By: Shane Bagot, Community Journalist
SOUTH JERSEY — Taylor Swift’s rise to stardom in the late 2000s and early 2010s would inspire a whole generation of singer/songwriters to pick up a pen and guitar, giving young girls and women a figure to look up to. South Jersey-based artist Camille Peruto was one of those artists hooked on the music.
It was not just Swift who was a strong inspiration on a teenage Preuto, but also the singer/songwriters Sarah Bareilles and Colbie Caillat. Another big impact was her father, who is a musician as well. From watching him play guitar and listening to his classic rock favorites like The Beatles, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, and Elton John, it was what gave her a feel for melodies.
Around the time of her beginning this path into music creativity, her parents got divorced. The music helped to be a positive light in a dark time.
“I found music to be a really great creative outlet for me; it kind of made me feel like I had a purpose in a time where otherwise I just felt very lost and trying to put myself back in my shoes,” said Peruto.
It was something she could see herself doing forever. It was a time for self-discovery and finding the magic in music.
Something that would help her songwriting was her storytelling. Peruto would write stories when growing up, with the use of her creativity. It would come together when she started playing the guitar and honing in more on songwriting and having a method that works for her and her writing habits.
Peruto also attended open mic nights at Coffee Works in Voorhees which would prove to be an important time as she would gain lifelong friendships and connections. One connection in particular would lead to recording her first album, “Sparrow.”
By making demos for over a year and working every day after school, an opportunity opened to record the album at Morning Star Studios in Pennsylvania with recording engineer Glenn Barrett.
“It was a magical experience. I loved hearing my songs come to life. All of the recording artists on the album were top notch Philly musicians. I’m very lucky to have worked with them,” said Peruto.
This allowed her to get her name out locally. She booked more gigs, wrote more music, and made more albums.
Four years would pass before her next release of “Sea to the Sky,” Peruto’s personal favorite record. Recorded at Lake House Studios with producer Eric Kase Romero in Asbury Park, this album adopts a more dream pop sound. The sound and music she grew up on.
Another four years would pass before her newest album, “Perfect Vision,” was recorded at Forge Recording Studios in Philadelphia. “Perfect Vision” has a more straightforward rock sound to it and has her favorite songwriting out of all her albums.
Despite not releasing a new album outside of a remaster of “Sparrow” in 2023 and some singles, Peruto is working on new music, focusing on more singles and working her way up to an EP.
After getting married and buying a house, she has a different experience trying to write.
“I think I’m gaining a lot of life inspiration right now. It’s gonna all kind of come out wherever it’s ready, but I have a few new songs. I’ve been trying to be a little bit more honest in my songwriting as well, and like less of a storyteller and more of applying my actual life, because I feel like that’s what people want to hear,” said Peruto.
In the meantime, Peruto has been consistently showing up and playing shows, mainly covers with a sprinkle of her own originals. Now, most of her work consists of performing, with a true love for putting on a show for an audience.
“It ended up being my hobby that I loved so much. It just turned into a job. I really wouldn’t change it for the world,” Peruto said. “I love what I do. I know that I make so many people happy and lift their spirits, and that’s really important to me.”
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