FEATURE: Spotlight: Camden Cox — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Camden Cox

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HERE is an artist…

PHOTO CREDIT: Amelia Walker for 1883 Magazine

that I featured on my blog back in 2017. She has forged a wonderful career and has accrued a loyal and loving fanbase. I wanted to push her music to more people. Someone who I think is going to be a big name, she is an amazing songwriter and D.J. If you have not heard of the wonderful Camden Cox, then do make sure that you check her out. It has been a very busy past few years for the incredible Cox. I think that she will continue to put out music that you just have to listen to. Earlier this month, she released her phenomenal new song, Elevated. I will come to an interview that is based around that. Before that, here is an interview from 2020. VENTS MAGAZINE spoke to Camden Cox about her recent success, in addition to what she had coming up for the rest of that year:

“With the major recognition you got last year – do you feel increased pressure with your new material?

Not at all, if anything it’s just inspired me and my project! I have so much cool stuff in the making so it’s given me a bit of a platform to get my own music out there! I’m feeling proper motivated, especially since I released ‘Healing’ a few weeks ago and it’s doing pretty well, I can’t wait to show more.

What other music do you have coming up over the coming months?

Another exciting collab, plus my next single!! 2020 is looking good!

Any plans to hit the road?

Not immediately, but it’s definitely a dream of mine so watch this space…

What else is happening next in Camden Cox’s world?

You’ll be hearing a lot more of my songwriting! I have co-writes coming out that I’ve done for other artists so I’m really buzzing about that because songwriting is a huge part of what I do, and I’m proud of everything that I’m a part of”.

Camden Cox is a respected and inspiring D.J. As an artist, she may be new to you. I am not sure whether there is an album coming later in the year, but you definitely need to have her on your radar. Someone who I have a lot of respect and admiration for, Camden Cox is one of Britain’s finest voices and talents. I hope that the music and interviews I have dropped in here give you a greater impression and understanding of Cox. Next, I want to draw from 1883 Magazine’s interview with her:

“You have been in the dance world for such a long time but I think it shows a lot about how seriously people take their artistry when they are interested in exploring other areas. From a listener’s perspective, artists who get involved in the production and have input show that they care about their art in all aspects of it.

Yeah, I think, to be honest, I always want to go bigger and better. That’s just always been who I am. I’m always trying to aim higher. I think what made me believe that I could expand my skills that was during lockdown I learned vocal produce and learn and understand all of the ins and outs of vocal production. I never used to record my vocals. I used to just be the singer and the writer and when I added that to my toolkit, I started to think that I could probably lean into a bit of production. Then I thought maybe I could start DJing because it’s all about waveforms and knowing the sequences of the bars, the keys to the songs and the BPMs. It’s like a jigsaw that you can bring together.

How do you think this has changed you as an artist?

I think seeing the crowd’s reactions and what makes them tick was just really inspiring. Although I was concentrating because I didn’t want to make any mistakes, I was keeping an eye on what the crowd was loving and when they moved away and went to get a drink, or when they all started to dance. I got some amazing tips from MistaJam as well because the music that I make is quite euphoric and emotional.

The tips that MistaJam had given me were “you don’t have to stick to the dark, emotional euphoric vibes because people are going to want to party, pick your songs wisely.” He let me have freedom of what I played, but he gave some great words of advice to help the crowd not to switch off. I know that it can differ for each venue and time slots and the vibe of the night, I just thought you know what, this is a great opportunity to just pay a lot of my songs. So the set ended up being 80% of my songs. I wouldn’t have done that if he hadn’t given me those tips. I think that’s why I was so so chuffed with how it went down as well. because knowing that it was a lot of my songs that people were dancing to, and there was one that maybe people didn’t realize I’d written in there as well. Seeing people sing along to them was just… Well, it was a massive eye-opener for me that I’ve come a long way. So it’s an amazing feeling.

Do you think now you’ve seen a different perspective of your music that writing will be different for you?

