UNDERCOVER CAMEO – AN ALL-INCLUSIVE TALK WITH THE BAND
By Ralph Beauchamp
Undercover Cameo is an up-and-coming folk quartet that is making huge waves. The group started off as a duo and along the way picked up two additional members that totally enhanced their brazen sound. Steeped heavily in the folk genre, Undercover Cameo have extended their musical boundaries. Comprised of Lucas Neil (Guitar/Vocals), Olivia Charlotte (Piano/Vocals), Sandy Allen (Mandolin) and Elizabeth Beisel (Violin), Undercover Cameo‘s music contains ethereal sounds and outstanding harmonies. The band’s musicianship is superb. Neil and Charlotte’s vocals fill the air with airy delights. Undercover Cameo is the real deal.
Undercover Cameo will be releasing their new single, “Hands” this Friday via Bigger Beast Records. The song is a beautiful track with divine vocals and lofty harmonies. Every note is an atmospheric jewel that would intoxicate any listener. Neil’s voice is lush with stellar textures. Charlotte’s backing vocals are melodic with silky accents. The orchestration is light and soothing. The tune easily brings an inner peace to one’s soul. In fact, Undercover Cameo states: “we are intent on cultivating an environment of loving and healing energies for every audience we encounter.” “Hands” definitely fulfills that message.
Undercover Cameo was kind enough to sit with AMP for this all-inclusive conversation.
AMP: Can you give our readers a brief description of the group’s formation?
UCAMEO: Undercover Cameo began as a joining of songwriters Lucas Neil and Olivia Charlotte. Both Neil and Charlotte frequented the Westerly RI music scene and were supporters of one another’s work. They decided to experiment with a musical collaboration rooted in vocal harmonies. Next came Sandy Allen, dear friend and mentor to Olivia Charlotte, on Mandolin. Rounding out the group is accomplished Olympic athlete and illustrious fiddle player, Elizabeth Beisel.
AMP: How would you categorize your music?
UCAMEO: We hope to create art without genre. Lucas likes to say that we play the music that is happening in the air around us. But if we had to categorize what we do, Olivia says we play fairy folk for our fabulous friends.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
UCAMEO: Our creative process often starts with Lucas or Olivia bringing in a song with vocals paired with guitar or piano. Then the band collectively shapes it. Sandy and Elizabeth are fearless when exploring ideas and songs tend to evolve naturally. We pull them apart, try them fast, try them slow, until they start to feel alive for everyone in the band.
AMP: Do you feel artists should use their platforms to inspire social change through their songs?
UCAMEO: All art is a celebration of itself. We yearn to make things that move us. We want to play songs that feel earnest, exciting, and grounding for us every time we perform them. If they have an optimistic message that can be interpreted in a positive, activist, community-based sense, so be it. Beyond that we want to hold musical church to heal our spiritual wellness as a society. That’s our truth. We celebrate those who choose to take a more direct approach.
AMP: What’s the group’s internal energy like?
UCAMEO: We want the band to be a space where we can be vulnerable, honest, and have a damn good time. The group’s foundation is the friendship between Olivia and Lucas, but we’re all friends now and care deeply for one another.
AMP: Your new single, “Hands” drops this week via Bigger Beast Records. Can you give us a little insight into the track?
UCAMEO: Lucas wrote “Hands” to be a meditation in reflection, hope, and love. The working title of the song when Olivia and Lucas were first forming it was “Hymn Number One”.
AMP: Do you feel folk music has a voice in today’s musical landscape?
UCAMEO: We feel like acoustic instrumentation and raw live performances are returning to the forefront of the music world. We believe that our presentation can have a home in the hearts of the many people who appreciate this shift. So, yes!
AMP: You have played with some amazing artists such as Ryan Montbleau and Josh Rouse. Is there a particular show that stands out?
UCAMEO: We’ve had the honor of opening for so many beautiful artists, and we are eternally grateful to them all. You can’t grow your reach in this industry without the generosity of bands/artists with larger followings. Two moments that stick out in our minds are joining The Wolff Sisters on stage in Northampton Mass for their final song at The Parlor Room, and playing the Snow Moon Festival alongside Will Evans.
AMP: Who are some of the songwriters who have influenced your music the most?
UCAMEO: Olivia began making music due to the work of First Aid Kit. Lucas is a student of many of the household names of ages past, such as John Denver and Bob Dylan, as well as more contemporary acts like Blind Pilot and Gregory Alan Isokov. When coming together, the band is ever inspired by the eclectic stylings of The Head and The Heart, Bonnie Light Horseman, and Bright Eyes.
AMP: What does the future look like for Undercover Cameo?
UCAMEO: Undercover Cameo wants to heal, connect, and spread love through music. The group hopes to garner enough support and success to record the full length album that they’ve been rehearsing for many months. No matter what, however, the group will always be playing music, smiling wide, and holding each other dear.
Undercover Cameo will embark on a four day “Hands” release tour this month.
7/10 – The United – Westerly, RI
7/11 – Pearl Moon – Woodstock, NY
7/12 – Guilded Brick – Holyoke, M
7/13 – High Nine – Deep River, Ct
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