SONG PREMIERE: Miller Campbell "Obsession"

Photo by Hanna Hanseroth

Miller Campbell's path to her upcoming release, Sweet Whiskey, was a wild, and almost unbelievable, ride. The Seattle-based artist grew up a classically trained musician steeped in musical theater who started singing at open mic nights while in college even without knowing her musical family's history (yep, she's Glen Campbell's cousin). Miller notes, "I didn't even know my history with Glen and that side of the family. I was drawn to country music as the songwriting style was so similar to musical theater.” 
 
Campbell quickly immersed herself in the Seattle music scene forming a band called Twisted Dixie who were soon selling out huge venues, casinos, and rodeos. While writing their first LP, Campbell got some unexpected news. “I had a fatal condition that demanded immediate double jaw surgery” she explains. Campbell wasn’t allowed to speak for eighteen months and being unsure if she’d ever sing again, she focused on songwriting and her classes, graduating the University of Washington with two degrees and honors at 21.
 
After graduation, Campbell was recruited by the C.I.A., but two weeks before she was scheduled to deploy, she realized she couldn’t imagine a life without music and quit. She got a sales job, was soon made national director, and while crisscrossing the country on business, would drop in on open mics whenever she could. After auditioning for a touring backup guitarist position - even though she only knew one cover (Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart”) - she gave it her best and got the gig. Campbell quit her job, bought a new guitar, and spent 10 hours a day learning how to be a real player.
 
The tour fell through, yet Campbell was inspired. With the encouragement of her brother, John, she struck out on her own as a solo artist. A month later, John died unexpectedly with Campbell relaying, “He was autistic, and my absolute soulmate. He was the life and soul of the project, and the only reason I began work on this record. Without his encouragement, belief, and memory, I just can't imagine having the courage to do this.”
 
This is her upcoming album, Sweet Whiskey. Written in Battleground, WA and Nashville, TN, Campbell rounded up producer Geoff Ott and a crew of star players including Tim Hanseroth (Brandi Carlile), Harrison Yount (Kacey Musgraves), blues artist Amber Sweeney, and Andrew Joslyn (Macklemore) to record the project at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, WA. “It was extremely important to me to record in WA,” says Campbell. “I want to show the world what country music in the PNW is really all about!”
 
Campbell pulls no punches in the honesty of her art. “I hope that people get a genuine feel for who I am from this record,” she says“It truly follows the story of my last year and a half, which I think is something a lot of modern records lack. Above all, I hope I can make a name for country music in the Northwest. We have incredible talent, and our own unique story to tell.”
 
Today, TDC is proud to premiere a track from Sweet Whiskey entitled "Obsession." Led by bluesy guitar riffs, plenty of "ah oohs", and Campbell's sultry (with-a-hint-of-crazy) yet dangerous vocals, the fabulous "Obsession" finds Campbell warning an ex-lover that she won't let him go easily - taking crazy ex-girlfriend to new heights.

"You can try your best to get away from me
Like a bloodhound, I got your scent baby
Can't get off this grid, cause I'll track you down
Poison your coffee, chain you to my stove"

Campbell details the story behind the song, "Obsession is my "crazy girl" song that is making fun of the stereotype women have after a breakup. It's sort of a reclamation of the phrase, taking it to the 1000% percent of "I'll show you crazy if call me that." I love its blues elements and the music I composed is supposed to be emulating a train chugging off the tracks, which I hope listeners can hear in the guitar riffs, and drum beat."

​On Sweet Whiskey, Miller Campbell has boldly declared her intent to claim a prominent place in the canon of western music. Armed with a voice at turns warm, clear and bright as high mountain air, Campbell sings with a natural assuredness typically found in artists with decades of experience. Campbell gets it honest, but almost never got here at all.

Sweet Whiskey will be released in November.
For more information visit HERE.

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