Brendan Campbell: Made in Scotland from girders!

• 9th Jun 2008

It’s rare to cross virtual paths with kindred spirits but I did it, I know I did! Glasgow’s Brendan Campbell (BC) hates Jeremy Kyle, loves Amadeus and thinks the most gifted person alive is Jackie Chan…oh wait, no, oh well, as close as a dry shave with a Weetabix hey!

His inspired, timeless sound's perhaps comparable to Elliot Smith or Sufjan Stevens and when combined with his all so real lyrics which stand out loud and proud, justification for the support BCs gaining is certainly attained. I

It surely won’t be too long before he makes his mark.
BC kindly gave us an insight into his world…

AS: When you take aim with your peashooter/pellet gun/sniper rifle, you’re aiming at?
BC: Jeremy Kyle (a source of personal anguish for yours truly too: getting worshipped for going on telly to state the obvious to folk who are obviously too much in a state to see straight, shame on you scumbag).

AS: Where do you go when it all gets too much?
BC: Back to bed!

AS: What do you do in your recreational time?
BC: What else is there?

AS: Who would be your dream collaborator?
BC: Davie Icke (not Jesus, Gods other son!).

AS: What’s the best music video?
BC: Pink Floyds ‘The Wall’.

AS: If you were a musical instrument what would you be?
BC: Fluegel horn.

AS: Do you believe in love at first sight?
BC: I’m certain it happens all the time.

AS: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
BC: The Cauldron of Poesy.

AS: Any regrets, missed opportunities or things that might’ve been?
BC: Je ne regrette rein. (I’ll take that as a no then!).

AS: Will your past come back to haunt you?
BC: No. I’m as pure as the virgin snow.

AS: Where do you most enjoy playing live?
BC: Not bothered as long as there’s a good crowd and good sound. Actually, I always enjoy playing in London.

AS: Why? What's your biggest why question and has mystified you the longest?
BC: Why do men have nipples?

AS: Who is most influential on your sound?
BC: People asked if I was influenced by Nick Drake when I first started playing, but to be honest I’d never heard his music at that stage. I think the early influences were Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon and just general rock music.

AS: Why the name?
BC: Ask my mum!

AS: What makes you better than everyone else?
BC: My humility.

AS: When do you plan to take over the world?
BC: I could tell you but I’d have to kill you.

AS: Wish you were doing anything else with your time other than music?
BC: Time travel.

AS: Did you have any heroes when you were a teenager?
BC: Bruce Lee.

AS: What do you think of the paparazzi?
BC: They’re great and I love them. I’m their bitch!

AS: What are you listening to right now?
BC: The bugs in the garden.

AS: Any message to any underachieving or odds facing musician out there?
BC: Join the club.

AS: Do you enjoy playing live or are you more at home in a studio?
BC: Playing live.

AS: Your career defining dream moment would be what?
BC: Headlining Glastonbury.

AS: Any upcoming music / bands worth keeping an eye on that are destined for greatness?
BC: Man from Michael.

AS: How important do you feel visuals are in relation to music?
BC: I’ve been to some gigs where the visuals have really added to the atmosphere. I don’t think it applies to my music at the moment. I think that a good music video is a bonus but the music is most important.

AS: What was the highlight of your summer?
BC: Belladrum festival last year was really good. I’m looking forward to playing it again!

AS: I’m sure you’ve done a few but, do you know which has been your best ever gig?
BC: Actually, it’s probably one of the more recent ones – supporting (they’re kickass and yes you should check ‘em out) Bon Iver at The Social in London.

AS: What will this year bring?
BC: The apocalypse.

AS: Is there more pressure playing live with a band than there is playing solo?
BC: In some ways yes and in some ways no! I enjoy playing with a band because I feel I can relax more and there’s less pressure on me. But I get into a zone that I like when I play solo.

AS: Are you unlucky in love?
BC: No; but my bitches are!

AS: Best song, movie or LP ever?
BC: Best movie is ‘Amadeus’ and the best LP is ‘Highway 61 Revisited’.

AS: Where did you sleep last night?
BC: My bed.

AS: What’s your secret vice, what are you a sucker for?
BC: Iron Bru.

AS: What makes the world go round?
BC: Iron Bru.

AS: Where’s the place to be?
BC: Glasgow.

AS: What’s your weak point?
BC: Lying compulsively through interviews!

AS: Are you a good dancer?
BC: Yes; in my head!

AS: What kinds of music do you dislike the most?
BC: Modern R&B.

AS: When will the world end?
BC: The world will never end. It’s a holographic reflection.

AS: What revival would you most like to witness?
BC: Pink Floyd.

AS: Are exercise and diet important?
BC: Yes, but I don’t pay much attention to either!

AS: Who’s the most gifted person alive today?
BC: Jackie Chan. (Oh Lord Brendan, haven’t you heard of Tony Jaa yet?).

AS: Have you got any famous relatives?
BC: Not that I know of.

AS: Does complaining accomplish anything?
BC: What a rubbish question!

AS: Have you got anybody’s autograph?
BC: Jackie Chan! (Bizarre, I’ve got Tony Jaas!)

AS: Which fictional character would you most like to be?
BC: Bananaman.

AS: Which rules, the digital age or the vinyl/cassette age?
BC: Vinyl and cassettes. Just to be difficult in such a digital age.

AS: If a musical style was to become extinct, which would go first i.e. jazz, folk…?
BC: Modern R&B.

AS: Do you have any unused band names you’d love to use?
BC: Zen Zen Comanche.

AS: Have you ever been conned into or out of something?
BC: Quite possibly!!

AS: Do politics have a place in music?
BC: It works when someone does it right.

AS: Cheers Brendan, all the best!

For full info on BC and his latest EP ‘Twilight Bird’, please click this link