Photo interview: Dallas singer/songwriter Camille Cortinas

by Zach Lewis of Zlew.net

Now we move into the third photo interview presented by ZLew.net. The idea behind these interviews is quite simple: A photo shoot, along with a simple and short interview with a local artist. For this entry, I present to you the lovely and talented Camille Cortinas.

ZLew.net: Name, Rank, and Serial Number?

Cortinas: Camille Cortinas, Princess, 2-28-22

ZLew.net: On the stage you sing and play the guitar; are there any other musical talents we don’t know about?

Cortinas: I dabble in the flute and piano ... a little bit untapped and rusty, but worth mentioning.

ZLew.net: What are some of your favorite venues to play around town?

Cortinas: I love any environment that acknowledges the audience, and is listener friendly like Opening Bell, or Sue Ellen's. We get people there who really listen, and we as song writers are really able to tell our stories.

ZLew.net: Can you tell us a little bit about your first live performance?

Cortinas: It was at my high school graduation. It was pretty weird; I’m not even sure how I got the gig. Someone asked me to play at the Sr. Luncheon. I had just learned how to play and was rusty, but it was fun!

ZLew.net: One of the things I struggle with is trying to define someone’s sound or style. I think “folk” and “indie” are overused and most times don’t do justice or accurately describe any given music. How would you characterize your style and sound?

Cortinas: Of all of the adjectives that describe our music, I think quirky and sweet are most accurate. Kinda like the first few weeks of falling in love. A little mystery, a little darkness, with a lot of layers, but still sugar sweet.

ZLew.net: If you could only keep one of your possessions, what would it be?

Cortinas: Does it have to be G rated?

*note from Z, you should have seen the grin on her face when she said this!

ZLew.net: Who are some of your favorite local bands/ musicians?

Cortinas: Emily Elbert, The O’s, The King Bucks, Chameleon Chamber Group, Backsliders ... anyone who does things outside of the box.

ZLew.net: If you could only listen to one album, what would it be?

Cortinas: The White Album, Beatles (both discs thank you!)

ZLew.net: How do you want to be remembered?

Cortinas: As a person who always looks at her glass as half full……of wine ;)

For more on Camille, and hear some of her music, check out her MySpace. Her schedule can also be found there, and I would highly recommend checking out one of her live shows. Stay tuned: I also did a shoot with her husband to be, Eric Neal, at the same time I shot this interview. I hope to have that one posted in the next week or so.

• Staff
• Verified User
• Anonymous