Tony Campanella and the joy that comes in channeling emotions through a voice, and a guitar.
Tony Campanella talks the love of playing music, The St Louis Music scene, the Mississippi Rivers part in spreading the blues and the joy that comes in channeling emotions through a voice, and a guitar.
Vizions of Rock: Who plays what instruments in the band?
TONY CAMPANELLA: Me on guitars and vocals, Nick Collico on Bass and Terry Melton on Drums
Vizions of Rock: How did the band come together and how long have you been together?
TONY CAMPANELLA: I’ve been playing with Terry for well over a decade. Nick is my cousin, he joined about six or so years ago. I lose count. Terry has been on the STL music scene for a long time and joined me when my old drummer left. I always knew him to be a bad-ass player. This is the first band experience for Nick, although he learned a lot from players in the STL scene. He is solid as a rock.
Vizions of Rock: How would you describe your sound?
TONY CAMPANELLA: Generally, I guess one would classify as Rockin Blues. It really is a conglomeration of all of my influences and loves: Blues, Rock, Soul, Motown, jazz. It’s all in there!
Vizions of Rock: As a follow up - How does your song come together, what is the creative process?
TONY CAMPANELLA: I’ve never considered myself to really be a songwriter. It does not come easily for me. It usually starts with a guitar riff, or bass line. Then I try to pull together some words, usually from the heart. Sometimes it’s a phrase that I found catchy or inspired some further thought.
Vizions of Rock: At the age of 11, you picked up a guitar. What inspired you to play at such a young age and do you remember the first song you played live?
TONY CAMPANELLA: I can’t pinpoint the inspiration, other than I just loved music, and wanted to do something more interactive with it. As opposed to just listening. After I started, my uncles were huge influences, feeding me music, pushing me to keep going. The first live song I ever played was for my grandpa, Pete. He loved the song Proud Mary. Once I had practiced it enough to feel good with it, I played it for him.
Vizions of Rock: We have interviewed several bands from Saint Louis. How is the Saint Louis music scene and why do you think so many musicians gravitate to that region of the country?
TONY CAMPANELLA: The scene has always been vibrant, and diverse. You can find any genre of music being performed here any night of the week. That is pretty strong for a city the size of St Louis. Blues has always had a strong tie here. Lots of the elder Blues statesmen lived here, or played here, or came through here. The Mississippi River played a huge part in spreading the blues from down South to the rest of the country. There are a lot of music lovers here. The public supports live music with a ferocity you don’t see in many other markets. We love our live music in STL.
Vizions of Rock: How do you think the music industry has changed over the last 25 years and is there anything that you wish you could change about it?
TONY CAMPANELLA: I don’t know much about the “industry”. I have played the local scene for a lot of years but haven’t ventured far from my hometown. STL has never really been an “industry” city. I think that is why the scene is so diverse. People just play what feels good to them. They aren’t worried about fitting any “industry” mold.
Vizions of Rock: Do have any advice for up and coming musicians who want to follow in your footstep, aside from “Stay in school” and “Don’t quit your day job”?
TONY CAMPANELLA: I’m the last guy to offer advice. If I had to, I would say “Play because you love to do it. Never lose the love of playing. If that time comes, find something else you love, and do it. If you’re only doing it to be rich and famous, you’ve already lost the plot.
Vizions of Rock: Is there a message that you’re trying to communicate with your music?
TONY CAMPANELLA: No message really. It is really more of an emotional outlet for me. The joy comes in channeling those emotions through a voice, and a guitar, and touching someone else’s emotions with the music.
Vizions of Rock: You have played and/or opened for some really established bands in the industry. What artists or band meant the most to you to play with or open for?
TONY CAMPANELLA: Being able to open for someone who was influential on your playing is such a huge rush. Koko Taylor was great because she was such a legend. Robin Trower was s major influence for me. Opening for him was a dream come true. My absolute favorite was Deep Purple, because they were the coolest of people, even when they didn’t have to be.
Vizions of Rock: Who are your influences?
TONY CAMPANELLA: That is a list that is just too long for this interview, Lol. Listen to the record, and you tell me!
Vizions of Rock: What is on the horizon for the future?
TONY CAMPANELLA: Maybe another record next year. Right now, just trudging through this virus like everyone else.
Vizions of Rock: How can we find you music?
TONY CAMPANELLA:
as well as all of the digital outlets
