Meet Samuel Campanella | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samuel Campanella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samuel, why did you pursue a creative career?
I honestly had no intention of ever creating a rock ‘n’ roll band when I picked up a guitar at 18 years old, but to see where I’m at today, all I can say is that baby steps and blind faith led me to create Ritz Vanity. For me, I began to really fall in love with music in an obsessive fashion when I was 18. Connecting with music began through my voice where singing was my cathartic release, but after a while, it just wasn’t enough. I needed an instrument as a means to get closer to my favorite music. The electric guitar can be so expressive, and it is a foundational instrument to most of my favorite band’s music which lead me to gravitate towards it. To sustain and foster a deep connection to the music that changed my life, I stuck with the guitar through it all. Even after I learned all my favorite songs and was able to sing them and play all the lead and rhythm guitar parts together, there was still something missing. After a while I began writing my own music which eventually led to the formation of Ritz Vanity. To answer the question, I am pursuing an artistic career as a way to continue to connect with sounds that I am attracted to while creating my favorite music that doesn’t exist yet.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The idea behind Ritz Vanity was to create a band that embraces elements from many different genres of music to create a new and refreshing alternative rock style. We are continuing to explore many different sounds and effects that are unique to our band as we continue to shift our music in this artistic journey together. This idea has kept me and the band going through all the various challenges we have encountered within the last year; we all know the potential that we have together and watching the growth of Ritz Vanity has continued to motivate all of us to keep creating. If there is one thing that I want the world to know about Ritz Vanity, is that our music is for everyone. We are not one style or image, and we are not bound to any constricting barriers of a single “sub-genre”. We are a Rock band and what’s beautiful about that is that being a Rock band means you can be whatever you want to be. Rock music is for anyone who wants to be free and not care about what others say and think. Ritz Vanity gets that, and we welcome everyone to let loose with us and get lost with us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Regarding going out and drinks I would definitely take them to Part Time Lover and Live Wire. 2 very different vibes but always a great time at those spots! I would for sure take them to Lafayette at some point in the night especially if we are already in North Park. Noble Experiment is a great spot too that I would take them if we were in Gaslamp. If we were in Ocean Beach, we would defiantly hit up The Joint for sushi and Pizzeria Luigi for a slice. For a breakfast spot I would take them to Great Maple the food and service there in incredible. If we were doing karaoke in a group, I’d hit up Lamplighter for sure, always a fun time there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would say our mixing and recording engineer Drew Lundberg has been such an essential member in the growth of Ritz Vanity over the past 2 years. We have developed a very strong relationship since working with him at 12/21 Recording Studio, and I can confidently say the best is yet to come with what we create together. The chemistry he has with artists in the studio coupled with his technical skill is really incredible to witness, and I am very grateful that Drew is helping us bring our art to life.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritzvanity/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6BIJEMqmfmr-o0fqwpfwsg

Image Credits
Nashelle Brown Hoda AlRubai