An angry shout, astute observational skills and instrumentals that range everywhere from a swan like trumpet to a grinding guitar riff, Imadethismistake is a musical get up that stands apart from the numerous carbon copies lacing the booming East Coast music scene. Kylewiliam Campol, apart from being a man that isn’t a fan of traditional letter spacing, is someone with a knack for narrating the world around him. Sometimes delivered in a growling spoken word and in other instances sung out in a scrappy whine, the words that make up Imadethismistake’s recent release, Bow And Quiver embody the inner monologue none of us will admit to having; one full of frustration, doubt, and dissatisfaction. This all encompassing relation we share is no better displayed than in “Rogue Island” where a rag-tag band of group vocals come together with a slightly off-key chorus of, “It takes more than you know/ I find it hard to/ Come to terms”
Though relatively minimalist in its delivery, Bow And Quiver does deliver some pick up in songs such as “Sub-Tropics” and “Stateside” which border on raucous with their steely riffs, crashing drums, and of course, Campol’s ever present pissed-off grunt. In fact, it’s the rawness of Kylewilliam Campol that makes Imadethismistake such a notable figure in up and coming music. The gritty, slightly out of the norm tempos of Bow And Quiver may not be what most listeners are used to, but given the proper time to gestate, the tracks of this album are sure to register somewhere within your mind, be it
during the opening frustrations of “New York” as Campol scowls, “It’s like I’ve been given a three inch blade/ To cut down a full-grown oak/ Its not so much impossible/ As much as its unlikely that I’d ever have the follow through to go on” or the methodic pace of his rant in “Weak Week”. Offering up a softer approach in closing track, “The Grimmerie Pt. 2: Go Ahead, Ascend”, it is here that the album comes full circle, the song encompassing all the torn up thoughts and feelings of its proceeding tracks, and repeating the stand out lyrics of “New York”.
Much like his past work, what Campol has created with Bow And Quiver is something nearly primal, which connects and resonates with the human experience so naturally that it is almost spooky. What may be the most brilliant part of the whole thing is that Campol is simply sharing his own thoughts- there’s no preconceived notion that he’s speaking on behalf of mankind or that he has answers for anyone. But somehow, this one person’s stream of consciousness fits right in with the listener’s and for the duration of Bow And Quiver, neither is alone in their brooding.
Kylewilliam Campol took some time out of his musical musings to talk with us a little bit about Bow And Quiver, his future plans, and who might play on his dream tour.
Reviewsic: Can you give us a quick recap of what the band has been up to as of late?
Kylewilliam Campol: Well the new record came out on May 11, and I have been on tour since February, so that has kept me pretty busy. As I am writing this I am getting ready to start the first show of our UK / European tour.
Reviewsic: What’s the back-story on how the band came to be what it is today?
Kylewilliam Campol: I started imadethismistake when I was 14, 8 years ago, as an outlet for my thoughts and feelings on subjects I didn’t feel comfortable simply talking about. It morphed
Reviewsic: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Kylewilliam Campol: Cello
Reviewsic: What are the last three albums or bands you listened to?
Kylewilliam Campol: mewithoutyou – its all crazy! It’s all false! It’s all a dream! Its alright!, look mexico – gasp asp, Jeffrey Lewis – me are I.
Reviewsic: If you could work with one person in the music industry (musician, label, producer etc), who would it be and why?
Kylewilliam Campol: J. Robbins, he recorded the promise ring, enough said.
Reviewsic: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
Kylewilliam Campol: I saw sting when I was 13 at an amphitheatre in West Palm beach, Florida… my dad scored front row seats and he threw me his bass pick, but this older lady next to me pushed me out of the way and stole it.
Reviewsic: Who are three of your favorite local bands?
Kylewilliam Campol: Well, I have lived in 3 different cities in the last 3 years, so ill do one from each city… Tallahassee, Florida – Look Mexico, Providence, RI – Weak Teeth, Richmond, VA – The Two Funerals
Reviewsic: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Kylewilliam Campol: Honestly, the bands I am currently on tour with. Neil Sutherland and friends, and apologies, I have none! Are at the front of that list… I have been the largest fan of Neil Sutherland’s music for years, and I was able to bring him from the UK to do a 9 week US tour last august, and now I am doing the UK with him… Apologies, I Have None contains one of my closest friends as a bassist… and the third band, I’d probably say Converge.
Reviewsic: Tell us about Bow and Quiver – is there a particular concept behind it? What was the process of making the album like?
Kylewilliam Campol: Bow and Quiver is based on the concept of stress,; all the factors that lead up to it, and the effects of how we handle it. The album was written during the winter when I was living in Rhode Island, it was cold and grey and depressing, which is
reflected in the music and lyrics. We recorded it in 16 hours in our friends’ basement in New York, and I flew down to Florida to mix and master it.
Reviewsic: How would you compare yourselves as musicians at this point as opposed to when you first began playing together?
Kylewilliam Campol: I think everyone who plays music gets better over time.
Reviewsic: What are some of your favorite cities and/o venues to play?
Kylewilliam Campol: The Fishtank in Durham, UK, The Camel in Richmond, VA, AS220 in Providence, RI, Biko Garage in Santa Barbara, CA
Reviewsic: What are the best and worst band moments so far in your career?
Kylewilliam Campol: My favourite moments all revolve around the fact that I have met all of my closest friends through music.
Reviewsic: What are your plans for your music in the next year?
Kylewilliam Campol: We’re doing Europe / the auk now [June 8] through July 15, then the west coast in September and October. At some point we’re going to record some songs for a split with our buddies The Anchor from San Antonio, Texas.
Tags: Album Review, Interview, New Music, New Release, Tour
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