Conchita Campos
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Conchita Campos

Brooklyn, New York, United States | SELF

Brooklyn, New York, United States | SELF
Band R&B Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"So It Goes EP Review - AMG"

Review by William Ruhlmann

The obvious antecedent for singer Conchita Campos is another New York-based female singer/pianist with a mixed American and South Asian heritage, Norah Jones. And on her seven-song debut EP So It Goes …(which is actually credited to her band, Conchita's Collective, with three songs performed by Neoterics, consisting of Campos, Mychal Campos, and Nick Rivera), Jones fans will feel right at home with the jazzy folk-pop tracks. But a closer influence is really Laura Nyro, the urban white soul songstress of the 1960s and ‘70s. Campos is not as dramatic and emotional a singer as Nyro, but she traffics in the same musical style, and she does it very well. These songs have sinuous rhythms that Campos negotiates with ease, playing with the grooves as well as the romantic messages of the lyrics, and ably backed by her fellow musicians, especially on the Neoterics tracks that sometimes turn into duets. - All Music Guide


"Conchita Campos: So It Goes Review"

One of the most fascinating aspects of music is the power it has to transport the listener to another place. Some pieces remind us of troubled times, others bring up powerfully nostalgic feelings and still others conjure up memories of certain places. As I listened to Conchita Campos’ new EP release “So It Goes” I had a strange feeling that I was back in New York City sometime in late fall, wandering around Greenwich Village. I couldn’t help thinking that Campos’ songs are perfect for the small coffee shops around Bleeker St. like The Bitter End.

As it happens, Campos currently lives in New York and it is certainly evident in her music that after two years in the city, the Big Apple has left its indelible mark upon her. At times echoing the hauntingly husky and soulful voice of Nina Simone, Conchita Campos’ music pays homage to her biggest influences while still retaining its originality. Her pop sound is as contemporary and modern as the city she lives in. Whether it’s the upbeat urban vibe of the first two tracks, “Just Time” and “Runaway Day” or the slower, more introspective “For Tonight,” “So It Goes” showcases a wide range of emotion and feeling.

Like most aspiring artists who move to New York in hopes of getting noticed, she has worked hard to establish herself as a unique voice among a frenzy of other hungry and talented musicians. Perhaps it is indeed her actual voice that has set her apart from the rest of the pack. Campos has strong and dynamic vocals that have presence and fit in very well with the current pop “sound.” She also benefits from the solid production of the album. Produced and engineered by Jonathan Jetter at Skyelab studios, “So It Goes” has all of the nuances and subtleties that define contemporary pop music.

There are great backing vocals, nice string arrangements and electronics and programming that often may not be noticed but add so much to the texture of the overall piece that were they not there, you would immediately notice the hollow spot. Her music is not pushing the envelope as much as it is refining and molding the current trend into something original and nice to listen to. However, it is the sincerity with which Campos feels the music and steers the melodies of the songs that makes “So It Goes” a success. - Blogger News Network


"CD reviews"

Conchita Campos
So It Goes
Independently Released

Summer may have found its soundtrack since Conchita Campos released her debut EP, So It Goes. The Filipino-American is breaking into the music scene and bringing an original sound with her. An interesting mix of jazz and folk, punctuated with the strum of acoustics, the track offers a breezy sound that is perfect for the laid-back listener. So It Goes begins with an infectious and funky beat in “Just Time,” while “Runaway Day” is more bright and cheerful. Each song that follows is carefree, light, and perfectly complimented by the soulful vocals of Conchita Campos. Since the CD is only 7 songs long, it is a quick pick-me-up for any slow summer day. –Suzanne Pfefferle

- Where Y'at Magazine


"Luna Kafe Record Review"

Conchita Campos' debut EP is recorded with her group Conchita's Collective and it's a pleasant disc. Her laid back approach makes it easy on the ear and the soul influence is thankfully low on vocal histrionics.

"Runaway Day" reflects on taking a break from stress and it certainly sounds it, Campos' vocal breezing on by. "For Tonight" is gently drifting, a piano taking the melody lovely places. The vocal is seductive and sweet. The song builds impressively to a strong crescendo. "Walking On Ahead" is carefree and relaxed, the band supporting the singer's vocals well. Conchita Campos should make a full-length debut soon since this is a very short but addictive record. - Luna Kafe


"Conchita Campos - No One Really Knows"

'No One Really Knows' is the Filipino-American singer Conchita Campos' second record, and she's been a busy girl since 'So It Goes...' with more appearances in and around New York venues and lots of radio play. This second offering is jazzier and much more solo-based, featuring the Park band from San Francisco, but it still incorporates Campos' soul-edged R&B vibes and lots of really, really nice percussion.

