Introduction
Cam Cole, the heaviest one-man band on the planet, has a truly fascinating story. After honing his skills busking on street corners, he now plays shows in front of thousands. He tours major countries and even appeared on the award-winning TV series Ted Lasso.
Cam’s relentless drive has propelled him to make huge strides. He has even had a documentary made about his life and music. Blending blues, metal, rock, stoner, grunge, and folk, his dynamic live performances continue to wow spectators. That’s no surprise, he can not only sing and play the guitar, but also plays his trusty Farmer footdrums. We were fortunate to have Cam answer our questions. We’re beyond excited to share our exclusive interview.
For Fans Of – Black River Delta / The Bones Of J.R Jones / The Stone Foxes
Interview
From Busking To Big Stages
How does it feel to go from busking to playing in front of so many people?
I love busking, because it’s the best way to test if what I do is really good. If I can win over a crowd of strangers that don’t give a sh*t and have other things to do, then that means there must be something in my tunes people like. Touring is totally different.
People spend their hard-earned cash and take time to see me. They have expectations so I better deliver, it takes a bit more focus and preparation but when a club is really bouncing, and the crowd is having it there is nothing like it. I live for those nights.
You’re joining Massive Wagons on their UK tour, how amazing is that?!
I wanted to do a support tour for a while now, so I am super stoked the guys are taking me for the ride. I haven’t opened for someone in a while and It’s gonna be fun having to win a crowd over that have never heard of me or particularly cares. It’s a bit like busking I guess again.
You have appeared on the immensely popular tv show Ted Lasso. How did that come about and was the intention to always play yourself rather than change your name?
Jason Sudeikis, who is an amazing guy by the way and just as nice off screen as on screen, was looking for an actor that could play a busker. They couldn’t find any so they typed “London Busker” into YouTube and I came up.
When they reached out first, we thought it was a prank. They wanted me to play a character called Barney something… Don’t remember now exactly but I said I’m shit at acting just let me do my thing. He liked my tune “Mama” so much he was like alright let’s do it. Changed my life that guy.
If you could change one thing about your musical journey so far what would it be and why?
Not listening to music industry w*nkers wasting my time promising everything and then doing f*ck all. My thing started working once I focused on what I have to do next and started working with people that were like that. There are too many bullsh*tters in this thing.
Documentary & Creative Vision
How did the documentary idea come about?
Haha honestly nothing to do me with. This amazing dude Todd Erickson contacted my manager with this film idea of an outsider that is influenced by the blues discovering its roots. It was a trip mate, meeting all those legends was quite something.
Other than the recent documentary soundtrack to you have plans to release another album anytime soon?
Yes mate, I am recording it right now. If you saw the end of the documentary, there is a bit in there about me talking about bringing some more beat focused elements into the blues and make it my own mixture. It’s gonna be that and then some…
Touring & Dream Destinations
You’re at the airport. The destination is your dream country to play in, where are you buying tickets for and why?
India. Love it out there and would love to tour there some day.
Of all the countries you have toured in so far, which one had the best food and which one had the best atmosphere at your shows?
Food…..honestly I’m a brit at heart. I love my morning tea. But the Belgians do breakfast really well. Atmosphere…I found it depends more on the city than the country, but Berlin was a mad one, Brisbane down in Australia, Seattle…
I tell you what I loved Quebec!!!! Amazing crowd. But honestly the best crowd I ever had was right at home in Bristol at Thekla. One of the best nights of my life!
Where in the UK has the best fans?
All over mate, touring UK is great. I had great people turn up in every city I played. But I’d say Sheffield and Bristol are a rowdy bunch and I love that.
Influences & Signature Sound
Looking at the Spotify playlist called “Cam’s Influences” there is many artists we adore in there… If you had to pick one band out of that playlist as the ones that influenced, you the most who would it be and why?
Ah dude I can’t. I get bored quickly and my whole thing is mixing different genres into a new thing and serving it to people.
It’s not bands I’m influenced by sounds…if you take the riffs from metal and stoner rock, the drums from electronic music and hip hop and add the slide and the feel from blues…what could that be…? I think about it in those terms.
If you had to pick 1 of your songs and say “This is Cam Cole” which song would it be and why?
Truth Be Told, I guess. Hard for me to say man because I also do some metal and heavy rock in the end which are some of my favourites, but I guess Truth Be Told sums what I do up quite nicely with the beats, the slide, the distorted vocals…so yeah that one, I guess.
What was the learning process like learning to play the foot drums and guitar at the same time?
Honestly everyone says I must be so talented. Let me tell you it’s got nothing to do with that. I am just more patient, it’s just hundreds of hours getting stoned and not getting frustrated when unlocking beats on the foot drum. That’s it, no secret you just have to do it.
What famous rock song from another band do you think you would be able to cover and put your own spin on?
I have done that I think with Iron Man by Black Sabbath. I like my cover of that one.
Which of your songs do you think has the best lyrics?
I got a couple ones that I like but I found out of all of them “Myself” seems to mean a lot to people. F### You Mothferf##### has some good ones. The ones in “Home” mean a lot to me.
One-Man Band, Future Plans & Collaborations
As a one-man band does it ever get lonely, and do you think at any point you might consider turning this into fully fleshed out band with more members?
Yes 100% but I want to do it in a way that keeps the core of what I do and what people like. If you saw my recent shows, I added some of my friends as a percussionist and a mad dancer dressed as wizards to it and crowds loved it.
I’m working on this mental DnB Rave Rock project called New Age Collective with a lot of my mates and I think some of them will naturally end up in a Cam Cole show. So yeah, the plan is to add people to it, a bassist here, some female vocals there etc. but still keep some of it as a one-man band. I basically want it to be this mad wizard circus coming to town entertaining people.
You collaborated with Arthur Buezo on your single Rip Roar, what is he like to work with and how did the collaboration come about?
It was a jam we did during soundcheck early on in the tour. We then started playing it as his last song and my first together, so I would basically come on and play the tune with Arthur and then he would go off. It was awesome.
We recorded the studio version in Oregon towards the end of the tour. Arthur is now a friend, incredible musician, amazing guy. Can’t say enough good things about him. Super easy to work with, always on time, never in a sh*t mood. Just a legend.
What does the immediate future hold for Cam Cole?
Hopefully I found a bit of land now where landlords, councils and neighbours don’t chase me around when making noise. So yeah, in the immediate future I just want to be able to make a racket in my little rehearsal studio trailer, record the 4th album and get my Rock Rave show New Age Collective of the ground.
Quick Fire Fun
Jellied Eels or Pie and Mash?
Pie and Mash.
Can you tell us a funny story about touring/a show/ busking?
Ah mate too many but they usually involve magic mushrooms, so we better not put them in writing. (laughs)
It was great to get to know Cam during the creation of this interview. All of us at Fox Reviews Rock are really grateful of his time as well as from his team. We are excited to see where his career takes him next! Want to read another of our interviews? Why not read our interview with Suzi Quatro!
All right to the songs in this interview are retained by Cam Cole. All Images were provided by Cam Cole and his team and were taken by Jon Ciotti.
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