Meet Ian Campbell

We recently connected with Ian Campbell and have shared our conversation below.

Ian, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
As a musician, I deal with imposter syndrome pretty regularly. It’s so easy to compare yourself to all of the others who you came before you that you admire and think that you just don’t belong.

But kind of like the idea that “the best revenge is a life well lived”, it seems to me that the best cure for imposter syndrome is continuing to create better work than you did the time before. If you can look back at your catalog, or all of the projects that you’ve worked on in the past, and see noticeable improvements – even if it’s only something that you would see – then you start to realize that you do, in fact, belong in those ranks and start to build the confidence to stand shoulder to shoulder with a lot of the people who used to look like giants to you.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember, but I ended up taking a lot of time away from the music scene to “be more responsible”…or at least what I thought was responsible. But after about 11 years away from the music scene, I found out that I was going to be a dad.

The news was a big wake-up call to me and suddenly I realized that if I was going to tell my future child that pursuing your passion could not only be a valid career path, not to mention a fulfilling one, I was going to have to put my money where my mouth was. So, in an effort to live up to the example that I wanted him to be able to look up to, I jumped back into a music career with a fire that I haven’t felt in a long time.

When I decided to go full boar back into my music career and start writing again, though, that’s when the process of crafting my debut album “Stories from an Old Set of Strings” began.

This album is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a testament to the power of second chances and following your heart. Each track represents a big piece of my own personal story. It’s a representation of the twists and turns of my life over the past 20 years.

The album is comprised of some songs that I wrote a long time ago (including 2 AM, the first song that I wrote since my high school days!), and songs that have been written in just the past few years.

I’ve had the opportunity to ask a few people what they think the album sounds like. Imagine a blend of Bruce Springsteen’s storytelling, Ray LaMontagne’s soulful vibes, a sprinkle of Nick Drake’s contemplative melodies, and a twist of James Taylor’s warm sound.

I recorded the album my home studio, inspired by the likes of Jackson Browne, Nick Drake, and Bob Dylan – artists who created magic wherever they were. It’s a raw, genuine snapshot of me and my music, just as I am.

“Stories from an Old Set of Strings” is a musical journey through the stories of my life. And now it’s an emblem of my determination to show my son that dreams are worth chasing and that life’s unexpected turns can lead to the most beautiful destinations.

The album is available on all major music platforms starting August 18th, 2023. For updates, news, and more about my journey, check out [website/social media links].

See you on the other side of the strings!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think that the most impactful things that helped to shape my journey have been my penchant for hard work, my willingness to build a team around me, and my ability to let go of disappointments.

If there was one piece of advice that I could’ve gotten when I was younger (assuming I would’ve listened), it would have the be to remember that the definition of success has very little to do with money, status, possessions, where you live, or anything like that. The true definition of success is freedom, and if you can keep your eyes focused on that, you can do amazing things.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Believed in me.

I think that’s the most impactful thing that anyone can do for anyone, but especially a parent to a child. The fact that my folks believed in me even when I was at some of my lowest points kept me moving forward…especially when I stopped believing in myself.

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Image Credits
Anna Burch

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