Los Angeles based, Columbian born artist, Camie, recently graced the world with her newest release, “Camieland.” Camie transports listeners to a mystical fantasy land, giving her audience a view into her imagination. Writing her first original song at age 14, it’s clear that Camie is gifted with her musical abilities. Besides being a singer/songwriter, Camie is an aspiring actress, having graduated from New York’s prestigious acting school, The Lee Strasberg Institute for Acting. Given all of Camie’s impressive talents and love for the arts, fans will be kept on their toes with all of her endeavors.
We are happy to welcome Camie to the On The Rise family. We had the chance to speak with Camie regarding her newest release, “Camieland,” what’s been keeping her occupied during quarantine, as well as what she has in store for the remainder of 2020.
For our readers who are unfamiliar with the gem that is Camie, can you introduce yourself and how you began your musical endeavor?
Hi everyone, my name is Camie Llano. I was born and raised in Colombia to a traditional Colombian family. I began showing interest in both music and acting from an early age (something that wasn’t very conventional), mostly coming from a small city like Pereira, where there’s not a lot of focus on the arts. I began expressing my desire to become a singer and actress at around age 8. However, my parents didn’t take it seriously since I was still pretty young. Wanting to be an artist in such a conservative country wasn’t easy. Everyone usually ends up studying for traditional and somewhat stable careers, such as medicine, law, business, etc., but not me. My career path was a very different one. That passion and drive to create and learn how to play the piano and guitar, wanting to sing all the time and daydreaming about living in Los Angeles, only grew stronger and stronger. Eventually, my parents accepted it. They saw my talent and embraced it; this is who I was meant to be. They became very supportive in the end but always keeping me grounded about how it was NOT going to be easy. They weren’t wrong! Despite so many sacrifices, being far away from my family (who I’m very close to), I’ve never doubted the love I have for my music and acting! I’m finally in the city of Angels, the city of my dreams, but most of all, the city where I can chase those dreams.
COVID-19 has really thrown the world a curveball. What has been keeping you busy? Any tv-show binging, new music discoveries, pick up any new hobbies?
Absolutely!! I’ve always been very active, love sports and nature, so this has been a great opportunity to really explore the incredible hikes and mountains this city has to offer. Being a fan of martial arts as well, I’ve pretty much mastered the nun-chucks, haha. Since I have A LOT of energy, I like to keep busy and be outdoors, so I hang out in the park a lot, wandering off to Camieland quite often. Of course, I’ve watched countless shows; the most recent was “Lucifer,” which I enjoyed. I think this time has taken a toll on many people’s mental health, lots of anxiety, and fear, wondering how long this will last. I was there for a while, but then I realized every moment we experience, good or bad, is part of everyone’s process. The biggest lessons are taught through the darkest times. We should use this time to our advantage; To reinvent ourselves, learn more about who we are and what we truly want, slow down, and appreciate the little things that so many times we take for granted.
If you could make a mini quarantine playlist, what songs would you put on it?
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Rhiannon- Fleetwood Mac
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Ocean Eyes- Billie Eilish
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Doin’ Time- Lana Del Rey
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Work- Charlotte Day Wilson
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All for Us- Labrinth & Zendaya
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Leave me Alone- Kaytranada
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Dark Child- Marlon Williams
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Don’t Start Now- Dua Lipa
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Cumbiana- Carlos Vives
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She’s Not There- The Zombies
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Hawaii- Maluma
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My Ex’s Best Friend- Machine Gun Kelly
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My Future- Billie Eilish
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I’ll Wait- Kygo & Sasha Sloan
Your music is very whimsical. What inspired you to start music?
Since I’m also an actress and a huge fan of film scores, I like to give that theatrical vibe to my music. I want people to feel transported into another reality and experience when they listen to my songs. I have been drawn to music for as long as I can remember. I listen to a melody, and I can pretty much instantly play it on the piano. It’s something I’ve been able to do all my life. I don’t know all the rules in music. I definitely don’t have a perfect technique. It’s more of an innate ability. It’s almost like a magical connection. I understand music on a deeper level than all the rules and all the science within it.
You attended The Lee Strasberg Institute for acting. How is the dynamic different for you between acting and singing/songwriting?
It’s not that different. If anything, they complement each other. I try to integrate both aspects. That’s what makes the songwriting process so unique, guided by my imagination, and wanting to tell a story, taking people into journeys, is a really fun experience.
Congratulations on your new release! I’m absolutely in love with the sound. What was the writing process like for “Camieland,” and what inspired the song?
It was such an enjoyable process, one that made me more open about stuff that I once thought to be too weird or crazy, and they are, but I’ve learned to accept it and embrace it. If you listened to the song, you know it’s a story about my imagination, my ability to transport myself into another dimension. It was a great feeling being able to talk about this with my team. Together we came up with this unique and honest sound and lyrics.
You just released the music video for “Camieland,” what was the creative direction for the video?
My amazing and talented friend Amalia Santa Maria directed the music video. Her vision captures almost all the aspects of Camieland, and she really understood my world and what I wanted to portray. We had a lot of fun shooting it and coming up with the story. Although this is only ONE of the many many places I go when I wander off to Camieland, this one was one of the coolest.
What is your creative process usually like? What comes first when you’re crafting something new?
I usually come up with the melody and the beat. I can be just sitting down watching a movie or working out, and then a cool melody hits me, so I rush to the piano, so I don’t forget it. Then I think of the lyrics and what message I want to live with it.
Can we expect any more new releases for 2020?
Yes! I’ll be releasing “Witch of LA, at the end of October. This is going to be a really exciting one, so stay very tuned.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
If everything goes as planned, I see myself touring worldwide, sharing my story through music. Hopefully also starting in a show or a movie. My biggest goal is being able to be successful in both acting and music.
To finish up this interview, do you have any words for your followers? Do you have any words to those who have yet to discover you and your magical music?
To keep on believing, keep on chasing your dreams, always staying true to yourself, and staying tuned jumping into Camieland.
Get transported to “Camieland” and stay connected with Camie via Instagram.
