Fair To Midland : Interview with guitarist Cliff Campbell

by Renee Clark
Static Noise
http://www.staticnoise.net

Fair to Midland is a very unique and amazing band from Dallas, TX. Their sound is catchy and heavy and folky all wrapped into one. They have been titled as "progressive /folk /metal," which pretty much describes it in a nutshell. FTM has passionate and powerful energy on their Debut album Fables from a Mayfly and have an astonishing live show to match. FTM’s lyrics are also skillful and honest, causing you to feel and see how they view the world through their eyes, and Static Noise had the chance to interview guitarist Cliff Campbell and get a closer peek into their thoughts! Enjoy!

Static Noise: What made you decide to become a musician? Was there any defining moment when you just knew that's what you had to try and do?
Cliff Campbell: Well my next door neighbor stole a guitar and didn't want it so I bought it from him for $25.00.  After I wrote my first song and found out that I could actually portray what I was feeling through something I knew I was going to be musician.


Static Noise: What was your first instrument and how did you get it? And how did you learn to play it?
Cliff Campbell: Some of this is iterated above.  I basically learned to play by listening to records and repeating what they did.  I started by learning Kirk Hammet solos.  Funny.  I never see use for it much in my own material, but nonetheless it made me a better guitar player.


Static Noise: What inspired you to name the band "Fair to Midland?"
Cliff Campbell: Well it comes from a way to great cotton a long time ago.  It basically means in the middle.  Then it was adapted into a salutation meaning the same.  Darroh's grandpa always said it to him when he asked how he was doing.

Static Noise: What made you decide to sign to Serjical Strike?
Cliff Campbell: Well personally I always said that if there was any band out there that would understand our music it would be System.  It was a god send to actually end up having Serj sign the band.  We knew that we would be taken care of and respected as musicians by Serjical Strike.


Static Noise: How did the band and the Serj Tankian find meet?
Cliff Campbell: One of Serj's friends happen to be one of the many 10 people we were playing for at the Viper Room about 2 years back.  He then channeled the music to Serj and he finally came out to see us at the Roxy a few months later.  A month later we were signed to Serjical Strike Records.


Static Noise: What can fans expect for your headlining tour? Do you guys have anything special in store for them?
Cliff Campbell: Well we finally get to pull out those songs you never expect to hear live.  I won't say any names, but you will definitely get to hear a few of the more eclectic songs at one of the Headlining shows.

Static Noise: Are their any cities on this tour you are looking forward to playing the most?
Cliff Campbell: Well of course our home is Dallas.  I always anticipate a Dallas show.  We play the same show for every city, but some places just feel like home.  Hopefully that was vague enough.

Static Noise: Are you planning on doing anymore headlining dates after this tour is done?
Cliff Campbell: Sure.  We have hopes of going out with Serj sometime next year, but you will definitely see us booking a couple of Headlining shows early next year.


Static Noise: What musicians have influenced your personal style of writing and performing?
Cliff Campbell: I'm a weird one in the group because I haven't bought an album since I was 13.  I can definitely say that I idol the likes of John Fruscianti and Tom Morello.


Static Noise: Did you always want to be a musician? What did you want to be when you were 5 for example?
Cliff Campbell: Heh.  I think I remember wanting to be a Professional Bowler like my Dad.  Other than that I never really gave a shit.  I did pass a full expense paid scholarship to keep going with the band, but I can do that at anytime in my life.


Static Noise: What was the hardest track to write or lay down on your record?
Cliff Campbell: I would have to say "a Wolf Descends Upon the Spanish Sahara."  I was just trying to get that perfect texture and tone to the guitar and get the perfect take.  It was time consuming, but I was happy with the turnout.


Static Noise: What is your favorite song to perform live and why?
Cliff Campbell: I would have to say "Dance of the Manatee" is my favorite.  I just like the rollercoaster feel of the song and It gets me motivated during the live show.

Static Noise: Is there anything you know now about the music business that you wished you would have known when you first started out? (Any lessons learned the hard way).
Cliff Campbell: I have definitely learned many things from touring and being in a band, but I don't think anything that has happened along the way shouldn't have happened.  Going through the trials and tribulations makes you a little stronger and knowledgeable about the industry.  The industry is so fickle these days so you just have to try and not let it make you bitter.

Static Noise: Is there anything you would like to add or say to your fans?
Cliff Campbell: Well as you all know we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you guys.  It took us a long time to get to where we are and we definitely appreciate every person that made this happen for us.  We can't wait to write a new album for you guys.  Hopefully you all are wanting one as much as we have been wanting to write the new record.