Candace Campana Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Candace
Campana Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Lamitschka:  Music has many new fans throughout
Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe
yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

Answer:

Honestly? I would saw raw, real, and everything today’s industry craves! Too
often, people are drawn to a tune beacuse of the effects, the auto tune, and
just everything that makes it not true to the artists‘ vocal sound. My songs
that I’ve released were done in one take, just me and my guitar. What you hear
on record is what you’d hear if I were live in front of you. I believe we need
more of ths type of realness in today’s music, for it dsplays the truth about
vocal ability and doesn’t give the fan an unrealistic exectaition of what we
should sounds like on stage! As to desbibe myself? I’m an animal-loving,
truck-drivin, horse-ridin, guitar playin, head bangin, hippy dippy vintage soul
with alot of fire to bring to my fans!!

Lamitschka:  How was the last year for you? What were
your highlights?

Answer:

My last year has been full of blessings thank God. I found Nub Music who took a
liking to me which I was thrilled about! It’s hard to find a label who takes
you for you, doesn’t want to change you, and doesn’t care how much money you
have or who you’re related to. They took me on because they liked the demos I
sent it. That’s unheard of anymore nowadays! I also was excited because this
yearI got to purchase my own truck and trailer so look out to my pony he’s
gooing to be a traveling fool! I’m always singing to him, and basically
performing my new songs to him (Sunny boy) so he’s just as much apart of my
music as the music iteself!

Lamitschka:  What is your latest CD and how’s it
doing?

Answer:

My latest track released was an original called “Pink Ink“ The story behind it
tells the tale of a mother daughter team, fighting agaist breast cancer.. In
the story, the mother is diagnosed with the terrible illness, and the daughter
almost feels lost as to how to help, so helpless and alone through it all. She
decides she CAN do something to help her mom, and that is brand herself with
love. She gets a pink ribbon tattoo to show her mother the permanence of her
support and how she will fight with her till the end of time. I think it is
doing just what I want it to. The beautful messages from people who have
listened and found their own truth in the song make it so humbling that I’ve
brought something like this to their ears, and to their comfort. God helped me
write it, and I love that it can reach people on another level!

My newest single Cowboy Me just released a few days ago, and thatis more a
rugged twangy tale of heartbreak, deceit, and downright anger!! (Unfortunately,
I’m the main character, and the story is true!) I love horses, rodeos, trucks,
and country, …and sleazy cowboys just seem to love me!

Lamitschka:  How did you choose the title for the
CD?  Is there a story behind the name?

Answer:

I chose Pink Ink based on the fact that the tattoo’s Ink would be Pink on the
charcter’s shoulder in the story. I felt the two words together and ryhming
would not only help it stand out, but make people wonder what could this song
be about?

As for Cowboy Me, I wanted to describe all the things a cowboy can do with just
one word“Cowboy.“ Don‘t you Cowboy Me, meaning…play me, sweet talk me, look
at me with those cowboy eyes, try to win me over, play me for a fool! Been
there done that!

Lamitschka:  Do you write the songs yourself? If not,
how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?

Answer:

Yes it’s one of my favorite parts of being an artist!!! I love telling my own
stories, and the stories of others around me, or just stories that come to me
in dreams, I love to write and I love to make a simple idea into something
worht listeneing to.

Lamitschka:  Please tell us about the songs on your
album (influences, etc).

Answer:

Pink Ink I had several influences and several reasons. I have had too many
people in my family lose their lives to cancer, whether it be pancreatic, lung,
breast or various others. And it is the most helpless situation I could be in,
I could not do anything to help though I wanted to. The one way I know how to
help people is through song, by giving omfort or simply letting someone know
their story has been heard and they now have something to listen to that relates
to them. The way I placed the tatoo, was actually a friend of mine who I ride
horses with. She has a bright Pink ribbon tattoo on her right shoulder, and I
just thought it was the coolest thing. When I came up with the story, I wondered
where to put that tattoo, and then I thought of Skylar. It worked perfectly
with how I wanted the tale to work! As for the end of the story, I often have
been asked if the mother lived or lost her battle, and I always say the same.
That is up to you, and what happened in your story with cancer, I cannot let
her lose her battle if someone listening is currently fighting, for that
defeats the entire purpose of writing a song for hope! Let the story pave
itself, and pray along the way. Ive wirtten for you, listen and always fight!

