The Baker's Dozen #39 Craig Gould

Craig Gould is an artist looking to make a difference. Following a run of singles, Craig will release his debut album ‘Songs From The Campfire’ on April 14th. The album is the centrepiece of Craig’s personal campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues, with ALL profits from the album and singles benefitting the CALM charity https://www.thecalmzone.net/. Please read on to learn more about Craig’s back story, the album ‘Songs From The Campfire’ and why he feels so passionate about this project. Singer. Songwriter. Storyteller. Campaigner. Craig is all these things, so it seemed an ideal time to get to know Craig a little better via The Baker’s Dozen here at Red Guitar Music. 

1. What is your earliest musical memory? 

I can remember being in pre-school singing Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. What a tune. My son is at pre-school. He came back singing Yellow Submarine last month. That was a cute moment.

2. Do you remember the name of your first band?

We formed at the age of 16/17 to play three cover songs in a school talent show. We called ourselves "The Marshalls" after Jim Marshall's amps. Our Maths teacher played the bass and sat in the dressing room drinking beer before we played. Legend.

3. Which current artist do you find the most impressive and why?

I'll have to say Declan O'Rourke. I honestly believe he is one of the greatest lyricists we've had this century. His works are educating and inspiring. 'Chronicles of the great Irish Famine' shares the stories of what was happening to folk in those awful times. His voice is so beautiful, with a range that is unrivalled. His guitar playing is like nothing I've ever heard or seen before. I'm truly in love with his work. 

4. Do you sit down to actually try to write songs or wait until inspiration strikes?

I’ve never been able to say “ok it’s songwriting time” - it just doesn’t work for me. I find they come to me when they are ready, which can be whenever. I’ll get the basics out of my brain via either recording on my mobile phone or along with guitar if it’s around. The lyrics come later but I usually find I’ve spat the basics out somehow in that initial vomit draft and I just build from there.

5. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

You’re never too old to watch Disney films with your Mom

6. You’re stuck in a lift with your musical hero (living or dead) and they ask you to play them something - who is it, what do you play and why?

That's such a tough one. I'd have to say Johnny Cash. I'd play a song I wrote for my wife called "Baby Come Home" - his love for June Carter was so beautiful so I think he'd appreciate the song. I love Cash and his story. The American recordings were a big influence on me. They taught me the beauty in simplicity.

7. On the road, do you have any pre-show rituals/superstitions?

Not really. Use the toilet, then use it again, would probably be me.

8. Should music be free?

Depends on the context? Should music and the arts in general be accessible for all, regardless of income and budget? A huge yes. Our society doesn't do enough to make this happen. We need to make sure that art is able to inspire everyone and not just those who can afford the top tier tickets. With all that said, artists should always be paid for their work, whether they are performing or it is being played from recorded material. If we can find billions of pounds for PPE that does not work then we can give extra funding to the arts, schools and local authorities to balance out the access to music and creativity. 

9. Can you remember the first record you bought and what have you bought recently?

The first album I purchased was Ocean Colour Scene's 'Moseley Shoals' back in 1996. It changed my views and feelings towards music, and was the first collection of songs I'd heard that actually made me want to pick up a guitar and have a go. The most recent purchase was my fellow artist and good friend Jenny Colquitt's EP 'Lost Animals' - Jenny sang on 'Out of the Woods' and has an amazing voice. We've gigged together and she is a wonderful talent - equally impressive as singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. Lost Animals is a fantastic EP.
 
10. What was the last song that made you cry actual tears? 

I wrote a song called 'I am the Earth' after my Mother passed in January 2022. It's on my debut album 'Songs from the Campfire' which releases April 14th. It's a hard listen and sometimes it still hits me when I play it. That's grief though isn't it. We learn how to carry it.
 
11. In the digital age, we have more music and video at our fingertips than ever before.  Do you have any guilty pleasures or recommendations in film or TV?

My wife and I have been bingeing "Happy Valley" which is fantastic. Sarah Lancashire's performance is immense. Ted Lasso has been great as a quite warming show; Ted is quite positive and inspiring as a character and it’s good TV. I'm waiting for Idris Elba to return as John Luther. I'm super excited for that one. 

12. Your house is on fire. You already have your loved ones slung over one shoulder and
your guitar in one hand. With your other hand you can rescue three CDs or LPs…What are they?

Cash at Folsom Prison, Neil Young's After the Gold Rush and the Rolling Stones Exile on Main St.

13. What is the most important thing to you that you can see from where you are right now?

I've been writing this whilst my son popped over for a cheeky snooze. Beautiful moments like this can make my day.

