Corrin Campbell talks transition to civilian life, upcoming record, artist flexibility, and more—exclusive interview

Army Veteran Corrin Campbell is back and ready to rock in the alternative scene. Her upcoming record Greatest Hits Dual Disc drops January 8^th, 2021. The album consists of orchestral and remixed versions of ten tracks from her career. You can pre-order the record here.

You can listen to her latest remix for “Find Your Way” right here on All Punked Up!

Campbell explains that “This dual album is a liberation, an explosion from the container in which the Army restricted me. I made Greatest Hits because I wanted to give these songs a new life, after feeling as though they were censored and screened in their former life.”

All Punked Up had the opportunity to sit down with Campbell and discuss the record, her transition to civilian life, music taste, and more. Check out the interview below!

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Take us through the process of redoing these songs. What were some challenges or surprises you had while recording the cinematic and remix versions of your hits?

I was honestly surprised at how easily the orchestral tracks came together. Part of it was my childhood background as a cellist, and that I was working with an amazing co-producer on many of the songs. As a rock artist, I thought it would be harder to construct some relevant soundtrack-inspired renditions that would have their own voice without sounding contrived. I wrote the “bones” of string parts for several songs on the album, and my producer (R. Aaron Walters) was a brilliant mind off which to bounce all the crap in my head. Some of his work literally started with me just making movie sound effect noises. Somehow, he was able to interpret them into some pretty amazing atmospheric sounds.

The remix album was a bit easier. I hired great up-and-coming talent (BAD ONE and kkami) to do what they do best, and I just added a few insights. I was referencing Bassnectar, Zedd, and other artists who really embody great full-circle electronic composition. That, combined with my amazing Soundcloud-era producers, really turned into a pack of renditions that I’m in love with.

The transition from the military to civilian life can be a bit rocky. What are some of the things you were excited to get back into as a civilian? What are some things you miss as an active member of the military?

I was literally counting down the days until I could dye my hair blue. Brian O’Connor (Co-Founder and Creative Director of Good Dye Young) has been doing my hair for almost 10 years, and I haven’t let anyone else even touch it. But his most amazing talent, among many, is his vision as a colorist, and I was never able to take advantage of it! On Warped Tour ’15, Good Dye Young actually had a little booth at the Nashville stop, and I stopped by to say “hi” to both him and Hayley Williams (his co-founder). I took a Sharpie and scrawled “588 days and counting” and had them sign it. 🙂 I still wear it when going to Brian to get my hair done.

When I first got out, I did go through a massive depression. It wasn’t because I wished I was back in, by any means, but I missed touring 300 days a year (which I did for six years with the Army). I missed my band and crew. I was alone in a town where I didn’t really know anyone and a little lost (honestly) about how to do this whole thing without a safety net – and still be able to pay bills. I had a rough time of it for a little while, especially because (contrary to what many believe) the Army gig actually dampened my ability to make a living with music entirely. But all dark seasons have light at the end, and I couldn’t be happier now to be moving forward in this next chapter.

Which cinematic track are you most proud of and why? Which remixed track are you most proud of and why?

“Not for Sale” is pretty easily my greatest love on the cinematic album. Both the lyrics and the music really express how I’ve felt for the last several years: my struggle with balancing my creative artistry and the Army monster, my need to redefine my voice – and my songs’ voices. And as the closer on the album, I feel like it really leaves a “pregnant pause” at the conclusion – just a statement about what more is to come.

On the remix album, “What You Wanted” and “Sunbeam” fight for my top affection. 😉 But I feel like “What You Wanted” really encapsulates some of the greatest things I love about electronic music. Really dark, deep beats – I just envision it playing at some underground club somewhere and it’s gritty. I really wanted to make some songs that the scene could dance to… and I think this one takes the cake in that department.

You are releasing singles every month until January 2021. How are you deciding which songs will be released as singles?

The release schedule is really based on the narrative. Obviously, some of these “sister tracks” are very different from each other, and some of my fans are more into one version that the other. So rather than leave anyone out, I decided to figure out how each song could build upon that narrative so it still comes through with an “album” narrative focus. That said, the single schedule is totally different from each individual album’s track order – so it really gives me an opportunity to tell my story in three different ways. “Find Your Way” was the easy opener – a lost girl hyping herself up to really grasp an identity. Considering the song was written ten years ago and is an over-arching piece of the story behind how this album came to be, it just made sense to start with that.

Are you planning on performing any of these versions live? If so, which revisited track(s) do you think will be engaging with your fans?

Well, obviously the world is a little upside-down right now. It’s so hard, as an artist, to try and see the future. Will the way people consume music change entirely? Will we go back to normal… or will there be a new normal? I do plan on performing them from my living room on live streams in the future 😉 but I’d love to put together a special one-time live concert with a full-on orchestra and run down the whole cinematic album in an auditorium here in Nashville. That’s a very real goal for me as things open back up and people feel comfortable going out again.

I also have brainstormed a tour with a DJ, where it’d be more like a dance party tour than show dates in a traditional sense. I’d still sing them, of course, but I’ll also invest in a light show and probably look for more “clubish” venues – where it’s more about the party than the show. 🙂 It would be SO fun. We just need to see how the world shakes out.

What is one thing you hope your current fans and new fans will get out of this record?

I hope this shows how diverse we all are, even within ourselves. I’m a rock artist – what am I doing putting out a soundtrack and a dance album? There’s more to me than that one facet, just as there’s more to any of us than one facet. The more we understand that about ourselves, our passions, our skills, our beliefs, the better we’ll understand it about others. And that world looks like a better place. I know that’s a lofty goal for an album to achieve, 🙂 but you never know what can unlock those ideas in someone’s head.

How would you describe the vibes of Greatest Hits Dual Disc in one word or phrase?

Not to get all pithy on ya, but: “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” – Henry David Thoreau

What bands or artists inspire you?

I’m in love with Highly Suspect. A friend showed them to me a couple of years ago, and I remember being one of the only people in my friend circle watching them instead of Beyoncé on the Coachella live stream two years ago. 😛 I’ve also recently become pretty obsessed with POPPY and what she has been doing with her genre-bending style. Also, tons of new artists on the “Sludge” playlist on Spotify get added to my “Stuff I Like Lately” playlist. I’ve always loved Bassnectar, in the electronic realm, and I’ve been pretty inspired by Mike Shinoda’s recent music. He really picked up a tough torch and has done some great innovative work.

What songs do you have on repeat right now?

“Anything Like Me” by Poppy is a constant go-to for some badassery vibes. “Edge” by Rezz and “Mixtape 13” by Bassnectar will probably never get old for me. I also really love the Skidop Remix of “The Violence” by Asking Alexandria. Oh, and “Never Count on Me” by Haywyre is SICK. Should I stop now? Haha

Is there anything else you want to say to your fans or All Punked Up readers?

Above all, keep your head up. It’s a tough time to be alive, but also an amazing opportunity to be mindful, really looking inside for things you love about yourself. Whether we all return to normal or come back to a new normal, we’re in a truly once-in-a-lifetime era – and whether we come out of it on the bright side is totally up to us.