When you listen to ‘Everything That Burns’, the debut EP from Grayling, it sounds wise beyond its creators years. At just 19-years old, Grayling - the alter-ego of Philadelphia native, Lexi Campion - has created a stellar body of work. Taking bright, uplifting melodies and marrying them effortlessly with raw, grunge-infused riffs, ‘Everything That Burns’ is the perfect way to introduce her to the Pennsylvanian scene and beyond.
“Individually, each song holds its own unique narrative and meaning,” says Campion when asked what influenced the creative process. “Together I think the songs generally capture a period in my life in which I was figuring myself out, as well as examining my relationships with others and determining how to act in certain situations. Personally, my favourite track is ‘Empath’. Sonically, I’m so proud of how it turned out, and I think it is probably my most mature moment on the EP as a songwriter.”
Campion has been creating since a young age, and has always had a keen interest in music. She explains how she first got inspired to write her own material, and how Grayling came to life. “I’d been writing songs from some point in middle school and into high school as an outlet, but nothing more than that,” she says, looking back on her early writing. “I never did anything with them (which is probably for the best) and instead played drums in an already established band once I began college. Living in a dorm my freshman year made it difficult to write, so I slowed down and started missing it a lot.”
“I talked to my producer/engineer at some point in August/September 2015 about possibly making an EP, and started to take things seriously quickly after. For my sophomore year (this year), I decided to live alone and I began writing every day, and things developed from there. The name Grayling actually comes from a species of butterfly, which, to be honest, doesn’t hold too much significance, but I wanted to call the project something that wasn’t ‘Lexi Campion’ and I really like the idea of a simple, one word name.”
While the concept of distorted guitar riffs and melody isn’t new, ‘Everything That Burns’ has a certain charm about it. The honesty in Campion’s vocals and the urgency and confidence that pours out of the accomplished playing make it stand out. With a broad taste, Campion has used applied elements from all of her influences into her music. “My mom is awesome, and got me listening to so much diverse music from a young age, like Madonna and The Police. Eventually she started taking me to alternative and pop punk shows. My favourite band growing up was Fall Out Boy, and my interest in them led me to so many other bands and genres. For Grayling specifically, I was really inspired by Bully and PVRIS.”
With Grayling being a labour of love for Campion, she has had a hand in almost every element of the composition of ‘Everything That Burns’, which was written with the live performance in mind. “I performed a great deal of the instruments on the record myself,” she explains. “My producer/engineer (and some friends) play some parts on each song and fill in the gaps where appropriate. Live, I have a wonderful group of guys back me, and I play rhythm guitar and sing. I’m so grateful that my band is willing to dedicate so much time and energy in order to help me pursue my dream.”
Of course achieving dreams doesn’t come without risks. Campion admits that she was nervous about her début release, and what she has brought to bear on ‘Everything That Burns’ is very close to her heart. “I’m a pretty private person, so releasing these songs, which are deeply personal, was definitely scary,” confesses Campion, looking back to her initial reluctance. “I was lucky in that there was no expectation for me to really live up to, but exposing these personal aspects of myself was nerve-wrecking. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, though, and I feel incredibly lucky that so many people have such positive things to say about my first release.”
Coming out of Pennsylvania means that Grayling is the latest name in a long list of talent from the Keystone State. Whether its indie/rock bands such as Petal, Tigers Jaw or Balance and Composure, through to hardcore, pop-punk, and shoegaze, PA is a hotbed for nearly every genre of music. It really does make you think that there’s something in the water. “I’m a little bias because I live in (and love) Philadelphia, but I think the music scene here inspires so much creativity,” says Campion. “I’m lucky enough to have the ability to go to a show for very little money most nights of the week if I want to. This allows me to experience so much music that I might not normally seek out on my own. On top of this, everyone in the community is so positive, welcoming, and supportive. I think that creativity is able to flourish in Philly (and Pennsylvania in general) because the people here want it to, and will do everything in their power to support the growth of the music scene and the creation of new art.”
In a world where it is all too common to hear artists talk about their surroundings with disdain, it is refreshing to hear Campion sound so enthusiastic about her scene. “Since moving to Philadelphia, I have been continually inspired by those around me,” she confesses. “Bands like Hop Along, JANK, Mumblr and tons more are super inspiring to be around. Also, I think that city living in general has inspired me to always seek something more for myself and to keep pushing forward. It would be hard for me to sit still with everyone around me doing great things.”
However, our scene does not come without fault. There is a dark side to it, particularly when it comes to female empowerment. Despite certain efforts to change misogynistic views and sexist attitudes, there is still a long way to go before this is stamped out for good. Campion is ready for what may lie ahead for her and is prepared to take the challenge head on. “I’ve been playing drums since I was about 10 years old, so I’m very familiar with sexism in the industry at this point,” she explains. “In my old band, I had sexist/misogynistic remarks made toward me at shows frequently. It is definitely not okay by any means, but it is something that I’m used to and that I’ve grown to deal with. I look up to (MMA fighter) Ronda Rousey when it comes to being a woman in a traditionally male dominated industry, and she always says “Remember, it is your right to be there”, which really resonates with me. Also, my brother plays bass for me, so I never feel unsafe at shows or when travelling knowing I have support everywhere that I go.”
So with ‘Everything That Burns’ completed, and receiving positive feedback, the world really is Campion’s oyster. While she isn’t really thinking about an endgame just yet, she certainly knows where she wants head from here. “Ultimately, my dream would be for my music to reach as many ears as possible and to travel in support of my art,” she says of her humble ambition. “In the short time that Grayling has existed, I have received such positive feedback and support, and I hope to continue to reach people that relate to my music in some way.”
‘Everything That Burns’ is available now from NDE Records.