Regina Band Interview Series: The Venus Extraction
Jeffrey Campbell shares his deep thoughts
Author: Kendall Latimer
The Venus Extraction is a Jeffrey Campbell project accompanied live by various musicians. Campbell’s lyrics provoke thought, and he has a taste for the peculiar. He released the SHAR-O-LYNN Sessions (two digital albums) over the summer.
What first got you interested in music?
I was really into music at a very young age. I was ten years old writing songs and lyrics. [Basketball] always came first, and it was something that I was molded into. Music was a love that I found for myself.
How did your band get into the music industry?
I’ve self-released everything, [and] done all my own marketing, production, and writing.
What are your future goals as a band?
Keep moving forward.
What is the meaning of life?
Happiness. There’s no question. What else could it possibly be, right?
What is your definition of true love?
I could almost say I don’t know…maybe it takes a certain situation sometimes to show you what the meaning of true love is.
Do you prefer reading fiction or non-fiction books?
Well, non-fiction isn’t always non-fiction. There’s a lot of exaggeration. I like the idea of everyday reality, but I love fiction too. There’s no question. And then drugs, right? You write about an acid trip, and that gives a whole new reality to everything.
Which superhero do you look up to the most?
I love the Fantastic Four. I’ve always liked the idea of a team being locked into it. Four people are a lot more powerful than one
If you could eliminate one of the ten commandments out of the Bible, which one would you eliminate?
Don’t think I’d change them.
What are your greatest failures?
I have no regrets. Living is my greatest failure.
What are your greatest successes?
Living.
Do you like cats?
I’m a cat guy. I like dogs too, but I’m more of a cat guy.
Who are your favourite sports teams?
I’ve found a new shooter: Stephen Curry who plays for the Golden State Warriors. That’s my team right now.
Which musicians inspire you the most?
Afie Jurvanen, Jack White, Lou Reed, and the Velvet Underground. Sonic Youth: they took noise rock to a whole nother level in terms of pop. Donavon. Nick Drake: he had this way of making the saddest songs seem happy.
Would you like your life to end with a fairy tale ending or a tragic ending?
I feel like you live to die. Death is probably the most interesting time in your life…I mean all the DMT in your brain. A lot of people say that they saw the light. They saw heaven. They didn’t see heaven. They saw what they wanted to see. They saw the dream chemical you know? It made them see it because that’s what they wanted to see. I think a suffering death would be interesting. I mean, it’d be terrible, but I’ve always felt that way.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Fake people. People throw it on, and they’re not real.
If you could go back in time historically and punch anybody you wanted to with no consequences, who would you punch?
Vladimir Putin.
What are your favourite ice cream flavours?
Vanilla and Half-Baked Ben and Jerry’s … chocolate chip cookie dough.
Why is the sky blue?
It’s blue because the reflections from whatever in space? I really don’t remember exactly why it is, but I do remember the reflection thing. It’s basically the reflection of the sea or something, right?
What physical aspects of yourself are you most proud of?
My brain.
What areas of life do you take the most pride in?
My childhood.
Which historical event do you wish never happened?
I gotta take a selfish approach on that…I wish John Lennon never died.
Come hear him for yourself. Check out The Venus Extraction on Oct. 17 at the German Club!