We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Victoria Camp. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Victoria below.
Hi Victoria, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Without risk, we stand losing the chance of what could have been. Read that again. Most associate the statement “taking a risk” with nervous connotation, an action that should be avoided if you desire security & safety… I, however, view risks as vital moments & decisions in our lives that could turn everything around for the better. A risk could turn a bloom into a daisy. Taking a risk could be the difference between lonely morning coffee & two porch swings… a risk could take you from a prayer & a drought to a beautiful harvest after an unsure season. One single risk could be the real difference between being asleep versus awake when dreaming. After 10+ years in the music industry, I realized that taking a risk was an act of self-love & a testimony of the gospel that was my truth as an artist. Taking a chance on myself helped me build confidence & I finally learned that playing it safe was a disservice to my art. Staring down the face of rejection, uncertainty & failure would leave me better than it found me. As scary as it may have seemed in the past, taking a chance on myself and my music has lead me to where I am today & to making the music I have always wanted to make. I am grateful for the risks I have taken. Take the risk. Don’t second guess how far it is to the other side of the bank – get a running start & take that leap of faith. You never know what might be waiting for you.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Victoria Camp. I’m a small-town, southern, singer-songwriter/musician from Northport, Alabama (aka, Tuscaloosa, AL, home of Alabama Football). I’ve always had a strong connection to music & it has absolutely shaped who I am as a person. I’ve been writing songs & performing out since I was 13 years old. My roots are in rock n roll, southern rock, blues & classic country music… some of my biggest inspirations include Fleetwood Mac, CCR, The Band, Lucinda Williams, Bobbie Joe Gentry, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Led Zeppelin, Heart, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton etc. – the list goes on forever. All of these incredible artists have had a heavy hand in my writing & my soul. I’d like to describe my music as an experience of who I am as a person – a dreamy folky undertone meets southern rock n roll soul. I started writing songs to channel my emotions, not knowing it would lead me down a fast-paced, incredible, challenging, mind-blowing career I like to call “the beautiful struggle”. For the past 10+ years I’ve toured the country & even the world, sharing my original music & gifts with the people I love the most. Shortly after my 16th birthday I became a full time musician & dove into life on the road headfirst. I’ve had the opportunity to open up for many respected artists – to name a few, Bon Jovi, Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Travis Tritt etc. & proceeded to become a founding member in all female country music harmony group, Sweet Tea Trio, where I played acoustic & electric guitar & sang high harmony. We went on to be managed by Lost Highway Touring (Robert Ritchie aka artist Kid Rock) & Vector Management (Ken Levitan) for 6 years & went on our first arena tour when I was just 21, opening up for The Robert Randolph Band & Kid Rock. I am currently working on a new solo project, helping produce & write fellow artists records & gearing up for a tour this fall.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing my creation come to life & seeing other people loving my art as well. There’s nothing that makes my heart fuller when I sing a song of mine & it resonates with the listener in some way. Makes them smile, makes them cry, gives them a feeling of nostalgia (my personal fave). These are my driving forces.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
The best & most beautiful thing that ANYONE could do to support an artist, is to appreciate their art. I don’t mean just purchase their art. I don’t mean sharing their posts on Instagram. Appreciate it. Numbers, engagement, whatever – I know it’s all important. What I mean is this: everything now is so digital, show a little love in other ways. Tangible encouragement, face to face compliments. Analog efforts, if you will.. For musicians of any level (but specifically speaking for independents right now), go to their concerts. Clap & yell for them. Bring your friends. Come up to them afterwords & tell them specifically that this line in THIS song made you feel someway. Ask for their autograph or picture, buy some merchandise. Buy their Cd’s & play it in your truck. Play their songs for your friends. Put their songs in the queue on the bluetooth jukebox in Waffle House at 2 am. Buy their vinyls & play it in your home & watch your kids dance in your kitchen full of dirty dishes & love. Bring your favorite artists music to life by bringing it into your life & show up for them. Show your passion. Any simple expression of admiration could go so far. I could go on & on about this. Small gestures & simple appreciation makes a giant difference. As simple as it is, I truly believe this is what helps keep any artist afloat & spreading a little more love in the world never hurt anybody!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @vv_camp
- Facebook: Victoria Camp Music
- Twitter: @vcampmusic
- Other: TikTok: @vv_camp
Image Credits
Photography & Editing Credits: Olivia McEwen Salter Instagram: @livvyphoto