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CAMU Releases Music, Video for ‘Empire State Of Sound’

By Kath Galasso on October 16, 2018

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Following their second U.S. tour, the Scandinavian band NAKED disbanded, leaving front man CAMU alone in NYC with only a guitar to his name. Eight years later, CAMU is back with a story to tell about the time between then and now.

That story has begun to unfold by way of a trilogy of songs and videos. The first part of the trilogy is “Empire State Of Sound,” and it pays homage to the city where CAMU healed and experienced all that the City life has to offer.

Primarily filmed in CAMU’s old neighborhood of the East Village, the video features fast and furious cuts of the pretty and not so pretty scenes of the city. Its main focus is on the sounds of the city, as there is music to be found not only in the clubs but also in the subway trains, police sirens, and the never-ending street noise.

As CAMU explains, ““I wrote & recorded the first version of Empire State of Sound while I was living in East Village New York after NAKED had broken up after our second US tour. The song is not only a celebration of the good times I’ve had in New York, but a shout out, to the energy, motivation & answers those city streets gave me during dark, unforgettable & trying times. So much can happen in a New York minute, so to say. For me, New York will forever hold a very special place in my heart. It is where I found myself, the love of my life & some of the best friends & experiences that I will cherish forever, not to mention I’ve recorded a LOT of music there & it is the first place I was able to explore & express different sides of my music style. Empire State Of Sound is a window to my NYC experience & my very own NYC anthem. My ode to NYC.”

While rearranging the song a few months ago, the healing process continued when CAMU sent the song to his former band members. A reunion of sorts began as each member, while in different countries, recorded their individual parts. The vibe definitely worked out and the band will be going out on the road together again next year.

“Empire State Of Sound” is a loud, in-your-face song that celebrates all that CAMU has taken from living in NYC. While at polar opposites in sound and feel, the song’s message is reminiscent of the Leonard Cohen classic “Suzanne,” in how the juxtaposition of beauty and filth in the everyday scenes of the city is essential to the balance of life.

“And the sun pours down like honey on our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love and they will lean that way forever”…Leonard Cohen

Undoubtedly that’s not the vision CAMU had in mind, but it’s intriguing to look beyond the obvious. There’s no info yet on the next two parts of the trilogy but taking the next part of the journey could be an interesting road to travel.

Post by Kath Galasso @KatsTheory

CAMU website

CAMU facebook

“Empire State Of Sound” on Spotify