Grace Campbell is no stranger to the West Virginia music scene. She has garnered attention all across the state and has been playing venues and festivals at a blistering pace. Grace has done all of this without having a album to promote her music, that is until today.
Her first album “Bloom” has been released into the wild and it is a collection of 10 tracks that bounce between blues, jazz, rock and country tones with the consistent presence of Grace’s vocals carrying the project. Campbell is set to play a series of shows this week to celebrate the release of the album, including a stop at The Born & Bred Concert Series with Philip Bowen and support from Adrian Michael.
We asked Grace a few questions about her album and what’s gotten her to this point. Read it and check out a track from the album. Download and stream “Bloom” wherever you do music.
BB: Where in West Virginia do you come from and where does the band hail from?
GC: I am originally from Princeton, WV. The boys (Jake Ujhelyi, Dalton Matheny, Brandon Dennison and Cam Southern) are from the north-central part of the state, around Fairmont.
BB: Who are some influences on your music and writing style?
GC: I love all kinds of music, which I think is reflective in the album. Some major musical and lyrical influences have been artists like Hozier and Brandi Carlile. I love Hozier’s use of metaphor throughout his music and Brandi Carlile’s powerful music and lyricism.
BB: How has being from/living in West Virginia influenced your music?
GC: Being from West Virginia wasn’t always a point of pride for me, but as I grew as both an Appalachian and a musician, I realized that it was a part of me and not something to ever be ashamed of. That really influences my music by compounding the idea that I am not afraid of who I am or where I came from. I am not afraid to be Appalachian, I am not afraid to be vulnerable in my music, and I think “Bloom” encompasses that really well. We have to love every version of ourselves to really have the opportunity to bloom.
BB: How does it feel to have “Bloom” finally out?
GC: Amazing and terrifying! I am so happy to finally share the music I have spent the last several years writing, but like any new artist I have concerns about what people will think. This project is a vulnerable and authentic version of who I am as an artist, and when you open yourself up like that there’s always fear for what people will say.
BB: What was the writing and recording process like?
GC: Most of the songs for Bloom were already written when I began recording with Mon Hills Records. They were initially composed with just myself and my guitar, so the songs had to undergo some drastic changes in order to become what you hear today. It was a lot to learn for me, I’d never even been in a studio before or played with a band. I had to learn how to become a leader and explain (with little to no music theory background) how I wanted them to sound. It was a really awesome and educational experience that I will treasure for my entire career.
BB: What can people expect from your show?
GC: My top priority with every show is to create a space to have fun both on stage and off stage. Although the tempo of the music might create moments of intimacy, we always come into every gig throwing a party!
BB: Who are some West Virginia artists you’re listening to?
GC: I love The Parachute Brigade and Dalchord. I have had the opportunity to meet both groups and really enjoy the music they have out.
BB: What else are you listening to currently?
GC: I love The Oh Hellos, they’re a folk/rock group out of Texas and have been the influences to some of the music I have been writing recently. I also love their lyricism and use of religious themes throughout their music. Give them a listen!
BB: What inspired you or took you down the path of music?
GC: My parents noticed I had a proclivity towards music when I was very young, and they wanted to nurture it. They put me in a local music school in Princeton called “Stages Music School.” From there I learned from artists like Melissa and Lori Mckinney and James Hart who nurtured my love and knack for music into a true passion. Although I really wanted to be a drummer, I ended up falling in love with the guitar and singing.
BB: What is one song you want people to listen to from your album if they were to say, “Hey what do you sound like?”
GC: Although I love all of the songs off of Bloom, I would recommend listening to “Blue Eyed Boy” to really get a summary of what I sound like as an artist. It has witty lyricism with multiple meanings, a fun four-chord structure with a Maj7 (which are my favorites) and it tells the story of a part of my life. I really hope you enjoy it!
