstanding musicianship in the group. 'Return of Saturn' was my favorite album. They just seemed to be doing their own thing, and never really cared if it would "fit" on the Top 40. They just did what they did and defined the Top 40 themselves. I was really jazzed to see them out on tour this summer.
Isaac: Which singer/group would you say you would most like to do a duet with?
Corrin: I'd be thrilled to work with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. I was in LOVE with that guy when I was twelve, and I knew he was an insane vocalist. I might pass out at first sight, but eventually I'd get over it and we'd make a pretty awesome duo!
Isaac: What singer/songwriter do you most connect with?
Corrin: I really enjoy Jimmy Gnecco from Ours. He's got just a ridiculous amount of talent, and such dark vision. I'm absolutely fascinated by it.
Isaac: Out of your entire song collection that you've written thus far, which song(s) would you say is/are the most personal/meaningful to you?
Corrin: "Through Your Eyes" is the most emotional. It's actually the first song I ever wrote from top to bottom, but we didn't record it until years later. I wrote it about my grandmother, and it centers around the idea that we don't really lose the people we love when they die. They stay with us, inside us. On the upcoming album, there's a ballad called "A New Page" which is a close second. You'll have to buy the new album to hear it! ;)
Isaac: Which singers/groups do you enjoy/like from some of today's music genres?
Corrin: I really dig Sara Bareilles right now. I've seen her live, and I think she's fantastic. I'm also a fan of Jimmy Eat World, Paper Route, Hotspur, Ingrid Michaelson, Go Crash Audio, Fools & Horses.
Isaac: What charities are you involved with or support and why should people get involved?
Corrin: We just started working with Love146, a nonprofit that works toward the abolition of child sex trafficking and exploitation through prevention and aftercare. Awareness is key, and we've been talking about it with all our fans, trying to support the organization and spread the word. It's estimated that 2 children are sold every minute, and that at least 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world for labor or sex exploitation. We think everyone should go to love146.org and watch the informational video to learn more. The story of Love146 will break your heart.
Isaac: Have you (or would you ever consider) writing a song about any of today's particular world issues/problems? If so, what world issue would speak to you the most to write about?
Corrin: We're actually in the process of writing a new song specifically for Love146. We plan on producing it as a single and selling it to benefit the charity.
Isaac: What is the main reason why should people listen to your music?
Corrin: We have an optimistic message, and even our harder rock songs leave the listener uplifted. Plus, our band has a cool blend of influences. The drummer is a rock fusion guy, our guitar player loves Stevie Ray Vaughn and I love pop and NPR. Plus, we recorded "Exhibit A" and "Game Night" and did all the production ourselves with just a home studio. We're pretty proud of it!
Isaac: Do you believe that the Rock music genre is dying? Why or why not?
Corrin: No way. Rock is the new pop. You hear a lot of singer/songwriter pop out there now too, but rock is becoming king again. With big artists like Nickelback and Daughtry... they're showing rock is back in the game with the overall pop crowd. :)
Isaac: What have the biggest challenge to get your music out there as an Indie artist?
Corrin: Recording is usually a big roadblock, but we're fortunate to have a decent home studio, and a band member who can really mix. CD Baby, and other companies like that, has made distribution a piece of cake for indie artists. We're so grateful for those kinds of companies, built by guys who have done what we're doing. However, our biggest challenge has been building our fan base. You can't play shows without selling tickets, but you can't gain more fans without playing shows. The band spends a ridiculous amount of time on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, etc. building relationships with people. It's easy to care about yourself, but it's a lot harder to get other people to care about what you're doing.
Isaac: How far into the creation of a song do you share any of it with anyone? Who would you play it for? Would it be a chorus, a verse and chorus, or a complete song?
Corrin: We tend to keep new songs in our pocket until we play 'em live or record them. But I'm horrible at showing a song before it's completely done. All music and lyrics, the form, is all finished. Sometimes we show new stuff to avid fans or friends and family once it's recorded and before it's officially released. I'm such a frickin' perfectionist.
Isaac: How much do you let others "mess around with" one of your new songs?
Corrin: The guys in the band call me a diva. :) I write 100% of the overall music and lyrics, so I get really possessive. Sometimes the band has to check me on it. It really turns out the best when the band throws their arrangement ideas and it's a collaborative effort. We end up with a more well-rounded point of view musically. As far as picking our singles, etc, we rely on our street team for some input. We'll email out a couple songs, and see which one they like the best.
Isaac: How long does it take you to process your emotions and turn them into songs?
Corrin: Not long. I'm a pretty dramatic, theatrical person. (Haha) It only takes a couple minutes banging on my piano to feel out what kind of song I feel like writing. Lyrics take longer; it's definitely my biggest song-writing challenge. Trying to paint a picture, yet make it a clear message, is difficult. There's an amount of art and science that has to be combined to get the right words.
Isaac: The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Corrin: None. I'm stubborn as crap, and always learn the hard way. One great piece of advice I SHOULD have taken, and learned later is that you can't take rejection personally, not in this business. And you can't let all the criticism force your hand to create something out of character. In the end, it has to be about doing what you do WELL, not making what Mr. Bug-up-his-butt wants to hear. There's only so much fulfillment in success if you're not doing what you love to get there.
Isaac: Give Shouts outs to your family and friends.
Corrin: My brother, Mitch is da bomb. Cousin Owen and good friend John Simon, both awesome guitar players on the record. Ashley is always there for us, best merch girl EVER! :) Jeff H and the Go Crash Audio boys - rock on, dudes! As always, thanks to friends and family and our loyal fans. Y'all know who you are.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
Corrin: Going to www.corrincampbell.net will get you all our other links. We're currently offering a free single off the new album for signing up for the email list. Plus, we have a YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, LiveJournal, ReverbNation and more. It's easiest to go to our home page and click on the links from there!
Isaac: Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
Corrin: We're finishing up our full-length album, "Game Night". It's set for release on November 24, 2009. We'll be having a CD release party in Baltimore, MD. Very exciting!
