Montreal Poet and Songwriter Brian Campbell Keeps The Flow On His A Crystal Rim EP
Montreal songwriter Brian Campbell digs deep to find inspiration from his topsy-turvy life as a poet, and his practices as a Buddhist, to spread joy and hope on his EP release A Crystal Rim, out now.
The EP features adaptations of poems by renowned poets such as Hafiz and Rumi as well as an original composition inspired by their work. With the work rooted in allegory of famous poems, A Crystal Rim leaves listeners wanting to sit with the work for a while due to its richness that’s rooted in sounds of folk.
“All my adult life, ever since I encountered them, I have also been enthralled by the ecstatic visions of the Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz. After voluminous reading, certain fingerstyle riffs on a nylon stringed guitar evoked memory of the three poems I set to music here,” says Campbell.
While recording the set of five songs, Campbell called on some prominent guest artists, arrangers, and engineers into his creative process to build on his roots sound he started putting together over 30 years ago. The release reflects Campbell’s passion for making music and poetry and his desire to offer joy and hope in these troubled times.
A Crystal Rim is a collection of heartfelt songs that showcase Campbell’s dexterous fingerstyle guitar playing and impassioned vocals. The EP has a warmth and joyfulness in and along with its sorrow, while his performances are known for captivating audiences with his storytelling and beautifully crafted songs.
Fans of Campbell’s work can expect a mix of poetic lyrics, melodic guitar playing, and soulful singing on A Crystal Rim. The EP is a testament to Campbell’s dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with audiences through his music.
Campbell’s latest release A Crystal Rim will have listeners experience the beauty and richness of some of his best musical offerings to date.
Care to introduce yourself?
I’m Brian Campbell, a Montreal poet and songwriter who was born and raised in Toronto. I’ve released two full-length albums and a couple of EPs of original music and published several collections of poetry. My songwriting is driven by riffs on acoustic guitar; I’m captivated by plucked and strummed sounds coming out of wood. I’ve been influenced by people like Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Gordon Lightfoot, as well as Latin American songwriters like Pablo Milanés and Victor Jara (I speak and read Spanish as well as French). Lyrics hold a special place for me: I like a song where you’re hanging onto every word.
Tell us about the process of recording A Crystal Rim?
The recording process — despite delays and inconveniences caused by the pandemic — was as smooth and pleasant as could be imagined. The songs I had composed years before were well-honed. The arranger/recording engineer I really work well with – we’ve been working together since 2019 – and he and the guest artists, I could feel, felt privileged to be a part of its creative process. This behind-the-scenes video is evidence of that. (It was recorded, by the way, when people were beginning to take off their masks). During the pandemic, I really had no album project in mind – an album couldn’t be launched in public anyway. I recorded some twenty-odd singles, recording what I felt like doing when I felt like doing it. Twelve of them came together into my 2022 full-length album, “By the River’s Blue.” Those that coalesced into “A Crystal Rim” – translations put to music of Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz and the like, seemed to belong together and I didn’t see them making the cut on my next album project, a more political and socially contentious one I’m calling “Let’s Talk”. So I put this out, as a kind of respite and salve for these difficult times.
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
Definitely Bruce Cockburn. His superb songwriting and guitar playing still set a standard in my mind. As you get older, you acquire more points of reference, and it gets harder to be “blown away” by anyone. But Terra Spencer really impresses me.
What’s an album that you have in your collection that would surprise people?
Broken by Nine Inch Nails. I got it when a nephew who sang in a rock band mentioned them as one of his influences. I remember being impressed with its trenchant, edgy honesty. I may just give them another listen.
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Be true to yourself; do your thing and do it as well as you can.
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