The rest is hard work, intuition and dedication but if you asked the pop duo if they ever doubted their career, they said they always had a feeling they’d get there.
As sisters, they have been practicing since childhood, experimenting with what they call “passion pop” – their trademark honesty set to catchy, dance floor hooks – which has seen them breaking into the Top 40 on Canadian radio charts, landing in the top 20 on Billboard’s Emerging Arts chart as well as making appearances at the Much Music Video Awards and Much on Demand (a particularly meaningful milestone for any Canadian). Major press from Toro Mag, Flare, E!Talk, Billboard, Stuff Mag, Elle and songs from their first album being featured on MTV’s The Hills mark how far their infectious melodies have traveled.
After releasing “Shine 4U” to radio and winning the Chum Emerging Artist award, the single started outperforming major label artists on the charts. Crafted alongside platinum-selling songwriter and producer, fellow Vancouverite, Ryan Stewart, the girls knew Shine 4U was special right away.
“I think we all knew we were on to something after the first writing session for Shine 4U. We would dance to it in our car, which is always a good sign to us,” laughs Camille.
Stewart is building a reputation of having an ear for what will singe the airwaves, and Carmen and Camille cheer on the careers of other West Coast ladies like Carly Rae Jepsen, One More Girl and Kay – joking that there must be something in the water.
It’s refreshing to find artists more interested in creating a feeling than subscribing to a lifestyle, which is perhaps why the girls have resonated with fans around the world.
From military gigs in remote areas of Egypt to bawdy Glaswegian pub crawls, Carmen and Camille are either totally immersed in the moment or sifting through travel’s personal revelations and chance encounters for the next hit song. And though the girls are more comfortable layering their life experience into lyrics than boiling it down to a history lesson, they do have memories from past tours that they’ll share from behind contagious grins.
“One of the most fun tours we’ve ever done has to be England and Scotland, There was one time we were running to catch the train to the next city and I tripped on some gear,” recalls Camille. “Our DJ ran back to help and as I was sprawled there with my guitar on top of me, we watched the train pull out with only half of us on it!”
“We didn’t know anyone in Scotland and that was actually one of the best receptions we’ve had. People were getting into the music and coming up after. They knew how to have a good time,” adds Carmen. “After Glasgow we went to some church that was converted into a bar. It was so weird to be in a hundreds of years-old building, ordering a drink next to a pew.”
It is their ability to appreciate these moments that serves as an endearing contrast to their musical idols, Janis and Stevie – and unlike those inspirations, their life-long bond means they never have to face new territory alone.
It was this ability to lean on each other that saw them through one of the hardest moments in their musical careers. In the midst of recording with Grammy-winning producer and friend, Tal Herzberg, the new project was abruptly halted upon Tal’s unexpected passing. Carmen and Camille took some time to adjust and regrouped, tackling new roles behind the console as co-producers of their upcoming EP. The girls soon hit their stride with an upbeat compilation of songs that truly reflect the journey the girls have been on together.
“Big Love [the anthemic chorus revealing a predicament every girl has been through at one point in her life] started as an instrumental track that we wrote to, which is not as common for us. In the past, we’d usually start on the guitar. It’s been fun to get more creative with sounds and experiment with keyboards and synths,” shares Carmen, the excitement in her voice building. “It was based around a relationship of Camille’s and wanting the best out of someone. It is deeply personal, something that is a recurring theme in our music.”
This is never more evident than in the verses of Haunting Me, evoking a delicate spring rain that collides with a thunderclap of grief, begging “let me go, if it’s over now. Don’t let me love a shadow,” or the poignant, Away, which harkens back to the fearlessness of childhood, declaring “I won’t run away anymore.” The EP is a promise of change and growth, but with Carmen and Camille, the important things have stayed the same.
“Songwriting makes you feel like there is some other, high power,” they reveal. “You get inspiration out of nowhere. A song can just come to you.”
So can a feeling. Underneath the driving beats and catchy synths of the new upcoming album are songs sung from the heart, and the gut.
