Kevin Campbell’s love of guitar and music started in a sixth grade music class. Unfortunately this love affair ended shortly there after when an incident involving his smart mouth, and an undeserving classmate got him banished to last chair for the rest of the year.
Abandoning music altogether, Kevin navigated the oft taken route of athlete-turned-professional mascot-turned-actor-turned-filmmaker before a chance encounter with a shitty guitar in Montgomery Ward reawakened his love of music.
Though a couch superstar, playing and songwriting came awkwardly for a while. Then when playing his songs in front of an audience for the first time, he realized that this was the scariest thing he’d ever done. Suck in front of people. His friends even. He was hooked.
Kevin’s songs draw from a lifetime of disappointments, regret, relationships both good and bad, bouts of frustration, and some actual real fun moments.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Kevin Campbell about his latest release, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I grew up in Northern Virginia, but I’ve been living in Los Angeles for the last 20 years. I used to joke that if blues, soul, Motown and folk did the deed and had a baby… and that baby was given up for adoption and raised by a sweet lovely deaf couple that always nodded with approval, though they heard nothing… my music is that baby. But in all seriousness, I never set out with a genre in mind, and I’m usually surprised every time I write a song by how it comes out.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I’ve been a professional mascot (AAA Charlotte Knights), actor (lots of commercials: Click it or Ticket, Captain Morgan, Dominos),and a writer & director of pilots, short films and web series (www.nacho.com). All the while, I was playing my guitar to relax and occasionally writing songs. Then one day my girlfriend told me that I needed to go out and play my songs. I never wanted to turn my hobby into something serious. I went out anyway and played an open mic… and sucked! But I was hooked. Over the next 10 years, I embarrassed myself in front of my friends, complete strangers and to many an empty room. And I got better. Nothing makes me a glutton for punishment like music. Songwriting dominates my thoughts and is the lens I see the world through.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Two things were going on while I was writing this album. One was that I had just started meditating daily, which made me present and grateful for things in my life. The other thing, was my girlfriend and I we’re moving out of an apartment we lived in for 18 years. So my days we’re spent reminiscing about how much had changed since we moved in, and all of these feelings of nostalgia were in the air. My goal was to make a complete album looking into all aspects of growing up, where we are now compared to back then, and expose the lessons learned or ignored to my detriment. The end result was my 4th album Nostalgia. https://kevincampbell2.hearnow.com
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
It is challenging to cut through the noise in this digital age. You are not only competing against great music, but selfies, political posts, baby pics, memes and the like. Everything carries the same weight these days. I try to concern myself with the songwriting, playing and production and not worry about the rest of it. Once I release it, it’s always going to be there, so get to it when you want to get to it. I can’t wait on you, I have songs to write.
What was the last song you listened to?
Colors by the Black Pumas
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I still buy vinyl regularly, and I love shopping for music, but most days I stream my music.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I listen to Spotify daily. I love Bandcamp though. It allows people to read my lyrics when they listen to my songs. https://kevincampbell1.bandcamp.com
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
www.kevincampbellmusic.com or https://www.instagram.com/kevcam_music/ or https://open.spotify.com/artist/5OBwFIxpHHkl55UfNB77gP?si=mTIv2sDnRCKXVLuKHkyrOA
Anything else before we sign off?
I hope that if you took the time to read my ramblings, that you will take the time to check out my music or watch some of the cool music videos I’ve made on my website. https://youtu.be/–DLaphNqvU
