Andrea von Kampen, an interview
Photos by Analise Schrader
In early 2020, the world was in the midst of a pandemic and my dog had just died. Like others before me, I turned to folk music as a means of making sense of the turmoil and it was there that I discovered “Funeral Song,” by Andrea von Kampen. A few years later, upon the release of her new EP, Before I Buy a Gun, there also comes a new tour. And since there were no Chicago dates, I grabbed my favorite travel companion/ concert sidekick and we headed to Ames, IA for one of the most wonderfully intimate folk performances of our lives.
UpToHear: You are originally from Michigan, then later raised in Nebraska. How much of the midwestern landscape factors into your decision to choose folk as a genre?
Andrea von Kampen: Folk, as a genre, I think had more to do with the musical environment I was raised in. While the Great Plains and rural areas of America definitely have a folksy way about them, I gravitated more towards folk/singer-songwriter type music because of what I was listening to, because I learned guitar rather than piano, and because my voice fit the genre well.
UpToHear: Speaking of your gravitation toward guitar, your skills have been compared to that of Nick Drake. Did he have any influence on your style or did the comparison simply fall into place after you had already established yourself as an artist?
Andrea von Kampen: Ha well, I really do like Nick Drake, but no, when that quote came through, I was a little shocked and felt that it was way too kind of a comment as he’s quite iconic. He wasn’t a core artist I listened to growing up, but when I got into my twenties, he certainly was a musician I’d listen to casually.
UpToHear: At what point can you call a career in music successful? Have you reached that point?
Andrea von Kampen: This is a question I’ve asked myself maybe monthly. The things I used to dream about five years ago have pretty much all happened and now I have new dreams. I never really feel like I’ve arrived because I’m constantly moving the goal post. While this is exhausting and probably not entirely healthy, I don’t know if it’ll ever change and it also keeps me motivated. I think when I stop having new goals, that’s when the career will stop being successful because it’ll mean I don’t really care anymore.
UpToHear: Have you ever experienced any bouts of imposter syndrome?
Andrea von Kampen: I have not… and I wonder if it’s due to being completely obsessed with the craft of making music. Sure, at the end of each record, when all the tracks are done and you get the final masters back, it’s easy to listen to it and go “wow is this all complete garbage?” but usually that means you just need some space from it all. Digging into the work has always cured a lot of the fleeting doubt.
UpToHear: Have you ever found touring so surreal that it feels like an out of body experience?
Andrea von Kampen: There are times during my set where I’m playing and singing and I look at the audience and think “it’s so weird they’re all just listening to these songs right now,” and it is slightly an out of body experience. Then I tell myself to get back into the storytelling of the songs and stop letting my mind wander.
UpToHear: You’ve already shared the stage with many celebrated folk heroes, but do you have a bucket list of artists you’ve yet to meet?
Andrea von Kampen: Absolutely. I will not list them because I don’t want to jinx it.
UpToHear: Are you ever afraid that aliens will attack while on tour? If so, what precautions have you taken to ensure the safety of you and your crew?
Andrea von Kampen: This is not a particular fear of mine as I am way more concerned with getting food poisoning. But I suppose a lot of alien invasion stories end with them trying to tell us something so, in that case, I would be ready to listen.
But, for real, the safety of anyone who tours with me is a high priority. Making sure food allergies are accounted for, hotel rooms feel comfortable and safe, getting enough sleep, exercise, and that everyone feels safe at venues and in the digital sphere as well… There’s a lot of things to be concerned about, but people are mostly good and things generally work out for the best.
UpToHear: Your new EP, Before I Buy a Gun, is comprised of three songs– a wonderfully raw and vulnerable look into your craft, but could this also mean that another LP is on the way?
Andrea von Kampen: I was just saying if this thing I’ve applied for doesn’t happen, I’ll make the protest album into an LP. So we’ll see. Either way, it’s a win haha.
UpToHear: The current tour does not come to Chicago. A) Should we take this personally? B) To make up for it, will you be playing two shows when you finally roll through?
Andrea von Kampen: Please forgive me. Chicago is my #1 city in America and I love playing it. My family is originally from Chicago and I always sort of hope I’ll move there, so rest assured, this is not personal. With all that said, a Chicago show is going to be happening as soon as it can, and I’ll do two if the first one sells out.
UpToHear: Your Instagram showcases some a cappella versions of your tunes. Can fans expect to witness these additional layers of vocals at one of your shows?
Andrea von Kampen: We’ll see :)