Mike Campbell Finds His Voice on New Dirty Knobs LP: Interview
Mike Campbell has been making data because the ’70s, most famously as a member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
“I’m grateful that I was part of that whole experience,” Campbell just lately informed UCR, chatting with his Heartbreaker days. It’s been a full decade because the band launched their final album, 2014’s Hypnotic Eye, and 6 and a half years since Petty’s passing, which successfully ended the Heartbreakers.
Campbell describes himself as “still grieving,” however tries to not spend an excessive amount of time dwelling. “If I think about it too hard, I’ll just get sad,” he says. In the previous 4 years, he is saved himself busy with new work, recording and performing along with his band the Dirty Knobs. As Campbell sees it, tinheritor third album, Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits (out June 14 by way of BMG), marks “huge growth” for him each lyrically and vocally. After years of working as Petty’s right-hand man and normally taking the backseat when it got here to singing — Campbell sang lead on precisely one Heartbreakers music, “I Don’t Wanna Fight” from 1999’s Echo — it is taken three albums value of labor to succeed in a spot the place he feels confident of his capability to entrance a band. “A lot of it is confidence,” he says.
UCR caught up with Campbell and talked about Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, together with its numerous visitor stars.
This is your third album with the Dirty Knobs, however clearly you have been on this enterprise a very long time. How would you say your strategy to songwriting has modified out of your early days to this new album?
Well, my strategy to songwriting is identical because it’s ever been. Except after I was partnered with Tom, I principally simply did music. I’d make music tracks and provides them to him and if he favored it, he would write the phrases. Now that he is gone, I’ve my very own band, I’m exploring the lyrics and the characters, in addition to the music. So that is a brand new frontier, however I’m actually taking to it and I’m simply attempting to get good at it, ? I see an enormous development in three albums. This new album, I feel, has some actually good lyrics, and the band, as at all times. And simply, , the music is simply — it is at all times there. I write on a regular basis, , and that hasn’t waned in any respect.
I wish to point out although, simply to hold on what you stated earlier than in regards to the feminine’s perspective. (This author spoke with Campbell beforehand about one other upcoming album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty.) One factor on this album that I like, which was an afterthought, was Lucinda Williams’ addition of her phrases within the music “Hell or High Water.” [I] reduce it as a Dirty Knobs music, after which listening again, it occurred to me and George Drakoulias, the producer: Wouldn’t or not it’s nice if this feminine character within the music truly got here in and sang on the music? When I considered Lucinda, I assumed, God, if she would do it, that might be good. And she got here via with flying colours, she put a lot coronary heart and soul into that verse. So there’s an instance [of a] music from a lady’s perspective including far more depth to the music.
Totally. It would have been a completely completely different observe with out that. It’s nice that you’ve got these contacts at your disposal that you may name up.
The company on the document weren’t me going out and cherry-picking folks. They’re simply individuals who appeared to indicate up. Like Graham Nash, who did an unbelievable job. He was doing an interview with me and I obtained up the braveness to ask him if he would perhaps sing on one music (“Dare to Dream”), which he did. Chris Stapleton I feel was on the town that weekend getting a Grammy or one thing and he got here by the home. Here, would you sing on this music? And [Benmont Tench came over] and put piano on it, . So the company have been form of afterthoughts, however in every case, they made the music approach higher.
Listen to Graham Nash Guest on Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs’ ‘Dare to Dream’
Did Graham document his elements remotely or did he additionally come by your studio? I do know he lives in New York and also you’re in L.A.
No, I had already reduce the music. It was completed. And I did the interview with him, and , I’m an enormous Hollies fan, the ’60s, all these bands. So simply with the ability to have a dialog with him was fantastic. And I used to be actually form of sheepish like, I did not assume he would say sure. … I stated “Would you be interested maybe in trying to sing on something?” And he goes, “Sure, I’ll make your song better.” [Laughs] So I had the observe. He went again to New York. I despatched him the observe, as lots of people do now, he did his vocals and mailed it again to me and I misplaced my thoughts. It was so good.
There have been a number of tracks on this album that after I heard them, I assumed “Wow, Mike’s voice sounds great.” You’ve actually grown into your function as lead singer, from the primary Dirty Knobs album (2020’s Wreckless Abandon) to this one. How do you’re feeling about your singing now?
Wow, can I ship you some flowers? [Laughs] I thanks for saying that. I’m getting used to it, ? And I’ve somewhat Florida slang that comes via from time to time. But I do not sound like Tom. When I first began singing…I truly did sound lots like him as a result of we speak lots the identical and stuff. But I feel I’ve labored onerous to form of filter that out via the three albums, and there’ll at all times be little little bit of that Southern factor in there. I feel I discovered a voice that I’m snug with. I’m not a Roy Orbison, [but] I’ve the persona of sure characters that I put throughout. And lots of it’s confidence, Allison. If you get assured and work on the voice somewhat bit and consider that you just pulled it off, , that is lots of the sport proper there. So my confidence has grown as I hold working on it. But thanks for that flatter, that was fantastic.
