CAMMI KOL JUST RELEASED A TRACK AND WE'RE PRETTY NOSEY OVER HERE AT WIZARD WATER, WE THOUGHT WE'D DIVE RIGHT IN.
Today, we’re diving into the world of Cammi Kol—a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter whose music resonates with authenticity and heartfelt emotion. From a young age, Cammi was drawn to the power of music, using it as a vehicle to express her innermost thoughts and inspire change. With a blend of anthemic rock and introspective lyricism, her latest track, 'What Makes a Hero', takes a unique look at the unsung actions of everyday heroes. Join us as we chat with Cammi about her creative journey, her musical inspirations, and the powerful messages behind her music.
TRACK REVIEW
From the moment the triumphant vocals and drums burst in, "What Makes a Hero" grabs you with its uplifting energy. The guitar riff is undeniably captivating, weaving seamlessly around the melodies like a production masterpiece. Every chorus feels like a fresh, new direction, building up to an exhilarating guitar solo that takes the track to soaring heights. Cammi Kol has created an anthem for the everyday heroes among us, blending anthemic rock with heartfelt storytelling. A truly powerful song that leaves a lasting impact.
"What Makes a Hero" is such a powerful concept. What inspired you to write a song about everyday heroism, and how do you hope listeners will connect with it?
"What Makes a Hero" was inspired by my observations of the world around me at a time when the world was on the brink of chaos. I held a firm belief that love would connect us back together and that music was an essential and powerful tool to create meaningful change. I hope that listeners can relate to their own inner voice of reasoning and remember the importance of positive reinforcement and purposeful action.
Your music often carries messages of awareness and change. How do you approach songwriting to ensure that your songs not only resonate but also inspire action?
Inspiring action can be difficult because everybody has free will to do what they will. I think affecting any type of change in the community takes more than just a great song or a message. It's important to rally around each other and support the entire cause by supporting each other. Positive reinforcement goes a long way and inspires people to take action to make great things happen.
You’ve mentioned being influenced by bands like The Cure, U2, and The Darkness for your latest track. How do these influences shape the sound and feel of "What Makes a Hero"?
When I began to arrange a demo for "What Makes a Hero", I had been listening to and taking inspiration from the song "In Between Days" by The Cure. I wanted to mimic that 80's soundscape into my song and I ended up coming up with the opening atmospheric synth line that you'll hear layered in with my choir vocal. As for U2, Stu (my producer) and I added some delayed guitars in the studio that referenced the band's style. The guitar solo mimicked a similar feel to that of "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. As a whole, the song has been shaped by my love for rock music; in particular, anthem rock.
Your journey in music started at the age of 5. Looking back, how do you think your early exposure to music has shaped your artistry today?
As a child, I fell in love with singing and felt it was an important way of making sense of the world. I didn't have the easiest childhood growing up and I didn't feel accepted, so it was hard for me to make sense of what seemed like an unsafe world. I became unusually aware of my reality and my emotions from a young age so that led me down a path of early emotional maturity. This maturity has given me a real knack for understanding why I feel certain things when I do and how those things are leading me to better understand myself, which makes songwriting a whole lot easier.
Songs like "You Are Not Alone" and "Emerald Lasts Forever" have a strong emotional core. How do you tap into these emotions during your songwriting process?
I think the easiest way for me to tap into my emotions during the songwriting process is to allow myself to be as vulnerable as I need to be in that moment. I'll always begin with a feeling and that feeling directs me to the subject matter I want to explore. Emotion is a big driver behind my songwriting as well as my performances and the more I'm at ease with this vulnerability, the more comfortable I feel with sharing that innate part of myself.
Melbourne has a vibrant music scene. How has the city influenced your musical style and the stories you choose to tell through your music?
Melbourne is my home and I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity to explore my music career in such a bustling city. The vibrancy that Melbourne offers has always been on full display and I love that about the arts/music scene. It's also a great place to find quiet nooks and peaceful retreats. "Emerald Lasts Forever" was written about my fascination with the natural landscape and the earthly richness of the city. My sentimentality for Melbourne has only grown over the years, as I've been able to balance out my interests and take time to be creative as well as work on my personal growth.
In your opinion, what is the most challenging part of translating personal experiences into universal themes that your audience can relate to?
It can be challenging not to make these personal ideas sound cliche when trying to appeal to a wider audience. As mentioned previously, emotion is a big driver behind my storytelling so I try to be unique in the way I express a certain theme or topic. I don't want to be the sort of artist who writes the same song over and over in different ways. I do my best to create interest within every song, whether that's within the musical arrangement or the storytelling.
As someone who started their musical journey at a young age, what advice would you give to young aspiring artists who are just beginning to explore their creativity?
The music I write today is indicative of how much I've worked toward my singing abilities through years of dedicated music lessons. I think it's important to find an instrument or avenue through music that you love and dedicate your time and resources toward it. It's key that you look at both the practical side of playing as well as the deepening of your creative expression.
With the release of "What Makes a Hero" and the shows around Melbourne, what are you most excited about as you share this new music with your fans?
I'm most excited to create meaningful and engaging content on my social media and build a story around the song to give people something to hold on to. Working with new people on this track has given me a fresh take on my music. It's also helped me to navigate the way I'd like to portray myself as an artist going forward. I feel positive about this change and I'm looking forward to highlighting more of what's to come.
You’ve consistently used your music as a tool for storytelling and creating substance. What story or message do you feel most proud of sharing through your work?
The message I feel most proud to share through my music would have to be acceptance of one's individuality. Everybody has a story and it's important to allow people the space to share that. I think one of the kindest things you can do for another person is to listen and allow them to take the floor.
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