INTERVIEW:
Camden Cox
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ONE looks at Camden Cox in the video for her new single, Gold, and is…
instantly mesmerised and invested. It is a video that certainly catches the imagination and gets into the mind. I talk to her about that and the origin of the song. She tells me more about future plans and the kind of artists/albums that have forged and inspired her own music. There are strong Dance and Electro. vibes with the song – and a sprinkling of Pop – so I was keen to know how the song came together and what it is was like working on the track with Jaded and Mark Ralph.
Looking ahead to the coming months; Camden Cox explains where her music might take her; she provides some wise advice to upcoming artists and reveals a few of the artists she recommends we check out.
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Hi, Camden. How are you? How has your week been?
Hey! Great, thank you.
It's been a crazy week: knackered after being in the studio writing every day and promoting the new single - but ready to celebrate the release!
For those new to your work, can you introduce yourself, please?
So. I'm Camden (real name: after Camden Palace - which is now the legendary Koko) and I'm a singer/songwriter who loves Dance music and heavy bass!
I grew up on Club music and Drum ‘n’ Bass - so I've always wanted to create something that people can party to.
Gold is your latest track. What can you reveal about its origins and inspirations?
Gold means anything that is taken from you - be it money, sex; freedom, favours; trust, etc.
I was inspired by experience!
Jaded and Mark Ralph helped bring the song to life. What role did they play and how instrumental were they?
I wrote Gold with Jaded in the studio one day.
I was jamming some melodies while the boys were in between the piano and the computer cooking up a storm. I wanted to express a situation I was in at the time, into lyrics, keeping it as indirect as possible!
We were all so happy with the demo: it was gritty and so old-school; about six-minutes-long! Then, we passed it over to Mark who got me into his studio to re-record the vocals with his sparkly equipment - where he then cut it down to a sensible length and took it to the next level!
In terms of sound; Gold has a real modern Dance vibe but has a gorgeous and romantic undertone. How personal is the song and were you inspired by any particular songs/artists when writing it?
The song is extremely personal.
it sounds like a happy party-banger, but, when you listen to the lyrics carefully, you'll find that there's real and relatable meaning behind them.
“Now I'm standing here alone/now you've got the gold” expresses the stupidity you feel once you realise you've let something go - and you should have been more careful!
In terms of sound: I was inspired by Touch Me (Rui da Silva) and Robin S. - Show Me Love.
The video looked like it was fun to shoot. Who directed it and what was it like filming?
It was so much fun!
I came up with the initial concept. I then presented that to Daniel Spencer (Turn and Shoot Photography) who added (even more) ideas: simplified it and took my vision into reality. We directed and edited it together - but he was the genius behind the final product.
It was a messy shoot; as you can imagine. We spent hours cleaning up glitter and gold paint but it was all worth it!
Will there be any more songs coming? An E.P., perhaps?
I'll definitely be releasing another single soon - probably in a couple of months’ time...
Can you tell me how you got into music? How young were you when you first discovered it?
I was always running around the house singing from such a young age - and I still have pretend-interviews that my dad filmed for me to make me feel like a Popstar!
He was in a band and my mum was a club promoter - so I was inspired by both of them for their love of music. As I got older, I started to get my head down and write lyrics (which were initially poems)!
Then, I used to sing them over anything I could get my hands on!
I guess everyone remembers the first song they discovered. Which was the track that first got into your mind?
I will always remember this song because I was obsessed with it before I even knew what music was: Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) by Enya!
I have no idea why I liked it so much but I now have the lyrics tattooed on my arm!
Your own music has a contemporary vibe but I wonder who are the artists you grew up listening to?
I grew up listening to a variety of genres: from the likes of The Prodigy, Sweet Female Attitude; Pendulum, Faithless…to the opposite end of the spectrum: Britney Spears and The Spice Girls - which is where I get my poppy tone from!
The modern Pop market is competitive and varied. Do you ever worry about the demands and pressures in the industry? How do you think you stand out from your peers?
We're all going for the same thing but that's where the comparison ends. Anybody who works hard enough will get where they need to be.
I've been making Dance music right from the get-go and it's only in the last couple of years it's become popular - but I just keep doing my thing and believing in myself.
IN THIS PHOTO: @cameronlouiswarren and @laurenmilesyh (with Camden Cox)
Everybody has something unique: so I just need to remember that I do too.
Do you have any tour dates approaching? Where can we come and see you play?
I do!
I'm doing a quick set at Fire on August 18th - for the L.G.B.T. crowd! It's a club-night so I'll definitely be performing Gold and a couple of others!
I, then, have a headline show coming up - which I'll be announcing VERY SOON!
IN THIS PHOTO: Disciples
Who are new acts you recommend we check out?
My favourite act on the market right now has got to be Disciples. Their music is classy and has a quality Dance vibe.
Also, my boys Jaded are killing it right now with their latest tune, In the Morning.
If you had to select the three albums that mean most to you; which would they be and why?
It would have to be Massive Attack - Collected
Because it's (just) the best ever.
Alex Clare - The Lateness of the Hour
Because I was super-inspired by him - and I referenced him a lot when I was trying to pin-down producers to work with.
Robyn - Robyn
Because I rinsed this album like you'll never know! I love her.
What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?
Believe in YOU and your vision.
Get a good team together who are passionate - and don't wait around for people to do things for you.
Only you can make this happen.
Finally, and for being a good sport, you can name any song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).
Opal Blue - Taking My Love Away (TUNE)
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