“The reason I write music is because I want people to start falling in love again,” said Cliff Campbell, a local guitar teacher and performer.
Campbell’s new DVD, “Helio Raie,” takes viewers on a supernatural and kaleidoscopic journey that features the acoustic and electric forms of Campbell’s music.
“I wanted to do the graphics on the DVD, and primarily I want the music to be subliminal, like a background type of thing,” Campbell said. “Most people are visual and want to see a visual creation.”
Campbell’s inspiration to use visuals on his DVD came from the time he spent in nature in California.
“I would go to the pier and see a couple sitting on the benches and play my guitar in the background, just so they could have the light and the ocean view and have the music going on,” Campbell said. “I wanted to generate magic for them. People need to have magic so they can start having romance.”
Campbell, a Santa Monica native, said he had to move away from California so he could expand his musical presence.
“In order to make it in L.A., you have to get out of L.A.,” he said. “I came out here so I could make a name for myself and then go back.”
Campbell moved to New Mexico to study at UNM, where he received a bachelor of science degree in anthropology. Now he’s working on his master’s in secondary education through Grand Canyon University, an online school.
“I have learned a lot out here,” Campbell said. “Native American music is wonderful. Everyone is so creative out here and I’m tapping into that and learning a lot.”
David Peters, a local folk musician, knows Campbell from the Thursday open-mic night they both frequent at Winning Coffee Co. Campbell also played the bass on Peter’s CD In the Lonely.
“He is a good guitar player and has a very unique style,” Peters said. “His music has a Moody Blues and a sort of cosmic space feel to it. He is a good musician whether playing guitar or bass.”
Campbell said his music sounds like a mixture of the bands “Yes” and “Rush.”
He mixes in cosmic sounds on the track titled “Traveler.” He said he places a slide on the fret board in the track, and with enough echo repeating, makes a spaceship-like sound.
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“I have a single processor and keyboard I use to set the background ambience and to bring out the rest of the composition, and that can evolve, generating sounds,” he said. “It’s not necessarily an instrument that is playing it, but it’s generated sound.”
Dean Maier, a local musician, also knows Campbell from Winning Coffee Co.
“He is clearly influenced by ‘Yes’ and ‘Kansas,’ the progressive rock from the early seventies,” Maier said. “He does have a sharp musical mind and idealistic lyrics that reflect a passion for science fiction.”
Campbell said he does well in live performances thanks to improvisation, but hopes his musical talent will lead him to composing movie soundtracks.
Campbell said UNM community members have helped him in his musical career.
“To me, being on campus at UNM is a privilege, and it’s the students on campus that keep my mind sane, that keep my hopes and dreams alive,” he said.
