Project Description
‘Amnplify Snapshot’:
SOMETIME SONNY
.
.
In early 2016, after years of playing in bands and learning from acclaimed local indie musos, Brisbane-based artist Dave Campbell set about writing music for a solo project which would eventually become ‘Sometime Sonny’. Influenced by a collection of artists including Sticky Fingers, The Strokes, Tobias Jesso Jr, and DMA’s, Campbell quickly wrote enough material for his self-titled debut EP. Amnplify caught up with Dave recently and asked him a few questions.
.
.
How would you describe your journey in the music industry so far, and where do you want to go from here with your music?
It has been great, hard and scary. I have really enjoyed the people I have met and the bands I have been fortunate enough to hang out with, but it is always super scary revealing your vulnerable lyrics to the world… I just want my music to reach as many ears as possible.
.
When did you know you wanted to make music, and perform as your career?
Around about a year ago I decided that I was going to put all my money, time and effort into Sometime Sonny and see how it all goes. If it isn’t successful in the end, than I can’t say I didn’t give it a crack!
.
Who have been your musical influences or artists you have admired growing up?
I listened to a lot of Dad’s records growing up, so I am inspired by artists like Patti Smith, Van Morrison and Tom Waits. I also went through those sweet Greenday and Blink-182 phases before moving onto what I listen to these days.
.
Are there any artists or musicians that you have been so impacted by that it changed your view on life or mentality toward music?
Have you ever listened to a song and just thought to yourself or even said, “Man, I could never write something like that… it is way out of my league”? That happens to me frequently, and those are the bands that I most admire and constantly influence my mentality towards music.
.
How do you feel your sound has developed over your time releasing music?
I am slowly maturing as a songwriter and I think this just naturally influences the sound. The songs make more sense with a greater sense of direction and development of ideas. I just go wherever the excitement lies really and hope that takes care of the sound.
.
.
What are your goals for 2018 with your music career, new music/tours?
I’ve got a whole heap of music coming out this year which I am very excited for, and I’m keen to tour and play as many shows as possible! Look out for me at a venue near you soon…
.
What performance in your career so far has been the most memorable, or surreal and why?
I played this one show packed show at Alhambra Lounge (RIP) in Brisbane a while back with my old band and the crowd and I were having a very, very nice time… keen to do that again but as Sometime Sonny!
.
Have you ever performed in Australia, do you plan to tour here in 2018?
Yes, and keen to tour the country asap!
.
What is the music community like where you are from?
Brisbane has a great community. Every band in Brisbane just seems so nice.. it’s unreal and such good vibes.
.
If you weren’t working in the music industry, what else do you think you would be doing with your life right now?
I am also a music teacher, so I just assume that I would continue to do that. I think the only difference would be that I wouldn’t leave school at 3pm everyday to race home and record.
.
.
Fast facts about new single “Like Everybody Else” and debut self-titled EP
The narrative of “Like Everybody Else” was written on a train, realising he had become a ‘9 to 5’ worker rather than chasing his musical dreams
Acclaimed Brisbane indie artists Alex L’Estrange and Hugh Middleton (Mid Ayr) produced and mixed the new single, as well as the debut EP, in their basement – dubbed the ‘Luv Basement Studio’
The music videos for “Like Everybody Else” and debut single “Wasted On Me” were filmed and edited by Campbell, shot on a friend’s vintage VCR tape recorder in his South Brisbane share house
.
What’s one song fans might be surprised you really like?
The ‘Arthur’ theme… that classic TV show from the 90’s, I can’t get enough of it!
.
If you were not working in the music industry what else do you think you would be doing?
Teaching, or something to do with sports. It’s pretty crazy to think what else I would be doing, the music industry has influenced my life so heavily.
.
If you could choose only one muso, artist or band to collaborate with the rest of your career who would it be?
Julian Casablancas from The Strokes, what a legend! I could never do what he does, and I could learn so much.
.
And, if you had to listen to one song on the repeat the rest of your life, what song and why?
Oh, it would be Sticky Fingers’ ‘Land of Pleasure’ – so good!
.
.
Follow SOMETIMES SONNY
Facebook Twitter Instagram
.
Media Praise for Sometime Sonny:
“Punches home in a big way” (Tommy Faith, Triple J)
“Undeniably, we can all relate to the heartbreak in Campbell’s lyrics. But, the one characteristic about Sometime Sonny that captivates us enough to keep listening is the overwhelmingly beautiful composition.” (Happy Mag)
“Creating music that packs an absolute punch, both in his lyricism and immaculate instrumentation, Sometime Sonny’s latest effort (Like Everybody Else) pushes him into a new threshold of songwriting in which only the elite sit.” (AAA Backstage)
“90s nostalgia, slow building pop and emotional lyrics. That’s what you’ll find from Sometimes Sonny…” (The AU Review)
“Like Everybody Else is perfect mood-music for creative folks and daydreamers alike.” (For The Love of Bands)
“This laid-back track mixes honest, even brutal lyricism with a leisurely vocal delivery alongside vast instrumentation. Sometime Sonny has managed to create a track which perfectly conveys realisation as a whole even with just the instrumentation alone.” (Mix It All Up)
“The song’s stark message is paired with a peaceful, psychedelic sound that brings out an inevitable sense of self-reflection.” (The Sights and Sounds)
.
.
Leave A Comment