Inspiration for a song (or story) can come from anywhere – in the case of Sydney country-folk singer-songwriter Pete Campbell, his new single, ‘The Parts I’ve Seen’, started life on Coogee Beach, where Campbell started wondering about the beachgoers around him.
‘The characters in [the song] are real, yet unknown to me,’ he says. ‘They were just strangers at Coogee Beach that I observed as I sat around, imagining their stories. Pretty quickly it occurred to me – what I could possibly know about them?!’
There’s a wistfulness in the song – which is having its premiere here today – which suggests that Campbell wants to know more about those he’s observing. It’s in the steel guitar and the fiddle, weaving their way around the piano and vocal. Yet at the same time Campbell’s voice is steady, anchored, indicating he’s fine right where he is, and that wondering is best done from a place of settled curiosity, not a desire to live any other life.
The song is the first single from Campbell’s next album, Barely Fed, which will be released in early 2026. It was recorded with his live band, The Lazy Dog, which has members Jed Wesley-Smith (Pat Powell, Bec Jenson) on bass and Tim Bradley (Mambo Brown, The Stoop, Amber Kenny) on drums. Since the album was recorded they’ve been joined by Ross Waraker on keys.
‘The Parts I’ve Seen’ features guest artists Lachy Doley on piano, Ollie Thorpe on pedal steel and Lara Goodridge on violin.
Says Campbell of the recording process at Studio 57, ‘putting the song together in the studio, it reminded me of Watchhouse (Mandolin Orange), with the strings and its vibe. I love Ollie Thorpe’s pedal steel playing and always thought this was the one for him to play on!’
Listen to the song: https://petecampbell.bandcamp.com/track/the-parts-i-ve-seen
You can see Pete Campbell & The Lazy Dog live in Sydney in January – dates here.
