Aleksi Campagne reassures fearful listeners in his soothing and heartfelt new single and video Won’t Be Scared — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The latest preview of the bilingual Montreal indie-folk fiddle-singer and songwriter’s upcoming debut album For The Giving, Won’t Be Scared offers comforting words — perhaps from a parent to a child — about being brave and facing up to life’s inevitable changes:
“When the days are short
And it’s cold and dark
Light a spark in the fire
And that spark will reveal
That those monsters aren’t real
And you won’t be scared for long
“It’s that feeling you get
When you first leave home
All alone against the world
Soon you’ll make new friends
Till you feel at home again
No you won’t be scared for long.”
The lyrical theme echoes Campagne’s personal journey as an artist. He began performing alongside his mother, Canadian folk icon Connie Kaldor, at the age of five, and at 19 moved to Paris to study under jazz violin legend Didier Lockwood. By 25, Campagne’s musical odyssey has led him to grace the stages of Canada’s renowned folk festivals. Won’t Be Scared was selected was selected as a finalist at Kerrville Folk Festival’s prestigious songwriting competition, where Aleksi was the only Canadian to compete.
Despite his devotion to the violin, Campagne has also had second thoughts about it. “I sometimes wished that I had studied a harmonic instrument, like the guitar or piano, instead of the violin when I was younger because it would have made singing and playing — my two passions — much easier,” he says. “But having grown up at folk festivals, I got to see legends like April Verch or André Brunet sing while accompanying themselves on the fiddle, so I knew it was possible. It’s really thanks to their example that I now also fiddle-sing — but in my own indie-folk way.”
For The Giving was made possible through grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR, enabling Campagne to record the album in his childhood home during the pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the health restrictions, Campagne collaborated with his band remotely, creating intricate arrangements and incorporating elements such as vocal harmonies, strings, and a whistle solo. The final recording process took place with the producer and the band living together in Aleksi’s childhood home for a month, ensuring a safe and cohesive production.
For The Giving will be available on July 13. Watch Campagne play the song above, check out the studio version (and more of his music) below, and don’t be afraid to visit his website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