Cowboy Me was a more anger infused influence! Let’s just say some rodeo guy
thought he could try to win me over, while running around and telling the whole
rodeo he had one thing on his mind! Well, I dont take things like that lightly
so naturally I began writing. I thought, what exactly did he do to me? Hurt me?
Talk about me? Try to use me? Sweet talk me? Betray me? I put it all in one. He
Cowboy’d Me. He sucked me right into those rodeo eyes, swavey smile, cowboy hat
and bull riding facade. He straight up cowboy’d me and I never saw it coming.

Lamitschka:  What is the difference between your last
CD and your current one?

Answer:

The difference between Pink Ink and Cowboy me couldn’t be more, well,
different. The stories are compleely opposite, and though they both emerged
from pain, the pain is not at all similar. Pink Ink is very sentimental, and
heartfelt. People battle this story everyday,yet there are limited songs to
help them through it. The pain is intolerable, and I wanted to help. Cowboy Me,
I can say all the same words but for all different reasons, People battle this
pain everyday, the pain is heartfelt, and being hurt by someone you trust is
intolerable. The decsrotion is the same, but they are not at all similar.

Lamitschka:  Your current single is being played by
radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to
hear it?

Answer:

I’m so happy they both made the radio honestly!!! With Cowboy Me being my
current, I think it is special because it is a tough rugged country twangy
tune, with a side of hurt, and another side of fun. Poeple can listen to this
and enjoy singing along without having to think about it or feel anything if
they don’t want to. Or, they can take it for the story it is and feel that
anger because they went through the same thing!! It’s one of those tunes that
gets stuck in your head and you catch yourself singing it whether you’ve been
through it or not, and that’s the beauty of it! It’s another one too where the
title makes you say“Wait, what’s that about??“

Lamitschka:  What will your next single be?

Answer:

Oh gosh, I have so many to choose from! I have a few ideas of what I’d like to
release next but I honestly would love help from my listeners! I was thinking
of spitting out two or three singles on YouTube or something along those lines
and taking a poll to see what my listeners would like to see as my newest
release!

Lamitschka:  What kind of songs do you like to record
the most?

Answer:

Heres the thing (haha) I love to record my country songs I write, but I am such
a ROCKER AT HEART! I LOVE recording songs by Heart, Pat Benetar, Guns n Roses,
Metallica, I’m such a rocker chick metal head! Anting where I can sing hard,
high, and loud, while throwing my head around is perfect. haha

Lamitschka:  What is your favorite song among all the
songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?

Answer:

Actually, a fovorite is a song I’ve written called“The Singer.“ I’d like to
hold off on the story until it’s release though!!

Lamitschka:  How much creative control do you have
over your music?

Answer:

This is what I love about Nub music, I have 100% control! I write from my soul,
and they listen. They do not try to change me as an artist, and they take me
for Candace. I love it.

Lamitschka:  There’s a lot of work that goes into a
number one hit. What did it take to make it in your case?

Answer:

Alot of crying haha Like I said earlier, it is extremely hard to break into
this scene without knowing someone, being releated to someone, or having
ungodly amounts of money to get you there. Talent, passion, creativity, they do
not speak anymore to the label execs of today’s market. You can have all the
drive in the world, all the want, all the need, all the vocal ability, you can
play until your fingers bleed and your back is falling apart, but if you can’t
pay your way, no one will listen. I’v cried myself to sleep more than I’d like
to say, I cry watching the CMAS every year, because I need to be there but I
can’t afford to keep up with what labels want. It’s a viscious industry, and
persistence is key, and loving yourself is mandatory. You have to know when to
say No to the sleaziness that will get you what you want, and you have to push
hard. It takes one door to open to help you, you have to find the right door.

