Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.
“summer’s scorch,” the new song by singer-songwriter Jahnah Camille, was written about a crush she had never even spoken to. “I can’t get too close to you,” she sings on the track, her voice cracking as she offers to change her entire personality to fit around a hot stranger. As she does in all of her work, Camille pushes her internal dilemma out and into tender melodies mixed with rasping guitars. She concludes with a simple but devastating line, “I don’t know what I would do.”
In a time when qualities like “honest” and “relatable” have started to feel a little clichéd, Camille’s words cut through and stick to your ribs — and they’ve heralded a bright new chapter for the Birmingham, Alabama-based artist. She’s already opened for Clairo and Soccer Mommy, and, on May 28, is set to join Blondshell on tour. It’s a dream team for fans of red-raw indie music with sweeping choruses that feel like emotional exorcisms.
“summer scorch” is off a collection of messy-pretty songs from Camille’s new EP My sunny oath!, due out June 13, recorded with producer Alex Farrar (Wednesday, Indigo De Souza, MJ Lenderman). Ahead, get to know the rising song-maker as she catches up with The FADER to share the best and worst advice she has ever received, an indie movie recommendation, and more.
What’s your sun, moon, and rising sign, and which is the most accurate?
I am a Gemini sun, Taurus moon and Libra rising. The Gemini sun is probably the most accurate, unfortunately.
What was the last movie you watched, and give a short review.
Frances, Ha was the last movie I saw. I cried. It was my second time watching it, I wasn’t paying attention the first time so it was like seeing it with fresh eyes. It was a great reminder that where I am in life is an indicator of what I’ve yet to learn as opposed to what I’m missing.
Elizabeth Marsh
Describe the first show you ever went to.
The first concert I went to was Beyoncé. She was touring with 4 and it was the peak of her career as a vocalist. She undeniably touched every person in the room and it taught me that I could cast spells with songs.
What’s a motto that you think everyone should live by?
“Go with you”- Fiona Apple. No one else has been able to teach me how to attain the life I want so I credit myself for having the vision and the trust.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Do fun things alone!
Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?
To wear a thong if you don’t want your underwear to show. If you don’t want your underwear to show, don’t wear underwear.
What’s your favorite song to play live right now and why?
‘what do you do?’ for sure. My band and I were looking for ways to keep the sound full without all the harmonies that are pretty essential to the recording. So we ended up just going heavier with the guitars and slowing it down. It’s very moody which I always strive for.
Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
What’s the best thing you’ve bought yourself recently and why?
I bought myself a MiniDV camera and it’s so fun! I’ve never been much of a gear head with anything but I’ve been taking my time to read manuals and reviews and understand this new gadget which is cool because I usually don’t have the attention span.
Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
What was the last creative idea you had that made you ask, ‘Can we do that’?
On the closing track of my EP, ‘away, again.’ I wanted it to be almost a joke song. I was name dropping and coughing and screaming because the song was ultimately for me to get through my head that nothing is that serious.
Courtesy of Jahnah Camille
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Jahnah Camile tour dates
May 28 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern *
May 30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda *
May 31 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall *
June 2 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom *
June 3 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox *
June 6 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell *
June 8 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre *
*opening for Blondshell
