Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Camie

Rising singer-songwriter Camie Llano is ready to welcome us all to Camieland. It’s a place she’s spent her entire life, but it’s the first time she’s showing this side of herself to everyone. We caught up with Camie to learn more about this exciting new project and her latest single, “Camieland.”

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Camie: I discovered it when I was five years old. I started playing the piano and guitar. Music came pretty naturally to me. I was also very much into acting and movies and all the artistic things a kid can do. My parents were always like, “She’s a kid who wants to be an actress. That’s the dream.” As I grew older, I continued to be involved in the arts and music. They sent me to singing, piano, and guitar lessons—basically everything. I started writing music, and it came very natural to me. I was in all the talent shows in high school.

Once I graduated high school, I moved to New York to study acting and to pursue my career as an actress and singer. I was in a bunch of productions. It was a pretty amazing road.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Camie: Music-wise, I would probably say the Beatles. Sia has always been there too. I will also say musicals. Growing up and watching musicals like Moulin Rouge and Mamma Mia! made me want to become a singer and actress. That’s why my music is so theatrical. It has elements of that. Because I’m an actress, I like to explore that theatrical side to it too. That’s why I’m really into Danny Elfman and John Williams and a lot of movie composers because I love that magical, different kind of vibe. That’s how I write my music too.

PC: You’ve been open about the fact that you faced many ups and downs when you moved to LA. What did you learn about yourself during that time? How were you able to persevere?
Camie: I learned so much. I feel like now I’m finally in a good place, even though we never really find ourselves completely. We’re always reinventing ourselves and discovering new talents and abilities. But when I moved here, I was completely lost. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t know how to do it. I didn’t know anyone.

The city has such high expectations for everyone. Everyone’s doing the same thing. It’s so competitive. It really takes a toll on your confidence and talent. You start doubting yourself: “Am I enough for this? Will I be great at what I want to do? Will I be able to do what I want to do?” You start asking all these questions, and it makes you doubt yourself and what you really want to do in life. It was bad. I was really, really depressed.

But I feel like music, acting, my imagination, and the way I am with my mind, whether it’s good or bad, I can still pick up the pieces, sing, and write about what I’m feeling. When I’m happy, I can go into this happy place of mine: Camieland. I can create all these words and just be happy. Now, finally, I can take the best out of every situation, whether I’m sad or happy. I know it’s all part of the process. I know sometimes you’re going to be sad—you’re going to have hard moments—but at the end of the day, every day is a new day. You always feel stronger with every situation. You feel stronger with every situation you come out of.

PC: You have a new single out now. Tell us about “Camieland” and the inspiration behind the single.
Camie: “Camieland” is an introduction to myself and my mind. It’s about what goes on inside my head, pretty much 24/7. It’s something that not a lot of people knew about until a few months ago. I started talking to my friend and I realized I should express it. It was kind of a superpower and something that I shouldn’t be ashamed of. My friend encouraged me to write about it and explore it even more and understand what it is to live in my own head.

I feel like when I tell people, their response is so amazing and way better than what I expected. So I was like, “Wait, I might as well write a whole song about it, telling people how it started and how I never stopped playing in my room.” When you’re a kid at ten, you’re making all these scenarios in your room. I still do it, even though I’m twenty-seven. I know it’s silly, but it’s my way to escape reality. It’s sort of a meditation. I have a very vivid imagination, so I can really see whatever I’m imagining. I’m daydreaming as I’m walking with my friends and getting lost in my own world.

PC: The single is going to be a part of a larger body of work/project. What can fans expect with Welcome to Camieland? What do you hope to say with this body of work?
Camie: It’s going to be very mystical, exploring the celestial world around us and the different realities that we live in among us that not a lot of people talk about or take for granted. I wanted to really talk about that because it’s a big part of my life. It’s a very unique subject. Everybody writes about love, which I love. But this is different and it’s very personal, so I feel like people will appreciate the fact that I’m being so genuine and putting myself out there. I hope it encourages others to do the same.

PC: Of all the singles that you’re getting ready to release and have already released, if you had to pick one that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Camie: Definitely “Camieland.” It’s my autobiography. I couldn’t have put it in better words. It’s the perfect description of what goes on inside my head every single day. I never thought I could put it into words so spot on, but the team that worked with me and the people that helped me write it really dissected my brain.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Camie: Sia or Billie Eilish.

PC: First album you bought?
Camie: I think it was Britney Spears actually. I was a big Britney fan, and when I was that age, I was buying CDs and everything.

PC: First concert you attended?
Camie: Shakira in Colombia. It’s still one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Camie: Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. I really get so into the mystical and witchy things that go on in the album. Stevie Nicks’ voice is magical. I feel so connected to her, especially at the time that I was listening to it. I was like, “Whoa.” It blew my mind. All the sounds, the rhythms, the music in it, the words, the lyrics—everything was amazing.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Camie: I would say Madison Square Garden or the Troubadour.

To keep up with Camie, follow her on Instagram.