Lamitschka:  Do you have any interesting stories
about how fans have been affected by your music?

Answer:

I have had people write to me and say they cried when listening to Pink Ink,
because their mother battled breast cancer. Which really makes me so happy as a
writer that words I came up with on my front porch in a small town in a smaller
house were able to effect someone like that. Someone also reached out and said they
wish they would have had this song while their mom was battling and actually
thanked me for writing it. That hit me hard.

Lamitschka:  Who inspires you musically and how deep
do your musical roots run?

Answer:

Oh my goodness this could go on for years haha. I have so many favorites it’s
ridiculous. I adore Carrie Underwood all around, shes a stellar vocalist and
performer!! I love Kirk Hammett from Metallica as a guitarist, he inspires me
to play until I’m in pain haha Axl Rose is a killer vocalist and man can he
move on stage, and his lyrics are amazing!!!! I love lyrics by the band perry,
and rush has great lyrics as well!! Heart is amazing and I love the fact they
they are a sister team,!!!

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music scene
versus its post and where do you see it going in the future?

Answer:

I think it is steering down a bad road myself, which is so sad! Way back when,
people would walk into a label, sing, and from there, it was decided whether
their talent would speak for itself or not. Today’s market is not even close.
It is only based on who’s daughter is she, how much money do you have, how far
will you go without your morals, is he releated to so and so? If so, he gets
the job. Which leaves no room for the people like me, and the thousands of
others who were not born in Hollywood, who do not have the money, who do not
know anyone; we just thrive on performing. Anymore, that’s not good enough, and
it breaks my heart.

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music
industry?

Answer:

I think there are some killer songs and some killer artists out there! The
people who have made it to where they want to go have proved themselves and
have earned what we are all trying to achieve. It’s extremely hard to break in,
but once you do even, it’s a constant battle to stay in your spot.

Lamitschka:  If you had the chance to change
something about the music industry, what would it be?

Answer:

First of all, just how hard it is for the little man to even be noticed. Other
than that, I think I’d change how artists tend to be seen as perfected robots
who do not have feelings, or even a say about their daily lives. Pople can
trash them in magazines and blatantly lie, but they are basically stripped of
their rights because it’s the life they“chose.“ Excuse us for having a passion
to perform! Gawd! lol

Lamitschka:  As an artist, you so many tasks such as
recording, touring, interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite
activity?

Answer:

100% performing LIVE! I loooove to feed off an audience!

Lamitschka:  Are you doing anything to take music
beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?

Answer:

Oh I definitely want to expand beyond the borders! I want more realness, more
genuine sounds and more raw talent!

Lamitschka:  What drives you?

Answer:

My family really does, I see how much it means to them that I follow my heart
so any time it gets too hard I cannot give up! My brother, Dalton, really
drives me to do my best. He’s constantly by my side taking videos and pictures,
and helping me decide what outfit would look best to perform what song, and
just making sure I’m on my A game, and he’s brutally honest too!!! Another
thing that drives me is plain jealously haha I see other artists where I want
to be in my career and I think, if I stop now, then there is NO chance of me
ever getting to their level!

Lamitschka:  What’s unique about you that will
differentiate you from other artists?

Answer:

Hopefully my sound! I want people to know it’s me when they turn on the radio
and not have to wonder like „Wait, who is that? She sounds like so and so.“ I
hope to stand out in that way! I also hope to stand out just for being me! I
love wearing fringy clothes and being barefoot and riding my horses and barrel
racing and being outside, but also wearing polka dots and just laughing!

Lamitschka:  What has been your greatest challenge in
music business?

Answer:

Not giving up when you send out 45 emails in a day trying to get a label to
hear you and not one writes back. Not stopping when you call every label you
find online and leaving messages only to never have a returned message on your
phone. Not listeneing when people say No. Not quitting when you don’t get to
play at the music fest. Basically, looking forward.