And that goes for stay exhibits, too. I’d think about that you just additionally really feel some confidence if you’re up in entrance of a crowd that is encouraging you.
Oh, yeah. You know, it is fascinating, as a result of I play with the Dirty Knobs, it is our songs, it is our journey, however I’m nonetheless a member of this legacy. And I generally will do a number of Heartbreakers songs simply out of respect for Tom as a result of the gang likes them and I like singing a few of them. But the gang, yeah. When they’re there for you and supporting you…I get the sense that lots of the folks within the viewers that know me and my years are pulling for me. … I’m looking for my very own approach they usually’re supporting me they usually’re serving to me get there.
Speaking of singing, your spouse, Marcie, sings some backing vocals on the music “Hands Are Tied.” Is that the primary time she’s achieved that on one in all your albums?
That’s a shaggy dog story. Because, , she normally sings round the home. She’s not a singer per se, however all via my life — , I’ll be doing a demo and I’ll say “Why don’t you come in and put a little part on this?” “No, no, no, I don’t sing.” On this album…she goes, “You know what? I think I’d like to sing on this one.” And I stated “Really?” I used to be in shock. I stated “Okay, well, we got this song. All you got to do is go ahhhhh.” [Laughs] And her sound and her really feel on it actually helped the music lots.
You have a notice in your credit thanking Stevie Nicks for the “cool dulcimer.” And you are truly holding the instrument on the quilt of the album. Can you inform me about that?
Yeah, I hope she sees the quilt, ‘trigger I feel she is going to respect it. There’s a narrative with that. When I used to be doing the Mac mission we have been at rehearsal sooner or later, and Mick Fleetwood got here in with a kind of personalized dulcimers, simply stunning. And I used to be speaking to him about it and saying “Oh, this is really a nice instrument.” I assume she overheard the dialog and per week later, I stroll in and he or she says “Here, this is for you.” She went and purchased one identical to it for me. I used to be blown away. In reality, I even wrote the music — “Innocent Man” was written on that dulcimer, on the album. But the humorous factor is, I took it residence and performed it — it is in my studio — after which a few weeks later, she got here up, she stated, “You probably never even play it, do you?” [Laughs] I stated “I play it all the time!” You know, that is so Stevie. So I hope that she sees the quilt and is aware of that I coated it and used it.
You’ve had plenty of full circle moments, so to talk, in the previous few years. I’m considering of your time touring with Fleetwood Mac and reconnecting with Stevie Nicks, or taking part in with Bob Dylan at Farm Aid final 12 months. You additionally shot the “Dare to Dream” music video with the Dirty Knobs on the Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was the place the Heartbreakers signed their very first document deal. Is there anything alongside these strains you’d love to do? Anything you wish to revisit?
Well, I loved the Tulsa factor fairly a bit. That was not my concept, however the concept got here up [from] administration. And I assumed it was very touching to return the place Tom and I had handed via on the way in which to get a document deal and to revisit that vitality and people ghosts within the studio there. I loved that lots. But to be trustworthy with you, I’d relatively like, assume ahead and never assume backward as a result of generally nostalgia could be unhappy, ? I’m actual happy with that video, although. But I feel I wish to transfer ahead and assume ahead.
READ MORE: All 47 Tom Petty Videos Ranked Worst to Best
Speaking of blasts from the previous: The Wallflowers are going to be taking part in a present in L.A. later this 12 months and the plan is for them to carry out the whole lot of their album Bringing Down the Horse, which you performed on, and in addition the whole lot of the Heartbreakers’ Long After Dark. What do you consider that?
You know, it is fantastic that individuals are pulling out this music and revisiting it, , and I like Dylan — Jakob Dylan. I performed on their first single, “Sixth Avenue [Heartache],” which was actually enjoyable and I’ve at all times been happy with his profession. And I feel he is taken on lots to do all these songs in a single set, however extra energy to him. I’m certain he’ll do an ideal job.
Listen to Mike Campbell on the Wallflowers’ ‘sixth Avenue Heartache’
What are you most wanting ahead to about touring with this new Knobs music?
I’m thrilled past to exit on the highway with my band and play the brand new album. I’m actual happy with it and the songs sound nice in rehearsal. And the present will probably be lots of the brand new album, and I’ll be throwing in a few shock Heartbreaker songs that I feel folks will like right here and there.
Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers: Where Are They Now?
The surviving members proceed to forge new paths.
Gallery Credit: Allison Rapp