“I’m compelled to use my experiences of mental health illness and recovery to help others, raise awareness and generate funding. I want to help create a brighter future within the UK towards mental health care, and I’m very pleased to be working in partnership with Campaign Against Living Miserably, CALM, charity reg no 1110621 and SC044347 ”

— Craig Gould

Visit Craig’s website for album preorders and tickets for his upcoming run of live shows commencing with FREE shows at HMV stores in Burton On Trent ( April 15th) and Birmingham (April 16th).

https://craiggouldmusic.com/

The Album - ‘Songs From The Campfire’:

Celebrated as both songwriter and performer by some of the UK’s most respected acts, Folk/Americana artist Craig Gould announces the release of his long awaited debut album ‘Songs from the Campfire’ - part of his groundbreaking project in partnership with CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably, on the 14th April 2023.

Gould’s ability to entwine story within song has seen him draw comparisons with music royalty such as Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon and Bob Dylan. His debut album [Songs From The Campfire], featuring the critically acclaimed singles ‘Ain’t No Place to Hide’ (iTunes UK Country Chart #2), 'Captain of the Seas’ (Amazon Music HNR Folk Chart #1) and ‘Burned’ (iTunes UK Country Chart #4) is the pinnacle of a 3 year project which has seen Gould share the journey of his own recovery from severe mental health illness and create a record that celebrates strength, empathises vulnerability, and normalises conversations around mental health. Gould has pledged to donate all of the profits from ‘Songs from the Campfire’ and its singles to CALM to help those who are in need.

Mixed and Mastered by Miles Myerscough-Harris at Whispering Bob Harris’ Under the Apple Tree Studios, ‘Songs from the Campfire’ (co-produced by Gould and Myerscough-Harris) boasts an impressive array of 20 featured artists (45% of these identify as female, a blueprint Gould was determined to follow) and funding from over 80 donors who supported Gould’s crowdfunding campaign.

With a loyal fan-based backing, and a featured artist roster including the likes of Anna Corcoran (AMA UK Instrumentalist of the Year 2021/Robert Vincent/Laura Marling), Dan Sealey (Ocean Colour Scene/ Merrymouth/Cosmotheka), Chris Baldwin (Riding the Low), Blánid (Netflix’s The Witcher Anime), Jenny Colquitt (FATEA Female Artist of the Year 2022), Lee Cogswell (Monomedia Films/Sky Arts/Paul Weller) and Sophia Di Martino (Marvel’s ‘Sylvie’ in Loki), its not hard to understand why Gould’s debut record is being met with such anticipation and excitement.

The story behind Songs From The Campfire:

Craig lives in the Midlands and is originally from Tamworth. He spent most of his twenties as the singer/songwriter/lead guitarist of folk/rock band Carousel Circus, supporting established acts including Levellers, Ocean Colour Scene, The Rifles, Example, Oysterband, Flogging Molly & Maximo Park.Gould showcased his natural ability to hold both stage and audience, performing at venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall, Islington Academy and Liverpool’s Cavern Club, alongside festivals including Bearded Theory and Solfest. Live performances on both Kerrang! Radio and as part of BBC Introducing established Craig as one of the UK’s hottest new songwriters.

After much deliberation, Craig left the band in 2014 to concentrate on a promising management career. Leaving the music behind allowed Craig to fully commit to his senior leadership role, but in 2016 his impressive progression halted when he collapsed at work, resulting in a serious head injury. Later diagnosed with a severe mental breakdown (leading on to PTSD) Craig experienced a 'burnout' result after years of working within high paced & pressurised commercial environments. It was at this point that Craig embarked on his toughest journey yet, tasked with piecing himself back together to a place where he would be able to comfortably re-integrate within the world. Whilst these initial months were the hardest of times, comfort began to grow in these darkest of spaces as Craig re-discovered a love for music. Songwriting became a tool to process, to meditate, and to self-analyse. Over the next 12-24 months songs began to flow with each one capturing moments of Craig’s journey of recovery. Fast forward to January 2020; Craig was now armed with a collection of songs he deemed his best work yet, and a determination to use his experience to help others. He wanted to show that you can come back from the lowest of lows, and also come back stronger.

After announcing his return to music in early 2020, Craig didn’t allow the pandemic to halt his desire, and instead used the enforced covid lockdowns to his advantage. Early demos were recorded, social media presence built, and blueprints for the project were drawn up. Craig Gould’s dream to turn the darkest of days into hope for others has become a real and monumental project; An independent artist co-producing his own debut album, enrolling 20 artists, gaining the support of over 80 donors, and creating impressive partnerships with established bodies such as CALM, Tanglewood Guitars, PackSmart (physical distribution & fulfilment) and Evans Above PR is an achievement to celebrate - but in Craig’s own words; “This is just the start”