Lamitschka:  What moments in your career stand out in
your memory as highlights and achievements which you are proud of?

Answer:

Being selected to sing the National Anthem for the Cleveland Indians!! I’m
pumped!!! And also getting to sing the Anthem on my horse, even though he
tinkled during it haha.And just getting to perform in general!

Lamitschka:  When you get time off, how do you like
to relax?

Answer:

I adore watching Paranormal Witness, it’s so interesting I love anything
paranormal! I love being outside and riding my horse and going for walks and
just enjoying the woods haha and Horros movies, oh man LOVE THEM.

Lamitschka:  Is there anything in your life that you
would change if you could?

Answer:

 Honestly? I would like to be further ahead with my
career! I appreciate what I have and I thank God for it, but I am so soo ready
to hit big stages and perform along side my idols.

Lamitschka:  What hopes and desires do you have?

Answer:

Something I hope and pray for, is to one day not be so in awe of my idols if
that makes sense? I want to be on their level rather with them! If I can
achieve being on their level, I want to be the person other artists look up to,
and aspire to be like, just as I do now with my idols. I want to help them and
let them know I came in the hard way too, and there is always hope!

Lamitschka:  What has been the biggest disappointment
in your life?

Answer:

A producer I once signed with, he promised me the world and treated me terribly
in the studio and just in everyday conversation. He acted like I was nothing,
amatuer, mediocre, and wouldn’t let me have creative freedom whatsoever. He
eneded up being nothing of what he said he was and I wasted almost 4 years
believing, and hoping it would be worth it, only to find out I was right the
entire time, and he was just a fraud. It was hard to take in.

Lamitschka:  Many European fans travel to the United
States to attend the several of the music festivals for the opportunity to see
so many of their favorite artists, bands and celebrities. Will you be
participating and how will the fans be able to find you?

Answer:

I’m praying I will be!!! They can find me just by looking around and seeing the
only uncontrollable laughing girl with an acoustic guitar just having the time
of her life!!! And probably signs, I’m sure there would be signs haha.

Lamitschka:  Is there any place you haven’t played
that you would like to?

Answer:

I would love to play at the CMA awards. And Id LOVE to play overseas!

Lamitschka:  What can your fans expect to see when
they see you in concert?

Answer:

ALOT of head banging (and a sore neck the next day) and just as much energy
as I can conjure at once. I love to be
wild on stage and really give a good show, while not jeapordizing my vocal
sound. I d hate for someone to leave saying well yeah she looked good but she
sounded terrible! I want them to leave all around pleased!

Lamitschka:  When you’re on tour, do you have time to
play tourist?

Answer:

So far, I’ve had a few spurts where I am performing somewhere every day or
ecery other, but they’ve all been closer to my home so I didnt have to actually
have a tour bus. But you bet if I was touring on a bus Id definitely make time
for it!!! Plus it would be a great way to meet fans!

Lamitschka:  Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do
they respect your privacy?

Answer:

My animals mob me haha

Lamitschka:  Many music fans today get their information
about artists online. Do you have your own website and what will fans find
there?

Answer:

Yes I do! I have twitter, facebook, instagram. YouTube and a Wix website. They
will find pictures and informtaion on upcoming events, and then also random pictures
of my animals. haha

 Lamitschka:  What message would you like to send your
European fans?

Answer:

Honestly, thank you SO much for lending me your ears, and your time, and your
hearts. Thankyou for seeing a light in me that I’ve been trying so hard to
display. Thank you for making my tears worth it and a story to tell. Thank you
for considering me an icon, an artist, and an idol. I will respond if you reach
out to me, and I am not shy. I love hearing stories of how my music has
effected you, and would love to see pictures of your animals too. Feel free to
contact me and like my pages, and never give up if you’re trying just as hard
as I am. If we get a big enough buzz going about my stuff, I can start
performin over seas as well and I would love if you all could help me get that
going!

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de ) for
Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

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