Away
Carmen & Camille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You knew that
When I needed help
You'd give me all, but that
I'd feel my self suffocate
Begging for you to come see me
From two hours away
Always a fight, I'm never right
It's better you stay away from me
It's better this way, I've found my peace
It's better you stay away from me
It's better this way, I've found my peace
It's better you stay
It's better you stay
It's better you stay away from me
It's better this way, I've found my peace
Then you come to me
And I'm happy
You touch me and say the things
I needed to hear to erase
Blue lights and shows, saxophones
The life style, life style got to me
You show me things I'd never know
And I start to believe that this was something I needed
It's better you stay away from me
It's better this way, I've found my peace
It's better you stay
It's better this way, I've found my peace
The lyrics of Carmen & Camille's song Away talk about a complicated and tumultuous relationship. The singer is addressing someone who knows them well and has helped them in the past, but for some reason, they are unable to communicate effectively or maintain a positive relationship. The first verse points to the singer's inner struggles, with the line "I'd feel my self suffocate" expressing a sense of being trapped or overwhelmed. They cry out for help and wish for the other person to come and see them, but it seems that distance and conflict have made this difficult.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "it's better you stay away from me, it's better this way, I've found my peace." It's clear that the singer is attempting to create some distance and boundaries in the relationship, perhaps because it's too painful or stressful to be close to this person. They think that by isolating themselves and finding inner peace, they can improve their overall well-being. But then, the second verse of the song takes a sudden turn. When the other person comes to visit, the singer is happy and feels loved. They appreciate the way the other person is able to make them feel special and erase their worries.
The song paints a complex and nuanced picture of a relationship that is both supportive and destructive. The lyrics suggest that the two people in the relationship have a deep connection, but there are also disagreements and hurt feelings that make it difficult to maintain a healthy and stable partnership. The final line of the chorus, "it's better you stay," suggests that the singer is uncertain about what they want from the other person but know that distance might be necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't myself
I was feeling lost and I wasn't acting like my usual self
You knew that
You were aware of my behavior and understood that something was wrong
When I needed help
During my difficult times when I required assistance from someone
You'd give me all, but that
You have always provided your best help, but it was not enough since I was in a critical situation
I'd feel myself suffocate
I felt overwhelmed and under immense pressure
Begging for you to come see me
I wished and pleaded for you to be with me physically and mentally
From two hours away
You were not close enough to me geographically to reach me on time
Always a fight, I'm never right
Our interactions were frequently conflictual and I felt like I could never win an argument with you
Your life overvalues my thoughts
Your priorities and interests within your life override my opinions and feelings
It's better you stay away from me
I realized that our relationship may be toxic, and it may be best for you to keep your distance
It's better this way, I've found my peace
Since you have taken a step back from my life, I have found a sense of tranquility and happiness
Then you come to me
When you unexpectedly appeared to me
And I'm happy
I feel relieved and joyful after seeing you
You touch me and say the things
Your affectionate actions and words comfort me
I needed to hear to erase
You said what I wanted to hear, which helped me forget my worries and fears
Blue lights and shows, saxophones
You introduced me to a new and exciting lifestyle filled with bright lights, entertainment, and musical instruments
The life style, life style got to me
I became caught up in the new lifestyle that you showed me
You show me things I'd never know
You broadened my experiences by introducing me to novel and interesting things
And I start to believe that this was something I needed
I began to believe that being a part of this new and exciting lifestyle was what I truly needed in my life
It's better you stay away from me
Despite the positive experiences, I still believe that keeping your distance would be better for both of us
It's better this way, I've found my peace
I am content with my life and have found inner peace after taking some distance from you
It's better you stay
I think it is in our best interest for you to keep a safe distance from me
It's better this way, I've found my peace
By distancing myself from you, I have found what truly makes me happy and at peace.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Camille Martayan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morris200890
I really like when artists make acoustic editions of their songs.
The song is really great and the voice you two have are wonderful :)
Carmen & Camille
Wow, thanks for writing such kind words :) Were happy you like the song! It's actually my favorite off of our EP Neon (this is Carmen by the way). Thanks again for commenting! xo
Ellie Sinclair Grace
You're amazing<3
Carmen & Camille
You are Ellie! Thanks for the comment xo
Kiim Zetina
So great girls <3
LPSDakota
OMG U ROCK I LOVE YOUR SONGS AND I KNOW ALL THE LYRICS TO NEON LIGHTS! I LOVE NEON LIGHTS ITS MY FAV SONG! AND ITS ON VIDEO STAR! =D I LOVE U!
Carmen & Camille
That's awesome you love that song! Did you make a video for it?
OkawaxX
don't need many instruments,just 2 voices :-) (frensh comment lol)
Carmen & Camille
Yeah we kept it pretty simple for this one... let us know if theres any songs you think we should cover! Thanks for writing :)
LPSDakota
Of coarse I did!!!