Nova Scotia Based Vintage Blues-Rock Duo Campbell & Johnston Are 'Righteous' With New Single

By Sarah French.

Halifax vintage blues-rock duo Campbell & Johnston have been entertaining audiences across Canada with their soulful tone, 60's and 70s rock-style guitar riffs, and bewitching vocal harmonies, opening for some big names like Burton Cummings, Steve Earle, and Bob Seger.

PEI raised, Nova Scotia-based artist/songwriter Christine Campbell is a true representation of her diverse influences – from hard rock and 70’s rock to roots and blues. A killer guitarist, classically-trained pianist, dynamic songwriter and incomparable singer, Christine Campbell is truly a rare, multi-faceted talent. Christine has released two critically acclaimed solo albums. As a performing artist for almost a decade, Christine has toured Canada, opened for Chantal Kreviazuk, Bob Seger, Steve Earle & Jann Arden, and showcased at the 2020 Folk Alliance Conference in New Orleans.

Blake Johnston is best known as the guitar-slinging powerhouse vocalist for Halifax-based band The Stogies.

Campbell & Johnston have released their first single, “Righteous” off their upcoming studio album, showcasing a jambalaya of roots, blues, and soul reminiscent of Little Feat and Dr. John.

"I wrote the song a few years ago, before "2020" and everything that followed.

Christine remembered it from a late-night party session where I played it. She really liked it. Cut to a few years later, she remembered the song and thought now would be a good time to bring it out. She was right," says Johnston. "I envisioned it as a more classic outlaw country Americana tune, Christine saw it as a more soul and rnb driven tune reminiscent of Ann Peebles. Again, she was right. Once we started fleshing it out, I dug into the Little Feat bag of tricks for some icing on top, and here we are."

In 2021, they released their self-titled album, Campbell & Johnston’s Black Market Band. The self-produced recording adds a touch of their old school rock influences with a modern twist on blues and soul. The album went on to earn the award for Best Blues Album at the 2022 East Coast Music Awards and a Maple Blues Award nomination for New Artist/Group of the Year. In 2023 Campbell’s home province showed their support for her, with the Music PEI Rooted to the Island Award.

Campbell & Johnston’s music can be heard in various popular Canadian television shows such as Hudson & Rex and Sullivan’s Crossing.

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