There was a time when the felt hat, known as the fedora, was an icon
associated with the likes of Indiana Jones, Tom Landry, and Michael
Jackson. On Thursday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
the fedora will make a comeback when self-proclaimed troubadour Matt Campbell
visits the Wilkinson Public Library. A
songwriter full of stories, Campbell enjoys wearing the conventions of a
different time. For a place like
Telluride, this folk musician with a straw fedora is sure to compliment a
historical backdrop defined by the mining, William Jennings Bryans and Nikola
Tesla. “I like to tell stories from my
own experiences in hopes that other people can relate to those stories and make
them their own,” explains Campbell.
Originally from Colorado, Campbell spends most of his time in
Chicago where he crafts songs about the “new” American west. Like the songwriters before him, Campbell’s
lyrics are rich in romantic imagery, detail, and the prospects of a simple life
as he explores the themes of love, life, and loss. “I like to think of my songs as a reflection
of the formality of life,” says Campbell.
His newest album, Miles Apart,
is a 5-track EP that poetically weaves together a dynamic voice with a
country-ish sound. On Bumblebee’s Blues,
Campbell finishes the album on a solo quest that longs for the vistas of the
West amidst the struggles of finding a place among the towers of a concrete
jungle.
With a background in theater, Campbell is a trained performer who
seeks to uncover the universal tropes that appeal to anyone fortunate enough to
watch him perform. “For me, a big component
to revealing my music is involving the audience in my words and stories.” In addition to his penchant for musical
storytelling, Campbell is the founder of the Chicago Talking Machine Company,
where he serves as a producer in film and music.
Matt Campbell’s free show at the library on Thursday, May 3 is at
the beginning of a broader tour that will see him perform in Denver, Kansas
City, and Los Angeles. To learn more about the music styling of Matt
Campbell visit chicagotalkingmachine.com.
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