Cameron Brooks
Cameron Brooks is a 21 year old musician and composer from the south of England, born in Gloucester, a small town near Bristol. He’s been playing the piano ever since he can remember – he recalls when his dad brought home a small keyboard someone had given him for free, at age 6, and his family have told him countless times the story of his obsession with the instrument, playing it for hours from that very early age. That passion led his parents to get him private lessons, first on the piano and later on expanding to clarinet (encouraged by his dad who also plays the instrument), saxophone, and lately guitar and ukulele too. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Creative Music Technology at the Falmouth University.
Some of his influences come from spending time outside in nature, in the striking landscapes of Falmouth and Cornwall, and of artists such as Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Max Richter and Daigo Hanada amongst others. In Cameron’s own words “When I discovered Olafur Arnalds Living Room Songs album, I don’t think I had ever heard anything that I felt was as humble and beautiful and I’m not sure I have since either.” He is part of a second generation following the footsteps of pioneers responsible for the resurgence of the modern classical movement.
His first compositions came in the form of electronic music, a few years back, while he was at school he got audio software that allowed him to record and produce his own songs and this gave him a window into the world of composition. While he has been writing music for several years, for moving image and projects that range from soundscapes, ambient, electronica and instrumental, and has released an EP and a couple of singles via Soundcloud, 2018 sees his debut on Subtempo.
A period of darkness that Cameron is still recovering from is what brought to life his latest EP, “Vicissitude.” After going through a period where he felt disillusioned with music, and recovering from mental depression as well as a physical injury, he found solace in recording live instrumentation. The piano being his sweet refuge, the place where he is able to express his emotions more clearly and openly than through any other medium. This period gave way to 4 distinct pieces. For two of the songs, ‘To Glimpse’ and ‘Hope’, he enlisted friends and collaborators to play his compositions on Violin, Viola and Cello. The result is a beautiful and deep 4 track EP, with varying moods, that show the breadth and spirit of this young composer.
