Name: Andrea von Kampen
Nationality: American
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current release: Andrea von Kampen's new single “A Fox, a Bird” is out now.
Recommendations on the topic of sound: I think Braiding Sweetgrass is a great book about becoming more connected with nature and the world around us.

If you enjoyed this Andrea von Kampen interview and would like to stay up to date with her music, visit her official website. She is also on Instagram, Facebook, Soundcloud, and twitter.

For a deeper dive, we recommend our earlier Andrea von Kampen interview about her voice and singing.



How do listening with headphones and listening through a stereo system change your experience of sound and music?

I love how close and isolating good headphones feel when you play a song through them. I love listening with headphones in a busy public space as I people-watch. My favorite way to listen to music though is definitely in my car.

I wrote a song called “Time + Space”  when I was listening to a lot of music in public spaces in Italy. I’d walk around the piazzas for hours just listening to music and thinking up ideas for this song and I think it ended up feeling very communal.

Tell me about some of the albums or artists that you love specifically for their sound, please.

Paul Simon is a big influence for me. I love how great his writing is and how expansive his arranging can be.

The different sounds and influences he brings to his work keep it really fun to listen to and I never tire of going back to his albums and listening straight through.



Do you experience strong emotional responses towards certain sounds? If so, what kind of sounds are these and do you have an explanation about the reasons for these responses?

Yes! My ears are really sensitive. Sounds of cutlery scraping, chalk sounds and clicking pencils really bother me. I feel anxious when I hear these sounds and become hyper fixated on them and then feel a deep urge to flee.

I’ve looked it up and I totally have misophonia. But no worries, I’ve found a support group online. 😂

There can be sounds which feel highly irritating to us and then there are others we would gladly listen to for hours. Do you have examples for either one or both of these?

I could listen to the sound of rain all day everyday.

Are there everyday places, spaces, or devices which intrigue you by the way they sound? Which are these?

The sounds of my neighborhood as I walk my dog are so relaxing.

I love the way wind rustles tree leaves, the sounds of the church bells, the birds talking to each other, the squirrel sounds of annoyance as my dog walks by them, etc.

What are among your favourite spaces to record and play your music?

I like the isolation of a studio, feeling like I’m in my own little world.

I enjoy playing music in old concert halls and theaters. Places that feel like they have history and a soul.

How important is sound for our overall well-being and in how far do you feel the "acoustic health" of a society or environment is reflective of its overall health?

I think sound matters quite a bit. I feel calmer when it’s raining or a nice song is on.

Sirens and stressful sounds can totally make your body feel tense.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds?

Growing up in the Great Plains, a walk through the prairie can feel like a spiritual experience.

There’s so much history and connectedness when I walk through this land and the whole prairie feels alive. I love the humming sound and the way the tallgrass whistles in the wind.

Many animals communicate through sound. Based either on experience or intuition, do you feel as though interspecies communication is possible and important? Is there a creative element to it, would you say?  

We’re so much more connected to animals than we realize.

If we see ourselves in relation with animals I think we can start to communicate with them in a much more profound way.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

I’ve always had sensitive ears and have used ear plugs since my early teens in any loud setting. Hopefully this will help with my long term hearing health.