Ringing Endorsement: Dave Campbell
Decider debriefs the newly appointed host of 89.3 FM The Current's local music show.
Stacy Schwartz
Even if you're on a real-name basis with P.O.S., know every note of The Replacements' catalog, and sport a First Avenue T-shirt that's worn down to bare threads, then it's a safe bet that Dave Campbell knows more about Minneapolis music than you do. The Twin Cities native has held down gigs in almost every corner of the local music biz: working at indie retail landmark Electric Fetus, showcasing bands on the 2024 Records imprint, curating and promoting live shows, and even taking the stage himself with acts including E.L.nO. and Accident Clearinghouse. On top of all that, he's become more widely known as a radio host: He spent eight years on KQRS's now-defunct Homegrown, and he's about to jump into a new gig as the host of 89.3 FM The Current's The Local Show (taking over for Chris Roberts). Decider grilled Campbell on his plans for the show and the Minneapolis bands that churn his butter.
Decider: So what's your diabolical master plan for The Local Show?
Dave Campbell: The beauty is that there’s not a ton of reinventing to do. We’re gonna have two hours [per show] now, which is a really great thing. The format that we’ve loosely decided on is that the first hour will feature a guest—maybe it'll be Brent Sayers from Rhymesayers, Nate Kranz from First Avenue, someone who's active in the community, involved in the scene, making things happen. The second hour is gonna be more like the show has been, with an in-studio musical guest performing three songs and doing some interview. Certainly enough stuff to fill two hours.
D: On the old Homegrown show, you were smuggling new local music into a format that's mostly non-local classic rock. It must be nice to step into a station where local artists are embraced as part of the regular playlist.
DC: Yes. [The Current] plays at least one local track pretty much every hour. There's also more room for creative banter, especially in doing The Local Show and sculpting questions. My favorite thing is interviews. I love talking to people.
D: Of all the hats you've worn in the music business, is radio your favorite?
DC: I've always enjoyed radio. When I was applying to be re-hired at The Current, I had to provide a tape, and I actually included an old recording of myself spinning records on my old Fisher-Price turntable, listening to J. Geils or whatever it was. Playing live will always be a hobby of mine, and I encourage anyone to do it—everyone should play an instrument of some sort. But [radio] is what I like doing and what I really want to do in my life.
D: Which local artists are you currently digging the most?
DC: I love Daughters Of The Sun. I've seen them twice at The Nomad but would really like to see them play The Hexagon. That is a fun live show. And I love watching Alexei Moon Casselle [of Kill The Vultures and Roma Di Luna]. He's just so passionate about what he does. You think his head's gonna pop off his body if he gets any more intense. I really like Lucy Michelle And The Velvet Lapelles—I kinda crushed myself out on them. We had a torrid affair there for a while. It was beautiful, very romantic—they just didn't know about it.
D: With or without live music, where do you like to drink?
DC: I love The Turf Club. I spend a lot of time there—sometimes an inappropriate amount. It's just such a unique place, the birthplace of the SPMC [St. Paul Music Club]. It always feels like a place that's "for us, by us." I love The 331 Club, too, just because they do have live music seven nights a week, and it's always free. I've seen some incredible shows there. My other favorite is Mancini's, which is home to the hands-down best bar band in the Twin Cities, The Midas Touch. Nobody does it like the Touch. I personally modeled my style and facial hair after a couple of those guys. In my mind, they all arrive at the gig individually in custom-painted El Caminos.
