The Portland-based new wave pop duo consisting of singer/songwriter Jen Deale and husband/drummer Chris Spicer has released their new EP Always? After meeting in 2010, they discovered their shared love for the mood, drama and songwriting of bands like The Cure, New Order, Berlin and the National. After getting married shortly thereafter, they launched Camp Crush and began channeling those influences into their own brand of dramatic pop.
Following the release of several singles and their first EP, She’s Got It, Camp Crush began collaborating with Grammy Award winning engineer and producer Rian Lewis, resulting in 2 EPs in 2019 – Run and Feel Something. Two of their songs, “Fireflies” and “I Would Run,” are featured on PDX Pop Now compilations.
Deale’s approach to music faced a big test at the beginning of the pandemic. A new EP had been written and studio time planned for March 2020 and Camp Crush made the decision to forge ahead even as the world paused. They worked virtually with their producer/engineer and began recording sessions from their home, finding that the situation removed the time constraints of the studio and allowed them to focus on getting it right. “It’s really satisfying to see the end product become something so special, something that came out of a major hardship,” Spicer said.
As things begin to open back up, Deale says, “We can’t wait to get back on the road and play shows again.” They played two shows in July, a performance at Mississippi Studios and at the Oregon Trail Brewfest. Visit campcrushmusic.com to keep on top of future performances and to access the new EP.
