Q: Hey Camille! How is life treating you?
A: Life is treating me really great, thanks!
Q: I take it you like shoes? Love the design of your website!
A: Thanks! I do love shoes. Other than music, shoes are next in line for me. I think it stems from growing up as a poor kid who never got the shoes that I really wanted. In fact, I remember drawing blue rectangles on the back of my generic tennis shoes to mimic Keds.
Q: Gibson has partnered with you to endorse your tour. How did that come about?
A: I couldn’t tell you the whole story in a short time, but essentially I first got a Gibson Gear deal – supplying all of my strings, straps, and other equipment. Then, I met with the folks at Gibson Entertainment Relations and one thing lead to another. I proudly play my Advanced Jumbo – and I also picked up a beautiful new electric hollow body.
Q: What are you working on for 2010?
A: I have several things in the works for the new year. I am touring down in Austin in March for the South by Southwest Music Festival. In April, I will be recording a new acoustic EP to release on a five week European tour in May/June. Then, I am returning for Festival season this summer. I have also been working with several licensing companies – and am pursuing TV/Movie placements. I did just get a song licensed for six shows on MTV! E! and Oxygen, so that is really exciting.
Q: What is one item you cannot leave home without when on tour?
A: Honestly? My neti pot. When you’re on tour and playing nearly every night, you can’t afford to get sick. I have depended on my little blue neti pot many times. I use it almost daily on tour to cleanse my sinuses and keep infection away. It is not attractive, but it works – and for the record, it never looks as cool as the girl on the front of the box.
Q: You have worked on projects with Brandi Carlile and Amy Ray. What memories can you share from those times?
A: I have some amazing memories, many of which have stemmed from playing with other great artists. Brandi and I played together just before she got signed – and it has been great to watch the trajectory of her career. Amy Ray and I were on a compilation CD together – but have not worked together, per se. I have gotten to share the stage with some great artists including Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Sarah Bettens (K’s Choice) and SmashMouth. It is always inspiring to watch other performers ignite the stage.
Q: What comes first for you – the music or the lyrics?
A: Most often, I write the music first – but occasionally it’s the other way around. When a song is about to come out – I feel like I am pregnant. I will sit with my guitar and noodle around until the feeling transfers to my instrument. Sometimes I will write a song in 5 minutes, like it was delivered to me. Other times, I will have a riff for a year before the words finally come. I have a big manila envelope packed with lyrics from the past ten years or so.
Q: Do you have a favorite song to play in concert?
A: I really love to play the songs “Goodbye” and “Pretty” off of my 2006 record “Say Goodbye to Pretty”. They are both really personal messages about saying goodbye to societal standards of beauty and accepting yourself. It’s about finding the beauty that each of us has inside. “Goodbye” encompasses the message that we need to stop abusing ourselves with self-deprecating messages. I love to play these songs when I perform for adults and when I give presentations to kids around the country.
Q: Do you have a favorite venue to play while on the road?
A: You know, I have been lucky enough to play some of the best rooms in the country, but my favorite venues as a whole are in Europe. There is something truly magical about playing over there. The Europeans are so appreciative of live music and the rooms are ALL listening rooms. In the States, it took me years of touring to earn a listening room, but over there; it only takes stepping onto the stage.
Q: If you could change one thing about the world right now, what would it be and why?
A: Well, the most obvious answer in current times would be to work towards world peace. It has been truly devastating to watch us occupy so many countries in war. I do have another answer though, and that answer is related to my favorite song(s). I feel like there is a lot of anger and hatred in our country. There is a lot of crime and a lot of abuse. I feel like much of this would stop if everyone could do their personal work and process their feelings about themselves. So, I guess, I would make intensive therapy mandatory. Ha!
Q: If you had to choose:
- Madonna or Lady Gaga? Madonna (she was the original).
- Taylor Swift or Kanye West? If I absolutely have to choose - Kanye.
- Amy Ray or Natasha Bedingfield? Amy Ray – although, Natasha is really talented.
- Bette Midler or Barbra Streisand? Bette Midler. She won me over with Beaches.
Visit www.lezzbook.com for more inside scoop on Camille and other LGBTQ artists.
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