I think it will be. it’s helped me to understand what crowds want and what they want to dance to and when to drop the more emo moments. When to make them cry and when to pick them back up again. I think it just helps you understand the dynamics of dance music.

I’m just curious, how different is it to be able to play your music to people and watch them react to it compared to singing it live and watching them react then? It must be different.

It’s weird, it’s so different because when I’m singing, I’m so lost in my world in my head and thinking about getting the vocals perfect. I don’t have a chance to see what the crowd is even doing. Evert time I come offstage, it’s sad because I don’t even remember half of it because it is so overwhelming. Whereas with this, the concentration and my world in my head are there when I mix a song but then I’ve got two minutes of the song to play out and I can channel it into the room. It’s like being in a different dimension. When I’m DJing, I have two different dimensions and I can nip in and then nip back out whereas with singing, I feel like I’m just in that one dimension and I don’t even see the crowd’s reaction, I get so lost in the moment when I’m singing. My lyrics are quite raw, I think I delve deep into the emotion when I’m singing them. This gave me a whole new perspective where I could be present in the room at the same time”.

Prior to winding things up, I will quote from an interesting House of Solo interview. Elevated is a blinding new track from the sensational Camden Cox. As an interviewee, artist, and D.J., she is so compelling and impressive. I am going to look with interest to see what comes next from her. Everything Camden Cox has a hand in is magnificent:

“Over’ is your first release since signing with RCA, tell us more about the concept and meaning behind the single?

The song is about that crazy transition after you’ve broken up but you’re both still hanging around – unable to let go! Feelings are all mixed up and you’re questioning whether it’s actually the end.

To coincide with the release you’ve also shared the music video, how was the filming process? The video captures the essence of the song.

Ahhh I loved helping out the concept together for the video, I knew exactly what I wanted it to portray, as I basically wanted to recreate the exact moment I went through it. The house we filmed in was so cold! I think my lips may have even turned blue under my lipstick but it was absolutely worth it, the crew smashed it!

MistaJam called you “one of the most prolific songwriters in the dance music world”. What is your creative process when writing music and how do you get into the zone whilst writing?

I always start with melodies, once the producer has laid down some lush chords I just start doing my thing without thinking about it too much. It’s usually the first idea that turns out to be the best! Sometimes I just improvise on the mic and find the vibe, then I add the lyrics to it! I absolutely love it.

What have been some of your favourite tracks to write to date?

Kx5 feat. Hayla – Escape! I’ve been a huge fan of kaskade and deadmaus, heavily influenced by them, so to have written one of their tunes was another pinch me moment! I’ve actually written my next single with Hayla as well, so you can expect some of the same vibes – it’s another of my faves!

I’ve read that you’ve done sessions with Gorgon City, 220 Kid, LP Giobbi, Anabel Englund and Meduza. How was that experience and what did you learn whilst in sessions with them?

All of the above are absolute icons so to be honest, surreal! We all have the same taste in music so it’s a nice process with all of them. I gain confidence working with these kinds of artists because the talent is incredible, so to collaborate is an honour!

Having made some great dance driven music, what are some of your earliest music memories of dance music and what inspired you to pursue making within the dance genre?

My mum promoted drum and bass nights in Lincoln and Birmingham when I was super young so I grew up with her mixtapes! My voice suits heavy beats as well so it was kind of a no brainer for me to fall into dance music. I love anthemic music so that’s all I’ve ever wanted to make!

What are some of your goals for the rest of the year?

I have my first festival booking which is so exciting – so if I can get more of those I’ll be happy! I love performing live so getting back on stage is the main thing, I also can’t wait to release some of this new music I’ve been working on! I’m so ready”.

If you get a chance to see her play or perform near you, then definitely do go! Keep an eye out on her official website and social media channels. Someone who is primed and ready for the major stages and big leagues, Camden Cox is a sensation! If you have not heard her or she is new to you, then make sure that you go and…