Kasey Chambers explains concept behind Campfire album
Kasey Chambers says that her 12th album Campfire, due on April 27, is a concept she’s wanted to do all her life.
“I grew up in the remote outback of Australia living a unique lifestyle isolated from civilisation,” the premium country singer-songwriter explains.
“The campfire was the heart of our existence: for survival, creativity, inspiration.
“We hunted all our own food and then cooked it on the campfire.
“My brother (producer Nash Chambers) and I did all our schooling via correspondence around the campfire.
“We used the campfire for warmth and light.
“We gathered around the campfire at night to play songs together as a family.
“Our connection to music and the land has developed through and around the campfire since I was born, so it has always stayed with me as a special part of my life.”
Having grown up listening to the music of Emmylou Harris, Chambers is thrilled that the US country star makes a guest appearance on the track ‘The Harvest & The Seed’.
“It is an absolute dream come true that I actually have Emmylou Harris singing a duet with me,” she adds.
“She ended up being an ‘honorary’ Fireside Disciple for the album.”
Also on the album are her band The Fireside Disciples, consisting of her father Bill (“my absolute inspiration”), Brandon Dodd, who has toured the world with Kasey over the last three years and Alan Pigram of Broome band The Pigram Bros.
Pigram, a long time family friend and Indigenous elder features on the lead off single ‘The Campfire Song’.
Campfire represents the connection she’s had to different lands and cultures throughout her life.
It draws from the regions that have influenced her the most – Australia, Africa, Norfolk Island and America.
“All these places have had a significant impact on shaping who I am both musically and personally,” expands the caffeine-addicted singer who cites Lucinda Williams’ Sweet Old World as the record that changed her life.
“From my early years of my family drawing from the Aboriginal way of life in the outback of Australia to experiencing the African culture and immediately connecting with it, living the seaside lifestyle in Southend, South Australia and later on, my time living on Norfolk Island to then many years of touring throughout America and being inspired by their musical culture…
“I have taken all of those experiences and put them into the songs and sounds for Campfire…”
Chambers is set to play almost 40 shows on a three month tour, beginning in Casino, NSW, on Wednesday May 23 and concludes at Wonthaggi, Vic, on Saturday August 18.
Full dates are at her official website.