Revive Yourself with the Revivalists

by Samantha Weinraub

“Cruising” is exactly how my conversation with Andrew Campanelli from rockin’ band The Revivalists went, and that is exactly what he was doing. Chatting with me on the road from somewhere between North Carolina and Virginia, Campanelli shared stories of touring and why exactly it’s worth it, all with an easy-going flow.

As a band with a lot of recent press and media coverage, The Revivalists maintain a down to earth and approachable manner. “It has been starting to happen,” Campanelli replies, on the topic of fans recognizing the band. He mentions how it has randomly happened on a subway in New York and how each time it is an awesome and invigorating experience.

From listening to and speaking with The Revivalists, one can see their true drive and passion for music and their fans. “Interaction with people while touring is one of the greatest parts.  Some of the best people are the ones we meet on tour!” Campanelli describes how he’s not in it for the driving or sleeping in hotels, but for the interconnectedness of it all: the symbiotic relationship while performing a show, writing a song you’re proud of, taking it to a stage, the interaction with the crowd and accessing the energy of the room. Anyone who has been to a concert can generally vouch for the sense of unity that comes with it. We briefly discussed the synchronization that happens when one performs in a roomful of people, the closeness, the ripple effect of energy and even the possibility of heartbeats syncing up.

The Revivalists (photo credit, Alysse Gafkjen)

The Revivalists can be counted on to bring their New Orleans energy with them while performing. “The city has a feel of its own. There’s a spirit that comes from they city; you absorb it,” Campanelli says on how New Orleans has influenced their music. They don’t play New Orleans style music, but they do play off of elements from the city.  Campanelli says that the people and friends around him have been some of the biggest influences on their sound. Mike Dylan Band and Les Claypool are just a few.

In one review, The Revivalists can be compared to “spicy musical jambalaya.” While Campanelli is not the biggest fan of musical jambalaya metaphors (although is a fan of actual jambalaya), he agrees that their music “starts with base to form something that can only exist over time.”

Campanelli loves touring, but declares it too difficult and stressful if you want to do anything else besides play music. It is clear that is what The Revivalists are here to do: to play some momentous music. In response to their song “Appreciate Me II”, I can say on behalf of fans worldwide, The Revivalists are appreciated and definitely a band to check out for their energetic and fiery performances.