Our guest on this episode of In Conversation is Torquil Campbell of the legendary Montreal Indie-pop band Stars. Campbell joined me on the show to talk about the group’s first new album in six years From Capelton Hill, out May 27th on Last Gang Records/MNRK Music Group.
The record’s name is taken from the small town by North Hatley, Quebec where Campbell’s grandfather built homes dating back to the late 1800s. Campbell began to think about his connection to this place and how his relationships—both with the people there and in his mind—have strengthened and diminished as time marches on. The album brimms with a sense of romance and transcendent pop beauty that are both unique to Stars, showing the band at the height of their powers more than two decades past their debut.
In this conversation we discuss how Campbell’s unique artistic connection with Stars co-songwriter Amy Milan has changed in their 20 plus years as a band, the way our hometowns seep into all facets of our artistic pursuits, whether or not he would consider becoming a songwriter for hire, and so much more.