Don Campau interview on SystemCulture by This Window
* You also host a (fantastic) radio show (”No Pigeonholes”) how did you get started in this?
I started in non commercial radio in 1971. My friend, Geoff Alexander, had a radio show even when in high school and he brought me in for an interview and I became intrigued by this type of freeform expression. Soon afterward, Lorenzo W. Milam, bought this station ( KTAO in Los Gatos CA) and became a lifelong mentor influencing me ( and many others) with his vast knowledge of literature, music and personal relations. My KTAO experience ran from 1971-4 ( the station was sold), continued for a very short time at KUSP in Santa Cruz ( I was fired for being too esoteric) and then in 1978 my show at KKUP in Cupertino began. For a few years I did a program of avant garde, punk, jazz and ethnic music. Then in 1985 when I got enough home tapes, I started the “No Pigeonholes” format which continues today.
* Do you think the future of the Independent Artist is assured or do you think the best times have gone?
Well, I think “independent” means something different today. In the 70s and 80s it meant totally underground and almost unobtainable. One had to search it out at libraries, record stores and through rare mentions in small publications. There really was no such thing as independent rock bands then. Of course the landscape has changed dramatically now. Almost everyone calls themselves independent now. The distinction seems to be the fact that almost no band gets signed to a major label anymore. And major labels themselves are dinosaurs on the brink of extinction. I think Facebook, MySpace and all the other social networking sites have been a godsend for artists. It is easy to connect now. However, I have seen a trend of what I call “one way” communication these days. For example, I get quite a few emails now ( many times sent to dozens of other people) of “here’s my mp3s, play them on your show, no time to ask you how you are ( my words here)”. I can understand people trying to spread the word of their art but how about at least a small dose of civility and caring toward others?