Brandon Campbell has released a new album, “Swinging from the Chandeliers.” It’s the first time all three members of The Brandon Campbell Trio have recorded together. It’s a Bend-based instrumental group which Campbell describes like this, “We are an acoustic trio with a sound rooted in the tradition of Gypsy Swing icon Django Reinhardt, but one that explores a slightly different path. It’s beautiful and sophisticated, yet contains within it a subtle, fun, darker vibe.”
Listeners will hear Campbell on guitar, Brian Hickey on upright bass and Mark Evans on tenor guitar. The three started making music together eight years ago. Campbell and Hickey met through their kids and Evans answered an ad on Craig’s List.
“There were no formal auditions — just a grateful surprise to find anyone interested and it worked out perfectly,” Campbell told the Source. He says their unique blend stems from his rockabilly-punk past in the Los Angeles music scene where his band at the time shared stages with The Stray Cats, L7, The Damned and Link Wray.
Campbell has released two prior solo albums and continues to write all of the original compositions. “The biggest difference from my previous albums is that I am now writing with Brian and Mark’s specific instruments in mind,” Campbell says, “and I’m not limited by my own playing ability as I was on previous albums where I recorded all the instruments myself. I compose the charts and the melodies, and they develop their parts over those charts. The tunes truly evolve during rehearsal, where we all try different things and see how we like them as a group. And sometimes there are ‘happy accidents!'”
Campbell says they try to infuse humor into their music. He’s a visual composer and starts writing a piece by picturing a certain scene in his head. “For instance, the title track, “Swinging from the Chandeliers,” was inspired by a party in an old mansion that had turned into complete debauchery,” he explains.
“We lightheartedly refer to our music as “Quality music for questionable people,” Campbell says. “We hope to provide music that is beautiful and passionate like traditional Gypsy Swing, yet with just a slight hint of mystery, macabre, and humor. It’s also a nod and humorous play on early jazz being considered “Degenerate Music.”
The latest album featuring the Trio is sold at Smith Rock Records in Bend and Herringbone Books in Redmond, as well as online. It’s also on multiple streaming platforms. The Trio also has three local performances in December and January scheduled in Bend.
The Brandon Campbell Trio Live Shows
Sat Dec 20 2-6pm The Ale Apothecary, 30 SW Century Dr. #140
Thu Jan 15 Stihl Whiskey Bar, 550 NW Franklin Ave.
Wed Jan 28 Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5, 566 SW Mill View Way
Free
This article appears in the Source December 4, 2025.
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