Subscribe
now to receive all the new
music
Art As Catharsis releases,
including
61 back-catalog items,
delivered instantly to you via the Bandcamp app for iOS and Android.
Learn more.
“Whatever Happened To Xanadu” is the breathtaking new single from Canadian-Australian indie troubadour Brian Campeau. Propulsive and stirring, piled high with glittering guitar hooks and multi-layered production, this song of sweet longing is the first taste of Campeau’s upcoming fourth solo album – to be released by Small Pond recordings in collaboration with their Australian soulmates Art As Catharsis.
The fresh, immediate impact of this track reflects a rapid creative process. Those familiar with Campeau’s previous work (in particular his last acclaimed album ‘Don’t Overthink it, Overthink, Overthinking’ (2015), which comprised one- and two-take recordings, made over a mere five days) will be versed in his talent for trusting his instincts and capturing a fresh creative spark. For an artist of such virtuosic musical talent and extensive classical training, this was a lesson hard learned, but one that has sparked in him a deeply felt happiness and sense of freedom.
Brian Campeau is widely regarded as one of the most confounding and creative artists working in Australia today. In addition to his previous solo albums (which also include 2007’s ‘Two Faces’ and 2009’s ‘Mostly Winter, Sometimes Spring’) he has recorded and toured as one half of folk-pop act The Rescue Ships and as part of Sydney’s bluegrass revivalists The Green Mohair Suits, while also producing records for the likes of Melanie Horsnell in his St Peters studio. Drawing influence from a limitless range of styles, Campeau has described his own music in the past, with characteristic wry clarity, as “Bjork meets Nick Drake, or Cass McCombs getting depressed and calling Air for consolation”.
Belying its initial simplicity and lullaby-esque appeal, beneath the winsome falsetto vocal of “Whatever Happened To Xanadu” lie complex rhythmic patterns and a melee of meticulously picked guitar melodies that reveal more of themselves with each listen, for a compelling glimpse of the full album to come.
credits
released March 29, 2018
Brian Campeau: guitar and Vox
Daniel Pliner: keys
Joel Burton: bass
Nicolas Meredith: drums
Written by Brian Campeau
Recorded and produced by Brian Campeau at The Plex, St Peters NSW, and Preston VIC
supported by 8 fans who also own “Whatever Happened To Xanadu?”
Hashshashin's music is a bold fusion of sound and style, excitingly blending power with finesse to create sounds from another world. Urgent compositions possessing thunderous speed are swiftly countered by moody passages where darkness lies – each track attracts with unique attributes. Michael Reilly
supported by 6 fans who also own “Whatever Happened To Xanadu?”
This is fantastic,new band to me,Painkiller comparisons,but this just feels effortless and innovative at the same time.Brilliant from beginning to end.Dead Neanderthals on anti-depressants,in a good way! Michael Carter
Alec Bowman perfectly captures the dark soil under the pastoral world of British folk with this collection of melancholy originals. Bandcamp New & Notable May 12, 2020
supported by 5 fans who also own “Whatever Happened To Xanadu?”
Happy to be able to give some support back to a label that has introduced me to so many quality artists. There's quite a few more on here too! Fiery The Angels Fell