The EP begins with 'Changes', a grooving and melodic invite into the dimly-lit soul club of Conchita Campos' sound. It's got everything in spades - funky guitar hooks, organ backing, husky and passionate vocal delivery. This has that rare quality of modern soul music that is utterly attention-rewarding. It's sultry, end-of-the-night music you can really get on with.

The more indie-rock-y track 'On & On' nods to Tori Amos, and while these influences might seem a little disparate Campos flows beautifully between the moods, taking the listener along with her, hand in hand. This is all without the superb musicality going on in the background, including a gorgeous guitar interim. Then we have the dancehall-flavoured 'Silverline', an incredibly intelligent and meaningful track, and 'Now & Then' which allows a vocal showcase... There's a lot, lot of really good stuff in here.

'No One Really Knows' seems to set a trajectory for Conchita Campos, taking everything that has gone before and selecting a star on the horizon to aim for. This record is glamorous, flowing and seductive, and after a few notes you won't need me to tell you that. - Music Emissions Blog


"No One Really Knows Album review , 'Quote'"

"Conchita takes you on a journey about love, life, and expression in her music. She finds a way to combine soul, jazz and funk into one package showing her range, experience and insight in her music." - Big Rube, Former DJ/Host of 107.9 The End/Sacramento


Discography

Neoterics (singles)

Conchita's Collective (EP)

No One Really Knows (LP)

Photos

Bio

Conchita Campos is a NYC-based singer-songwriter. In 2007, when she released her debut EP, the soul/acoustic rock based So it Goes, she explained the intimate, soul searching nature of her work as a reflection of the many geographic moves she's made both growing up and as an adult. From Pasadena to Philly to the Philippines, she navigated the often difficult task of being the "new kid" in town by reading comic books, listening to loud beats and bass-lines, and writing lots of bad songs no one will ever hear. Her restless spirit eventually found its way to San Francisco State University where she studied music and Asian American Studies. She moved to NYC shortly after graduating from college, looking to hone her songwriting skills by surrounding herself with a talented and diverse community of artists.

And it seems to have paid off. In its review ofSo It Goes, All Music Guide wrote: "Norah Jones fans will feel right at home...But she traffics in the same musical style as Laura Nyro with sinuous rhythms that Campos negotiates with ease, playing with the grooves as well as the romantic messages." The Biloxi Sun Herald used adjectives like "funky," "catchy" and "melodic." She later delved into jazzier territory on her full-length release No One Really Knows (2009), collaborating with dynamic Bay Area hip-hop trio The Park, her college buddies from SF State. The album received praise from bloggers and fans alike.

After taking some time off from music to pursue a grad degree in public administration, she's back with a new project called Little Shells. Taking its name from the literal English translation of Conchita, Little Shells is a collaboration between Campos and other NY-based artists and musicians. It's a departure from the more personal narratives of her previous work, exploring broader themes of existence while expanding her artistic playground with new sights and sounds. While you can expect to hear the same vulnerable melodies Campos is known for, you may be delighted (or completely offended) by her incorporation of sci-fi, Nietzsche, kitchen supplies, and other highly sophisticated sounds like the kazoo. If that's not your thing, Campos has reunited with So It Goes producer, Jon Jetter, to create lush orchestral arrangements and a sonic landscape that attempts to transport the listener to otherworldly experiences.

Campos recently released her first music video, a short film vignette produced by Brooklyn design studio DUPO (run by Campos' husband Jacques Dupoux) and directed by Mtume Gant, best known for his role as Reggie Rawls in the HBO series Oz. The sci-fi inspired piece explores yearning, loss and regret in a post-apocalyptic world. Although the single, Ease My Mind, is from her last album, the sound and style foreshadow her next album. As Campos said to her producer recently, "Either this is going to be fresh and interesting...or it's just batshit crazy." In truth, she seems fine with both outcomes.

The new album is set to be released in 2015. Check out conchitacampos.com for updates.

Band Members