Australian singer-songwriter Peter Campbell takes the stage with a swag of hilarious, challenging, deeply human and powerfully engaging indie-folk originals. Expect raucous audience involvement, striking finger-style 6 string, feisty 12 string, tender banjo and arresting a capella as he explores social, political and environmental issues alongside the bitter-sweet matters of the human heart.
With musical roots deep in the socially conscious 60s/70s, decades on the stage, four albums and a songwriter’s take on wrangling an ominous future, Pete’s infectious performances have taken him around the world calling audiences to action, connection and healing.
His second album, Across the Border, was produced by folk legend Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) at his studio in Blue Hill, Maine, USA. PP&M covered his song Wild Places on their album Such is Love and he toured with them.
Time shift to 2020 and Pete wrote Waited Too Long which became the anthem for the United Nations International Summit on Domestic/Family Violence in the COVID-19 Era, a three-day online conference out of New York with delegates from 47 countries and opened by the Pope.
The success of Waited Too Long launched Pete back onto the stage after an ‘adult’ pause while he earned a living as a designer. Suddenly back on the folk circuit he has been exciting contemporary audiences at festivals, clubs and events around the state. October will see the release of a CD in the USA with Noel Paul Stookey and new video clips; a fifth album under way and numerous musical projects are in the works.
Peter Campbell’s appearance at Humph Hall is a chance to witness something very special.
Visit his web site.
"Peter learned a long time ago one of folk music’s basic tenents: ‘… if you sing me, you must LIVE me …’. His heart and his concerns have taken him around the world. Whether contrasting insights of deep personal relationships against a backdrop of natural wonder, speaking directly to an environmental concern or expressing the simple joy of home and hearth-building, Peter’s command of melody and lyric combine with hope and understanding to produce among us a listening community of mutual support and encouragement - no small task in these cynical times!" - Noel Paul Stookey (Paul of Peter, Paul & Mary)
"Peter has the thrilling knack of empathy that enables him to move inside people’s states of mind so that he is not singing about them, but about himself as one of them – singing on behalf of them. It’s a rare gift..." - Owen Psalter
"He is a lost GEM! Where has this man been on the music scene all these years? I was stunned by the magic of his voice and playing, and the conviction of his politics. He has been a shocking loss to the folk scene." - Janice Lunnen, 2023
"Peter Campbell seems to have sprung fully formed from an alternate folk universe! Hard to believe I’m hearing him for the first time. Peter plays his 12 string guitar as classic backing for his smooth as honey voice and delivery, taking classic folk songs to a new place and then backs it all up with brilliant originals. I wish to see Peter grace many a future folk festival stage". - Rosie McDonald, Artistic Director, Bundanoon Folk Festival 2023
"Peter Campbell is a singer-songwriter for the thinking and caring audience - fiery, poetic and political, yet grounded and compassionate." - Dallas de Brabander, Deputy Convenor, Bundanoon Folk Festival 2023
"Peter Campbell’s self-penned songs, sweet, powerful voice and towering stage presence made for an exceptional night at the HKFC. With his penchant for social commentary and keen eye for the cynicism of politics, he shone a light on our current state of social discourse. Yet he also sang about the beauty in the world with his song Brindabella Blue, tinged with sadness as it was when segueing into another original, Circle of Wonder, about the fires and the supportive community in the Southern Highlands." - Hornsby Kuringai Folk Club, February 2024
"Peter Campbell knows how to light up a room. From his knee slapping, rhythmic a cappella, to his heart felt words about pain and passion, politics and the environment, Peter’s songs spring from his heart – his mighty voice and magnetic energy are enriched by the mastery of his 6/12 guitars and banjo. His powerful messages about the state of the world, from his deeply personal take to the wider arena of disruption and uncertainty, still the audience. His songs speak to your soul – it’s been a long time since words and music brought tears to my eyes – Peter Campbell did that. You could have heard a pick drop." - Savanna Storm, 2024
"Peter Campbell’s Brilliance ~ If you missed this you’d still be rueing the moment you let the dreadful weather keep you at home. Peter was In The Moment… in EVERY moment… guitars, banjo, voice and lyrics… and moved me from the 60s through to the NOW, with songs of peace, confrontation and sorrow capturing the essence of each age, exposing the issues with his heartfelt music. If you get another chance to see Peter Campbell perform, don’t miss it!" - Newcastle Hunter Valley Folk Club, 2024
"Somehow, out of nothing, he started clapping, banging his chest, then singing. No instrument, just himself, but the hall seemed to somehow came alive. Although none of us had ever heard that song before, we were all singing along. And so it was with the next song, which he accompanied on his banjo. Then two more gems we’d never heard, but we all sang along with him just the same It was seductive, commanding, somehow familiar and yet all new. Peter Campbell might be a name none of us really knew before, but it’s one we won’t forget quickly. One we all look forward to hearing again, soon. Please!" - Troubadour Central Coast Folk Club, July 2024
