A Quick Chat with Anais Campbell
Anais Campbell returns with Small Things Everyday, a reflective country pop release that speaks to persistence, belief, and carving your own path. The Cairns-based artist, who recorded her first EP in Nashville at just 17 and has graced stages from Tamworth to the Brisbane Ekka, steps into a more mature sound shaped by experience and resilience. Built on warm organic guitars, steady rhythms, and her silky, soaring vocals, the track captures those challenges of chasing long-term goals despite outside opinion. It is a grounded anthem for anyone proving that progress is built in small, daily steps. We caught up with Anais to talk about the single, her evolution, and what’s next.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
'Small Things Everyday' is an anthem to creatives who have ever been told they won't make it far, people who are faced with constant doubt by others and those who need to back themselves in life. This song perfectly represents the crossroads I am at, navigating my mid-20's, as a songwriter in a regional area, and the self doubt I face as an artist. I hope that people listening feel related to, but also get a fire in their belly that says they are good enough, and can succeed in whatever they want to.
Not only through the intentional lyrics, but the collaborative production, 'Small Things Everyday' feels like a big step up from my previous works too. I am so proud of this song, and am very glad for it to finally be out in the world.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
I love artists like Lennon Stella, Laci Kaye Booth, Stephen Sanchez, Olivia Dean and Yana, to name a few.
Songwriters who are storytellers, relatable with their lyrics and create interesting melodies.
My perfect listening experience is finding a song that takes me by slight surprise, whether that's through cool vocal tone, a play on words or melodies you don't expect, and I love artists that do this well!
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
My songs all start by tinkering. Either on keys or my acoustic guitar. Just playing with chord progressions and humming random melodies until something special clicks. When it does, I get the same familiar feeling each time, and I lean in until a song is finished. I will continue to edit and add to the song over a few weeks, but I like to have a solid base down on day one.
On a studio day, I thrive in being collaborative with my producer, build the track from the instruments up, and both contribute ideas until we end up with a track we both love. Ending the process with me listening to the draft song on repeat for a few days, through headphones, speakers, in the car, and ironing out any changes it needs.
What do you think makes a great song?
So many things! The best thing about music is how open to interpretation topics like this become. Personally I think a strong hook is key today in mainstream music. Elements like interesting instrumentation, experimenting with melody and writing with intention, all snowball together. I love when you can hear honesty and personal experience in lyrics too.
As a listener, you can tell when songs are created from a deep place, this keeps audiences hooked and makes humans be able to relate to each other.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
The list is long.. However, if I had to narrow it to one, I would say Kacey Musgraves. She is an incredible artist with international popularity in the country, indie and pop space.
I adore her songwriting and her story as a musician. I would love to pick her brains and learn from her just as much as I would like to write with her. I saw her live in Brisbane in 2025, and dang. She is amazing.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I like to read, to play and coach sports, walk and enjoy time with friends and family.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Some artists who are based in, or hail from Cairns that I love! Eves Karydas, Greta Stanley, Hannah May, Amber Farnan and Tessa Devine. They are all amazing female songwriters and performers who deserve to be on listener's radar.
Winter or summer and why?
Summer always!! Living in Cairns, QLD, I thrive in the tropics. For the love of the beach, swimming pools, being outside and enjoying sunshine.
What do you have planned for 2026?
I plan to continue to write, release and record more original music, and grow my music network. My biggest goal as an artist in 2026 is to increase my online portfolio of songs to lead to more opportunities to perform, travel and collaborate. I will continue to enjoy music and keep inspired by attending shows too!