Bored and needing some sort of human connection last year, I started a podcast. Crushgasm dives into the crushes of my guests and my first batch of guests were people I’d come to know over email, many musicians I’d gone back and forth with over text. One of them being Cameron Danielle. We talked about three crushes they’d had and unraveled that each was a stepping stone and an inside look into their sexuality. I thought the same to be true about their music journey as well because over the years Cameron Danielle has gone by a few different names, each one bringing about a new side of artistry. Today, Cameron Danielle’s music feels the most spiritualistic it’s ever felt. We dove into that, what’s to come from ‘Gemini,’ and more like the premiere of the brand new single, “Namast (light being)!”
Kendra: The new record, ‘Gemini,’ drops soon. I don’t know much about astrology but I do know this is the twins or something. Can we expect two sides, two personalities shining through on the album?
Cameron Danielle: You can hear my compassionate perspective of love; as well as my assertive and passionate perspectives of love. It’s both a mess and the drums are chaotic. I performed over the backing track to my live show with this album. The title track is the outro to the record. Gemini had too many performances before it was finished cooking. The tune “Gemini” is about a few people; and about how energy can tether people together.
I learned how to present the resolution of feelings and heal my words by working with a producer, Bradley Kohn. I then attempted this practice; or the way that we worked with other peers.
I found that the exercise in opening my heart to letting others into my songwriting practice, my healing practice; opened me up to a new way of thinking about how love is always on time; Divinely on time. You’ll hear my healing process as well as some really layered and chaotically textured rhythm sections.
Kendra: For as long as we’ve been talking, you’ve always shined as DIY royalty and I get very much that with “Uh Uh.” What was the thinking behind the concept for this video?
Cameron Danielle: Thank you for the compliment, first off; I know that there is always room for improvement, I just finally got my rebel t7 to look like a Black magic camera so I’m pretty hype about that.
To be honest, it is a video that expresses my polysexuality. I’m a hierarchically polyamorous person and I now consider myself to be a demi and sapiosexual person. I was inspired by the “Untitled” video by D’Angelo, but most of the videos I make are streams of consciousness concepts. I was inspired by naming yourself the primary of your relationship, so that you may interact interdependently with your partner, so the way you like to be loved, and choose to be loved, shines the brightest in the relationship.
Kendra: There’s also this other song you have, “Namast (light being)” and it felt, to me, very spiritual in many ways. Were you moved by any spiritual way of thinking with this track?
Cameron Danielle: I got close to Shaktipot in a wild way. They gifted me with extra celestial hearing, and allowed me to communicate with celestial bodies and tune myself to my own inner voice. My higher self feels earthling although also from Venus, our morning star.
Although my mother is going through chemotherapy for lobular breast cancer, I had the opportunity to come to Texas. My sister paid for a Reiki class that was suggested by our family friends. My external and internal environments are sort of tethered in this detox. I would assist those who invite me into their healing practice by sending at-distance attunements and healing, as well as going in person with an at-home visit.
After learning Reiki, I took a spiritual detox from more modern sources of spirituality; learning that our spiritual practices can take any form, although spirituality as a whole has been passed down in a structure that does not serve those who are seeking spirituality, but those who have had the privilege to deep dive.
I speak back to the sky and through my music; at this time I’ve concentrated on exploring the palms of my hands and feet. I was under the impression that Kochab, Phad, and Chiron would not interject. However -they told me what to say. Someone communicated through the atmosphere. I shouted Namaste. Kochab and Chiron responded with the word that would be an earth being equivalent, “Namast.” And Phad said hello, the earth is just fine; we, she, he, they, and I will be there for all time.
I had the privilege to study music and be in spaces where I would be introspective for most of my life, and I took advantage of it. I have found currently that the journey to healing is a beautiful one, like our planet. However hard my journey and others have been, I still see and seek the light and love in my situation.
I believe that my music has always been spiritual, and I think sometimes it takes a little more for us to see each other. Our own perspectives are shaped by our external and internal environments.
Kendra: When you were on my podcast, Crushgasm, I had you compare your crushes to dishes – and here we are again with songs like “Honey” and “Tangerine,” so I have to ask – if ‘Gemini’ was a menu item at your favorite restaurant – what’s the place and what’s the item?
Cameron Danielle: There may be a few, definitely Co-Conut dreams by Toll House…maybe two frozen spinach mushroom and artichoke pizzas, and a burger—- at different times.
Kendra: On top of music, you’re also a filmmaker, and last year you dropped ‘Guava Island’, and now you’ve got a 30-minute film, ‘TFOJR – Rudy the Venusian – i.’ Did you draw any inspiration from your latest for ‘Gemini?’
Cameron Danielle: I first would like to say that if you saw my pitch email subject, I apologize.
The series The Fall of Jameson Roye was inspired by the film ‘Guava Island.’ The films became a series of shorts after I relocated to California, the first episode is on Youtube and the 30-minute film is after it.
No, actually; not really. I have had four Obia Women in my family, my mom, Jennifer, both of my resting grandmothers, and my Great Aunt on my mother’s side. Through my journey, I learned to make acquaintance with my ancestors by building an altar around my healing practice. It changes as time passes.
Rudy is a character in ‘TFOJR,’ that meets Jameson after the episode “Bubble” – he is a Rastafarian Venusian trying out his light being body. He starts his ritual with Blue Mountain coffee in his cup; greets the stars and the earth with song after sacrificing the herb mixture by smoke, and tethering himself to the planet with a blessing of conversation. It was for Earth day. The Title track was in it but I wanted to use other music for it. Sorry, Jadyn for dropping verses over your track. That song is not on the album though.
The album was a preexisting backing track of songs for a show at macs at south side, it was a three-piece show; so I played
Kendra: Also, with Coachella still fresh on my mind and all these artists from today bringing out the likes of Shania Twain and Hayley Williams, I’d love to know what artist you’ve drawn inspiration from would you love to connect with if you had the chance to at a festival like that?
Cameron Danielle: I didn’t know who was performing actually, and needed to look at the line-up. During my detox; I became closer to my femininity and my masculinity…and my appreciation for demine feminine and masculine people and energies…I also loved her album. I listened to it on repeat for the whole day — or maybe 12 times on loop. I’d like to connect with Amber Mark, but to design show outfits…I’m slowly thinking and planning a high fem line of clothing. I don’t know what I’m getting into there honestly, but I am just dreaming.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Gemini’ out soon – anything else you can share with us, perhaps tour plans?
Cameron Danielle: By the time this interview is up, I should have ‘Gemini’ mixed and ready to be released. I don’t have any tour plans currently. I’m staying with my mother through her breast cancer treatments. I’m also trying to figure out my documentary.
