A voice that harnesses a rawness that will give you goosebumps, Camille Trail's vocals also offer a warm embrace rich in emotion that will draw you in.
The country artist from Central Queensland has recently released her debut album 'River Of Sins' (produced by Shane Nicholson, who also duets on a track), which she funded by selling a couple of her own bulls (true story; more on that later).A graduate of JMC Academy, the record showcases Trail's innate ability to weave blues, gospel and folk into her alt. country, Americana soundscapes, creating poignant snapshots of vulnerability soaked in the human spirit – it's music that will stay with you long after the last note has been played and the reverb has left the speakers.
You recently released your debut album; what was the journey like from the first stages writing these songs to finally reach a point of releasing them into the world?
The journey from writing the songs to now releasing the album has been a very long time coming.
We recorded the album in February 2019, so it has been sitting ready to go for quite a long time. It has been such a roller coaster of emotions; excitement, impatience, fear and also being really proud of myself. It has been such a learning curve, going from never stepping foot into a studio, to now being a real recording artist. I find myself pitching myself every so often to remind myself it's real.
For those new to Camille Trail, how would you describe this collection of songs?
'River Of Sins' is a blend of country, blues, gospel and folk. I'm definitely not your traditional country artist, both lyrically and musically.
I grew up playing the piano and loving blues music, so my album is has my blues roots as well as the dash of country. I also love Americana, deep south gospel music, so there's a little bit of that influence in there as well.
On your website's bio, you said you don't like pretty things and didn't want an album made up of pretty sounds; can you expand on that sentiment and how important was it that your debut album was rich in emotion and vulnerability, and a little raw?
When I was in the studio, there was one thing at the front of my mind: 'You only get one first impression', and I wanted mine to be a good one. One that said I'm a serious songwriter; not just a singer with a nice voice, but that I'm a songwriter too.
I love natural, raw and most importantly real things. I didn't want my songs to sound perfect and overproduced, and I wanted the songs to be able to speak for themselves and not be crowded with all the 'shiny pretty' guitars and frills getting in the way. At the end of the day, the song itself is everything, so I wanted to keep the focus on the songs.
You're more than a country artist; there's gospel, blues, Americana, folk, and roots seeping through your songwriting, which is so evident on 'River Of Sins'; is that diversity a must when it comes to your own originals and the material you want to create?
Wow, thank you so much. Yeah, I think diversity is SO important. It's what makes you standout from everyone else.
Growing up, I listened to a really wide range of music and I think that's why my music is a blend of so many different genres. I've always wanted to do my own thing and I didn't want to be the next 'someone'. I wanted to be Camille Trail and I didn't want to follow the mainstream. That has always been a must for me, to stay true to myself as an artist and as a person even if it means paving my own way.
How was your experience when Shane Nicholson invited you onstage during last year's Tamworth Country Music festival (to a full-house no less)?
This was my favourite live performance I have ever done. Also the most nerve-wracking. I don't think I have ever been so close to vomiting before a show, haha.
I was really nervous because there were a lot of important people in the crowd, and I was singing on stage with an idol of mine. I look back and I'm so glad that I had the courage to get up on stage even when I was so nervous, because that moment really is what started it all for me. I signed with Compass Bros Records that night and I made a lot connections that have set me up.
Is it true you sold two bulls to pay Shane to record-produce your debut album (and how tough a choice was it)?
Yes, that's true. I grew up on a cattle property just outside of a small town called Baralaba and my family have a Braham stud (Elmo Brahmans).
I have my own herd of cattle and growing up we were always selling them, so it wasn't a tough decision at all. I sold a few bulls and then had enough funds for the album, which was really awesome and I dare say that's how I will fund the next one too.
As a fellow musician as well as a producer, what does Shane add/ bring to the mix that made him the person you wanted to collaborate with on 'River Of Sins'?
I grew up listening to Shane since I was eight years old and have been a fan ever since. He's such an incredible artist but is a next-level producer.
There was a big level of trust that I had with Shane in the studio. Handing your songs over to someone can be so terrifying, especially when it's your first time and they're your little babies. I have always loved Shane's music so I knew whatever he did I would love.
I think Shane himself, like me, is very diverse with his music which I really liked. I remember listening to albums that he produced, and although they had his stamp on them, they were all very different and still remaining true to that artist. I really liked that; he let the songs speak for themselves.
I wanted the album to be diverse and Shane really brought that to life. He added in those beautiful country touches, but then kept with my piano bluesy roots.
You have a couple of duets on the album, one with Shane and another with fellow Queenslander Brad Butcher – were they natural collaborations; how did each song add to the overall feel of the album, and will do you more duets in the future?
