Torquil Campbell is the co-lead singer and a songwriter for the Montreal-based indie rock bandStars. In addition to singing, he also plays the melodica, trumpet, synthesizer, and tambourine. Campbell is also an actor and playwright, most recently co-creating and starring in True Crime, produced by Crow's Theatre. He is a co-host of The Basement Revue Podcast, along with musician Jason Collett and poet Damian Rogers. Previously, Campbell was a regular contributor to the CBC radio program Q.
Music career
Torquil is involved in a solo project called Dead Child Star, created in March 2008. The first album from Dead Child Star came out in January 2011, titled Cold Hands, Warm Heart. He is also a member of the bandMemphis. They have released three albums, the latest of which, Here Comes a City, came out in 2011 by Arts and Crafts. Their fourth album was completed in 2018 and is due for release. In addition to his involvement in these projects, he occasionally records and performs with Broken Social Scene, a Canadianindie rock band and musical collective.
Theatre career
Campbell worked as an actor for much of his life, appearing onstage throughout North America, playing roles as diverse as Gary, the teenage prostitute in the original New York production of the controversial play Shopping and Fucking, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the title role in Shakespeare's Henry V. He has directed theatre, including a production of Romeo and Juliet for the Hamptons Shakespeare Festival. Campbell has also had numerous acting roles in Canadian television series and TV movies, including the role of Bill Badger in the animated seriesRupert, Pray for Me, Paul Henderson, and guest appearances in Sex and the City and Law & Order. He has also appeared in several feature films. Additionally, Campbell has designed music and sound for theatre. Campbell is touring a play across Canada co-created with Chris Abraham about convicted murderer and imposter, Christian Gerhartsreiter. Entitled True Crime, the play has been performed in Toronto, Stratford, Prince Edward County, Calgary, and Victoria. It will be performed in Vancouver, Saskatoon, Mississauga, and Montreal in 2019.
Personal life
Campbell was born in Sheffield, England, and came to Canada during childhood with his family. He is the son of the late actor Douglas Campbell and his wife, Moira Wylie. He attended and graduated from Jarvis Collegiate Institute in Toronto before going on to study theatre in New York City. Campbell is married and has one child. He and his family live in Vancouver.
