Bruce Campbell Interview

1. How would you describe your latest songs you have written Bruce and are they on any recordings?

I haven't written any new songs for a while but I have a big backlog of songs that I haven't recorded yet.  Some I've never played publically because they need a certain kind of gig that suits them and I haven't found those gigs yet.   I write a lot of my songs when I'm on holiday.  I get up early, make a pot of tea and sit quietly with a notepad and pen, listening to the day begin.  If I'm lucky, some words appear on the paper...  The most recent songs I've written are Strike A Light and Smiling.  Both of these are on my Anthropocene EP, released this month.

2. Creating music, writing songs and recording your own songs, self-management, its a full time job ! How do you find time to fit in a day job ?

It can be hard fitting everything in.  I work part time and seem to volunteer full time either with Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare or Warrnambool Community Garden.  But I'm also pretty disciplined with my music.  I practice every night for an hour or more and I plan ahead to fit in major projects like putting out a new album.  The process of recording, mixing, producing and marketing an album takes a lot of time so I just schedule that in with my other activities, to make sure I get it done on time.  Currently I'm marketing songs from my Anthropocene EP to radio stations around Australia and internationally.  This has generated some airplay and interviews.

3. Your songs have a lot of important messages Bruce, if you could put one of the messages into a sentence about what you want to express to people, what would this sentence be ?

I think there's a lot of inequality in the world and I think we can all do something to reduce it.  I hope the messages in some of my songs help people think about how they can make the world a better place for people and the environment.  Yes I know that was two sentences!  I also write songs that are a bit quirky (eg. Zombie Heart) or about that age old theme, love.

4. It will be great to have you at The Songwriters Showcase, this time with your band, The Collective, tell us about your band Bruce ? Thanks for your interview Bruce !

Bruce Campbell Collective is a moving feast of musicians.  If it would stand still for a while maybe it would get a proper name!  At the moment we've got myself on vocals and acoustic guitar, Des Bunyon on superb harmonies, Gypsy Spelling on double bass and amp surfing, Barney Hurrell on mandolin and electric guitar and sometimes Owen Ellemor on electric guitar.  We all have busy lives so the band is just whoever is available.