Getting To Know... Campfire Social

Following on from the success behind their much-loved debut EP 'Wellbeing' in previous years, Welsh outfit Campfire Social have now returned to release their highly-anticipated follow-up collection 'Everything Changed'.

Bringing back more of that bold and captivating indie-rock sound they are known for, 'Everything Changed' makes for a wonderfully warming listen. Filled with soaring hooks, breezy rhythms, and some truly memorable moments, this new release sees them take some bold steps in their career so far.

So with the new EP out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The first instrument I ever owned/loved was an old beaten up nylon string acoustic guitar that I believe was handed down to me by an uncle of sorts, one of those family members you call uncle as a child but are not exactly sure how they are related to you. I learned to play enough on that, that I could batter out songs throughout my teens. Even when I was able to afford a better guitar and started gigging with that, I still wrote everything on that old beaten nylon string until I became a bit of a couch surfing, wayward type and the whereabouts of said guitar eventually became completely unknown to me. My current guitar is a Reverend buckshot. I’ve had it for ages and I honestly would rather play that than anything.

What kind of music did you love when you were younger?

Punk and 3rd wave Ska like RX Bandits and UK bands like Howard’s Alias. Most of which, apart from those mentioned, I can’t bring myself to listen to nowadays but I’ll forever be in debt to all of them for providing some of the best times and possibly being the roots of so many lifelong friendships. My love affair with Ska came to an abrupt end though when I reached full weepy teen and was introduced to The Get Up Kid’s Four Minute Mile by a friend who said “you might not like this it’s a bit emo” then came Bright Eyes and now here I am. I am aware that the transition from punk, Ska to Emo makes me a perfect naughties teen cliché and I am completely at peace with that.

What was the first album you remember owning?

I had Rubber Soul By the Beatles on cassette and Michael Jackson's Off The Wall on CD, I think.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

There are so many. This is actually how I pick my favourite songs. I’m sure I’m not the only songwriter that has a long list of songs that make them drift off into a fantasy where they’re showing someone God Only Knows or Between the Bars for the first time.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

I like to delve in to a deep depression. A decent film will always make me pick up the guitar somehow.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Dr Dog is the band I have listened to more than anything at the moment other than mewithoutYou. Most of the music I listen to I approach in a completely immersive manner like reading a book or watching a film but Dr Dog are the first band in a long time that I can really just forget everything and maybe have a little dance in my living room. I think that’s necessary more than ever at the moment.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

There are a lot of bands I could put on this list but I think if we could have played with Frightened Rabbit that would have been a dream come true. Mostly because I love that band but also because of their fanbase. I feel like if anyone would understand what we were doing it would be them.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

Before lockdown I would have said being in the studio. I love being in the studio and building track by track something that, until that moment existed primarily in your head. Having not played in front of an audience for a year now I have realised how much I take that part of everything for granted. The answer is definitely that. Playing live you can be somebody else for 40 minutes or at least express a side of yourself that I have become completely unable to express without that outlet.

And what is the most frustrating part?

Doubt. Definitely doubt and there is more of that flying around at the moment than ever before. As much as people like to think that they don’t, I think if you create anything you are 100% reliant on other humans for validation. That’s not to say that you would stop creating without it but you would question yourself more and certainly be less happy.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Be nice, celebrate your peers successes and be grateful for any opportunity you are awarded. Believe in what you do but be aware that nobody owes you anything.

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Campfire Social's new EP 'Everything Changed' is available to stream now. Have a listen to it in the player below.