'6 O'Clock', the duet with Shane, was never intended to be a duet. In the studio, Shane suggested bringing in another artist for a duet and when looking at potential songs for a duet, this one jumped out.
I can't imagine it not being a duet now, it's perfect. I really wanted Shane to sing on this track (eight-year-old Camille would be so excited) and after a bit of persuading he agreed to do it.
'Holding Pattern' was a really new concept for me, being that I didn't write the song. When I first heard the song, however, I loved it and knew we had to record it. Both my manager, publicist and I all thought of Brad straight away for the duet.
It's funny too because Brad and I had already met in 2018 when I was at university. We did a co-write together and both forgot about it and then remembered when we connected again for the single. Funny how things come back around.
As a songwriter, how much do you feel you've grown and developed in the past year or so?
I've definitely grown a lot. I'm only 22 and I've grown so much as a person, discovering new things and growing confidence in myself and my work. I feel too as though I have more patience now, haha.
My first single release I was just so impatient for everything to happen straight away and dare I say the word, but COVID has really changed my outlook as well. Usually I need to know what's happening and when. However, I've learnt to just go with the flow and see what happens, and I've started enjoying that. I used to hate the feeling of not knowing, but now I am genuinely starting to enjoy it. It's freedom in a way.
You studied at JMC Academy; how has that impacted your music career and what were a couple of the biggest lessons you learned during your time studying?
JMC Academy was really amazing and I learnt so much. The biggest thing I learnt was how hard songwriting is. Sounds silly, but there is SO much to it.
It's not at all just writing a pretty melody and matching it with some chords; you're actively thinking about what you want the listener to feel and implementing the techniques to do so. I also learnt a lot of the structures and forms of music and learnt that you can take it or leave it.
JMC Academy was an amazing step in my career. I think I feel more confident in my songwriting but also just as an artist. I've learnt the basics of music business which has kept me in good stead, etc. I would highly recommend it to any budding songwriter out there.
Despite a number of show cancellations, you still have a few shows on the horizon; fingers crossed you can get onstage; how are you staying positive amid all the destruction of the touring/ event industry?
I have one saying I keep telling myself: 'It doesn't matter what cards you are dealt with, it matters how you play the cards you're dealt.' It is really disappointing that half the tour has been cancelled, especially as a new artist and this being my first ever tour.
I remind myself that everyone is going through this, and it's really touch for everyone. I'm lucky to have such an amazing support network at home; my partner, family and friends are amazing and help me on the days where I don't feel so great about it all.
As a native of Central Queensland, has that upbringing shaped your own music in any way?
I think it has definitely shaped me as a person with my music. Growing up on a cattle property, it's beautiful but there is a lot of heartbreak. I think it has taught me to be resilient and to have a good work ethic, which I think has really helped my career.
The music industry is a pretty hard industry to get into and excel in, so I think that upbringing has definitely helped me in the hard times.
Biggest misconception most people have about rural Queenslanders?
I think the biggest misconception is that we're all bogans and are rich, haha. We are definitely not rich, and work so hard and struggle a lot. Also a lot of people seem to think we're bogan just because we're from a rural area, definitely not bogan. At least not all of us anyway.
Tell us about your tour buddy, Lily the van? And can you see yourself on the road touring the country (when such things are allowed again)?
My Mum and Dad actually bought Lily, and I have stolen it to take on tour.
I actually quit my job for this tour and now I'm left with not much of a tour and no job, so Lily and I have decided to take off anyway and make the most of it. I've always dreamt of the van life since I was at uni, so it feels surreal to actually be doing it. It's so much better than I ever imagined.
Yeah for sure. My partner and I love travelling and would love to do a lap of Australia, so it would be awesome to link that up with a tour. That would be the ultimate dream.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
I think that just about covers it. Thank you so much!
Camille Trail 2021-2022 Tour Dates
Fri 17 Sep - Harmonie German Club (Canberra)Sat 18 Sep - Bowral Bowling Club
Thu 23 Sep - Oodies Café (Bundaberg)
24-25 Sep - Outback By The Sea Festival (Karumba, QLD)
2-3 Oct - Savannah In The Round (Mareeba, QLD)
Sat 9 Oct - The Barn (Wombat Flat, SA)
Sun 10 Oct - Trinity Sessions (Adelaide)
Sun 17 Oct - Lizotte's Newcastle
Fri 22 Oct - Junk Bar (Brisbane)
Fri 3 Dec - Murray Delta Juke Joint (Goolwa, SA)
Sun 5 Dec - Trinity Sessions (Adelaide)
Thu 20 Jan - Wests Leagues (Tamworth)
Fri 21 Jan - Wests Leagues (Tamworth)
