Poet, musician, artist and dreamer, Camille Barr has used 2020 to morph into her musical alter ego, The Last Folk Singer.
Originally from Byron Bay, the Torquay-based artist recently released her debut EP, the five-song 'Living In A World Of Silence'.Angelic Celtic folk, alternative chamber music, and indie pop with strong hints of medieval hues anchor The Last Folk Singer in a folk-soundscape that twinkles and bursts forth with an almost fairytale charm.
At other junctures, haunting pianos and fierce vocals carry 'Living In A World Of Silence' into dark, foreboding territory that is strangely alluring.
"'A Little Gypsy Song' came about as I was writing my second book of poetry and decided to turn some of my poems into lyrics (a natural enough progression)," Camille says.
"The music came as I dared to explore a hidden desire. It is where poetry became music and music gave me the freedom to dream."
Who is The Last Folk singer? A poet making less of a transition and more of a natural progression from poetry to music; recently joined by double bass player and pianist Nic Synot and violinist Kate Heagney.
I sound like... I have been told that I sound like a female version of Rufus Wainwright.
Our first gig was... At the Lounge Room aka my lounge room.
When did you settle on your artistic name? While I was deciding what genre to list my first single under, folk music came to mind but it wasn't listed as a genre on my app, so I decided to make a statement about storytelling within music diminishing.
In the studio I usually... Begin with doing full takes of the song. I find it works better for the overall flow and will only break it up towards the end if I think one section needs more attention.
If I could tour with anyone... John Butler Trio.
Social Media is... Both a friend and foe, in that it can be a friend to an artist as a platform to reach an audience, but one must remember that is not in itself the purpose of the platform.
My favourite app at the moment is... At the risk of showing my age, my favourite app is the one that puts music at my fingertips. I still find this to be such a novelty and joy.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... For the sake of decency, I best not share that.
The Last Folk Singer
Life on the road can be... I can't answer this one yet as a lived experience, so I'll just give my perception of it. It could be like walking through the doors to different worlds, on an adventure that is both exhilarating and exhausting.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... I would want the same keyboard that I practice on at home, because for me music releases all tension and creates an unparalleled sense of freedom.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... When I decided to branch out and ask other musicians to join with me.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson? Patti Smith for her artistry.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? I think until recently I would have said San Francisco, because I have a family connection to the place and for some reason it seems like the type of city I could tolerate (generally speaking I'm not much of a city-living person, just the visiting type).
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Noam Chomsky to talk philosophy, Sanora Babb (author) sadly past, for her sheer determination and grit, and the third one would be my producer Sefi Carmel, as we have only worked with an ocean between us and through the language of music; it would be nice to just have a chat in person.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Well to be brutally honest I wouldn't cook you dinner, I've had enough of that. However, I would make you dessert and as I've passed on a great pizza dough recipe to my husband; he would cook us pizza.
No matter the expense, send me a case of… Dom Pérignon rosé champagne.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was… 2016. Turns out group exercise isn't my thing.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Doing the breakfast dishes three times over, because apparently I failed as a parent.
Do you have any phobias? Snakes and small spaces; even worse, being stuck with a snake in a small space.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Under no circumstances no, absolutely no. Speaking of phobias you just made me realise a new one, waking up to find myself on the set of a reality tv show. . . terrifying!
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Seriously, I'm just awful at this sort of thing. The whole idea makes me feel anxious. I applaud those that can pull them off well. For me, I think it would go all wrong so not worth entertaining.
