So, I’ve been looking back over your previous videos, which put over a hard rocking party kind of girl, and band, but on your new single, Hittin The Free Road, the sound seems to have mellowed leaning more toward a southern rock kind of vibe,and your image has changed a bit too, bringing in some country elements. Is this a change of direction, or is it just for this single?
I think there has been elements of southern rock in our previous singles with the guitar riffs and big choruses, so we’ve just kind of leaned into it a bit more as we really enjoy that element of our music and wanted to push ourselves musically and spread our wings a bit. I think it is just showing natural progression within the band, we’re still a hard
rocking party kind of band and I don’t think we’ll ever lose that fun/rebellious side but maybe that can be coupled with now wearing cowgirl boots and hat as I’m in no rush to take them off haha!
You’ve been playing since you were fifteen,I presume that means playing in a band - when did you first start to learn, and did you have ambitions to be a rock star then, or did you just feel the urge to play?
That’s right, I started playing guitar around 11/12 and I initially just wanted to play along to what I was listening to. I spent hours and I mean hours on guitar hero and my Grandad turned around and said maybe you should spend all these hours playing an actual guitar and it got me thinking. Once I had a few riffs under my belt, Spoonman (Soundgarden), In Bloom (Nirvana) I started jamming with other musicians and
playing at open mic nights and I was bitten by the bug and wanted to see how far I could go with live performance.
Did you start playing electric, or did you start out on acoustic?
I started out playing Classical Guitar and completed ABRSM grades to the highest level, I could already read music as I’d played flute from the age of 8 and my music teacher encouraged me to go for Classical guitar as not many people did it and she thought I was capable, I thank her for that now as I definitely would not be the player I am today without that solid background knowledge behind me.
What was your first guitar?
A ¾ sized nylon string green and black, nothing fancy but I loved it and still have it to this day.
When you were first learning to play who were your main influences?
Slash, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Metallica, Nickelback.
Who has been added into that influence field in the last ten years, as I think as an artist you continue to listen to other artists and a certain few resonate enough to influence. Joanne Shaw Taylor, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Korn, Band Of Skulls.
Who introduced you to the hard rock genre, or did you just pick up on it naturally and think yeah that’s the groove for me?
My parents always played it in the house and car growing up but then my Uncle got me into the heavier stuff through my teenage years and a lot of the bands he used to play in the car I used to go home and listen to and have never stopped listening to.
This is the second single of 2024, is there an album planned, or in the making?, And if there is, is it going to be in the same groove as this single.
The album is halfway now and we will be heading back to the studio to complet it in the new year. It’s going to be Loz Campbell that I can promise but as for southern country rock there will always be elements but I’m wanting to keep options open to not limit my colour palate so to speak when writing.
I notice when you play live you really like to connect with your audience, not only from the stage but mingling in the crowd. Do you feel this enhances your performance, or is it just a need to up close and personal to your fans?
I do enjoy having a wander, people seem to enjoy it and I love seeing people smile. I like to let some people strum my guitar I think it helps to bond us and fans, we’re all people that love music and I’ve never been into being an untouchable figure that some people parade around pretending to be, I’ll always sit down and have a beer and a chat or let them strum my guitar over the barrier. It’s also an extra way for them to remember the band, for example if they were to see us on a festival line up,
they might so to their mates “oh she let me play her guitar one time”.
You have done some great supports, which was your favourite, and why?
It’s so hard to pick one because yes we have done some great support slots and I am so grateful! I have to say Marco Mendoza was great to tour with and so friendly.
What equipment do you use?
I have a 1975 Gibson limited edition (thin) Les Paul. PRS SE custom (which I have used for most of the recent recordings), super badass distortion pedal is currently my favorite pedal and a 4x12 Marshall cab and a 100 DSL head.
What influences your lyrics, obviously being on the road influenced the single, but is there a topic, or topics which pull you back again and again?
I try and keep it fresh and never over do a subject so sometimes I can have periods where I don’t write because nothing has happened to influence me. I never force it.
Do you write the lyrics first or the music?
Usually I hear both at the same time and it hits me like a wave and I have to quickly grab a guitar or make a voice note if I am out and about.
Do the band contribute to the song writing, or do you come in with the finished article.
I approach the band with songs and then we go through together and rearrange and hone them before going into the studio.
Thanks for answering these questions Loz, and I’ll be sure to come along to a gig if you play Manchester way. And good luck with the single and whatever other projects you have lined up.
Many thanks Andy, look forward to seeing you at a gig!
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