Composer, mulit-instrumentlaist, vocalist and musical adventurer, Sallie Campbell has achieved so much and is only just beginning. One of Sallie’s most impressive pieces is her composition Nightingale Floor, a 20 minute piece for a string orchestra, which showcases close to 100 string instruments. She currently performs with several original acts The Switch, Kristy Apps and the Shotgun Shirleys, Silver Sircus, Sissybones and Brad Butcher.
What was your first Violin?
A 3/4 violin when I was 8 years old..I begged my Mum for 6 weeks for one
What’s your main Violin now?
A 5 string violin I bought in Kentucky..I drove from Detroit to Kentucky to a little place called Poppy Mountain..The maker Steve Radcliff was amazing he and his brother who made mandolins had built their own places. There were 9 fireplaces, he said in a Kentucky drawl ” I ain’t got no wife and I don’t drink so I just keep building”
Through what amp and why?
I use an AER Compact 60 with the beautiful brown wooden casing..I perved on it for a bout 6 months before I bought it… I love it it’s light and depending on the venue I either have line out straight from the Amp to Front of house or use my LR Baggs DI for front of house and use the AMP for fold back. Playing violin especially with a kit it’s really important to be able to hear yourself so for really loud gigs I just use the AER as my personal fold back as well as though the wedges
Which pedals are your standards?
I love the Electro Harmonix HOG. It’s awesome on the violin you can create really lush pad like textures..
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
My latest recording is Nightingale Floor it’s a piece for an 11 piece string section and I play an array of lesser known string instruments..The Nyckelharpa, Hammered Dulcimer, Baritone Bowed Psaltry.. I’ll be recording in March with Kristy Apps and the Shotgun Shirleys…We’re lucky to have Shane Nicholson producing
What gigs have you been playing lately?
I just played Falls Festival in Byron and Tamworth Country Music Festival
Most memorable gig?
Performing at the 2007 Aria Awards with Kate Miller-Heidke and at The Opera House 2012 with Brian Cadd, Lior and Gyan
Worst stage nightmare?
A strand of hair on my bow broke… this is not so unusual but this particular time the hair got trapped under mY left hand causing the bow to stop and I nearly dropped the violin!
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
I’m playing in a German Cabaret show at QPAC with Annie Lee (Kranksy Sisters) Performing Nightingale Floor, playing lots of original gigs in Brisbane and Sydney..
A Violin tip for the kids?
Be yourself