A Dirty Dozen with LOZ CAMPBELL – April 2021
According to a recent press release: “UK Based Rock artist LOZ CAMPBELL has released the official music video for her newest, bluesy, “What Are You Doing It For?”. Filmed by Fly Girl Films, “What Are You Doing It For?” was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Gittins (Monochrome Productions). Loz Campbell is known for travelling around the country & shocking crowds with her “growling” guitar & angelic but fierce voice. With strong links to PJ Harvey & Garbage the band have gone from strength to strength with the success of their latest single launching them onto iconic stages such as the 100 Club London & joining Mungo Jerry for a date on his tour. Loz Campbell has recently joined forces with Earache Records & was featured on the NEW WAVE OF ROCK N ROLL compilation album.” We get Loz to discuss new music, influences, and more…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
Our latest single is called “What Are You Doing It For” we are always pretty straight to the point with our songs so no hidden nuggets as such.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
I always loved music from a young age, my parents used to take me to arena concerts and theatre shows when I was really young (3 or 4 years old), I first started out wanting to play in an orchestra pit band playing the flute but quit that at age 11 and took up the guitar. That’s when I started getting into bands like Soundgarden and Nirvana and really wanted a band of my own.
3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?
I can never whittle it down to just one album or band as I believe that it is important to listen to all types of music to pull inspiration from them otherwise you end up being a close-minded musician which isn’t good if you want to be a songwriter. One specific concert I remember was The Pretty Reckless I shouldn’t have been at that as I was about 12, I think so a few years under the age limit, I won’t name the venue ha! That live show really gave me a buzz and I wanted to be up there myself, funnily enough I did play that venue twice more 7 years later. 12-year-old me wouldn’t have believed it ha!
4. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Joe Bonamassa, The Pretty Reckless, Guns n Roses, Halestorm, and Nirvana.
5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?
Joanne Shaw Taylor because I really love her playing style and I think our voices would work well together.
6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?
Old school plug in and play, no tricks what you see is what you get sort of thing. A bit bluesy/rock. That’s a tough one I don’t think I’ve had one that has made me cringe but one artist I keep getting compared to is Alanis Morrissette, I think it’s the hair ha!
7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
I’m the head cook haha, although with the band it is usually a takeaway. Drummer Tom is always on water, so I guess that is me again haha! The acoustic guitar again would be me especially after a few beers.
8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?
We played with Mungo Jerry that was surreal! He had to borrow my amp as his blew up in soundcheck!
9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?
The best part is the feeling you get when you are on stage or when someone wants to buy your music after they have seen you play live, that is a huge compliment. My dream job would be a restaurant owner in New York. Random but I love the city and I love feeding people, so I think it makes sense.
10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?
I’ve always wanted to be asked more about my instrument for example why I chose that particular guitar. I’m tired of answering, who inspired you?
11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?
I would like to do my debut album again because I was young the recordings definitely show that, but I guess that shows progression.
12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
Guns n Roses – Appetite for Destruction because I bet that would have been a wild ride! I’ve been listening to that record since I was very young and even when “Night Train” comes on the radio in the car, I always turn it up it just ROCKS!
BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?
Friends, I find I make more time to catch up and talk to my friends than I used to. The world and the freedom to go anywhere.
LOZ CAMPBELL LINKS:
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Category: Interviews