As artists come and go through the halls of Russell House, Farah Camille captivates the eyes and ears of her audience with a blend of pop, dance and alternative music at Live at the Underground. This weekly open mic for student musicians takes place in the Russell House basement from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Listening to music can be a safe space for many students, but performing can also be a fun, creative outlet for aspiring artists looking to explore their potential. Students at the University of South Carolina can experience both at Live at the Underground.
USC student, singer and guitarist Farah Camille brings her Virginia roots to not only the popular Greene Street venue, but to other Columbia locations, including New Brookland Tavern in Five Points.
“My dad actually started getting me influenced because he’s a producer, and he’s a guitarist and sings,” Camille said. “Music, I was always surrounded by. It was natural to me."
Inspiration is a driving force throughout the music world, but composing can come with challenges like creative blocks, time constraints and pressure. Camille begins her songwriting process when an idea sparks her interest.
“I’ll just pick up the guitar and start with little chord progressions,” Camille said. “I write the lyrics that just come to me, and then I’ll write them down or record them. Then I’ll go back and fine-tune."
Camille released her debut song, “Over Now”, in September 2021, officially marking the start of her music career. By the time she arrived at USC in fall 2022 to pursue a degree in marketing, she had already released four more singles: “Let Me In”, “Isn’t Enough”, “No One Is Gonna Love You” and “NONE OF IT MATTERED.”
“Right before college, I had my first gig," Camille said. "From there, it just kind of took off."
Camille has performed more than 40 shows, some in her home state of Virginia and others in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. Throughout these shows and new experiences, Camille has connected with her audiences, though one concert in Virginia especially stood out.
“I saw a lot of kids in that audience, so I played a Taylor Swift song, and they got really excited,” Camille said. “So, a bunch of the kids came on stage, and we sang a couple of Taylor Swift songs, and the whole audience was singing along. It melted my heart.”
Alongside the fun and silly performances, Camille has delivered some big shows, displaying her musical talent at Washington's Hard Rock Cafe not once, but twice.
“The first time was really fun because I had all my family and friends come,” Camille said. During these shows, she even got to perform with familiar faces.
“My friend got to play with me on stage. He’s a guitarist,” Camille said. “My dad also sometimes plays with me on stage. People love to hear it — a father and daughter duo.”
In the same way listeners admire their favorite singers, musicians look up to their favorite artists as well. “I do love Taylor Swift. I think she’s just incredible for what’s she done," Camille said. "I love Kacey Musgraves; I do love Pink Floyd; I do love Fleetwood Mac. I like anyone that likes to get good songwriting in.”
Camille's target audience is younger demographics — young adults or “people that like to have fun,” as she puts it. Music affects people differently — in ways both big and small. That's exactly what Camille hopes to achieve through her songs.
“I want them to feel good, connect with them. I want people to feel relatable to me," she said. "I want to inspire others to make great music.”
A junior at USC, Camille has high aspirations for the future of her music career. “I definitely want to be working in Nashville," she said. "I see myself touring and meeting even more musicians.”
Live at the Underground is a place where Gamecocks can express themselves, choosing to either spectate or participate in the lively musical atmosphere. Camille is one of the many talented students who showcase their passion for music every Wednesday evening.
“I want to sell out stadiums one day," she said.
