Who We Are
BAND BIO
Cami Nyx & The Shades is THE band to see in Central Ohio. Covering all of your favorites from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and now – along with some bass-thumping originals written by lead vocalist, Cami Nyx – this group will have you dancing all night. Featuring the soaring vocals of Hilliard native, Cami Nyx, this band brings the house down every time they perform.
Cami Nyx and the Shades is made up of Ben Kemp on drums, Shawn O’Brien on bass, Philip Stalter on lead guitar, with front-woman, Cami Nyx on vocals. From the first time this group of lifelong musicians jammed in late 2022, they immediately ‘clicked’ and knew they had found the magic combination. With musical backgrounds spanning rock, country, jazz, heavy metal, pop, and even theatre, Cami Nyx and The Shades brings a level of versatility to their performances that is sure to keep folks of all walks of life energized and entertained.
Taking cues from their musical heroes such as Eddie Van Halen, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, and [need one more here], Cami Nyx and The Shades blends screaming guitar solos with groovy bass lines and melt-your-face-off vocals into a musical experience that will blow your mind and leave you screaming for more. From Stevie Wonder to Donna Summer, Dolly Parton to Shania Twain, Led Zeppelin to Guns N’ Roses, this band can truly do it all.
Cami Nyx and The Shades is currently filling their 2024 calendar.
Cami Nyx
Founder & Lead Singer
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Cami has been fascinated with music since she was four years old. She began classical training at the age of 8 then performed in local vocal competitions and musical theater, growing into the artist she is today. Through her years of intense training and performing, she has developed an immense passion for music of all genres.
Leaving Ohio at 18, she began her journey as an artist in Nashville, TN. In January 2021 she released her debut single, "Floating". Cami continues to grow as a person and artist every day, constantly writing, performing, and working on building her brand. Her debut EP, "Under the Sun", was released in June 2022. She then formed The Shades in September of 2022 and went on their first tour during the summer of '23. Now, you can catch Cami and The Shades ramping up for their 2024 touring schedule!
Phil Stalter
Lead Guitar
Phil was born near the Great Lakes. He and his brother, Ben Kemp, moved to Westerville Ohio, switched instruments (on one occasion during a jam), then Phil went back to guitar and Ben back to drums. They grew up, put a band together, and began playing backyard parties and clubs in the Columbus area. They hooked up with various local musicians and started a band called Glass. It was around this time that Phil began employing a new skill in his guitar playing, the "two-handed tap" technique (which he adopted by mimicking a guitarist from the Netherlands). Almost immediately, Phil was recognized by friends and family as the best new rock guitarist on the scene, and he won numerous polls conducted amongst his band members. Having replaced their vocalist, the brothers changed the band name to 55 Arrows. For three decades memorable performances at venues such as Newport Music Hall, Huntington Park Stadium, Columbus School for Girls, The Summit Music Hall, Park Street, Signatures, and Rumba Café. cemented Phil's reputation as a lead guitarist willing to incorporate soaring leads into a wide range of musical styles. Be it an original song or covers of bands such as Blondie, Van Halen, Police, ABBA, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, and Kool & The Gang, Phil's unmistakable style adds an exhilarating dynamic and, at times, gratuitous volume.
Shawn O'Brien
Bass
Shawn was born and raised in Gahanna, Ohio. He always loved music and listened to the music of his young (compared to others) parents. Classic rock was upfront with some pop and funk mixed in. He never played an instrument or was in a school band, he was more focused on sports. After a few years in college, he went to culinary school and became a chef. While he was the chef at his family-owned restaurant, some friends from college would perform on special occasions. They would practice in Shawn’s basement and always talk about how a bass player would make the band sound so much better. This sparked something inside of him. When the decision was made to sell the restaurant, Shawn began his musical journey at 30 years old. Bought his first bass in 2004 and hasn’t looked back. He cut his live performance teeth with The Sofa Kings and played with them until 2018. In 2019 he joined back up with his guitar player Phil and started jamming with Ben and played a few gigs here and there while searching for the right singer. Then the stars aligned and the boys were introduced to Cami. The guys' determination and attention to detail have payed off and they will be backing Cami Nyx as…
The Shades
Ben Kemp
Drums
Ben Kemp has played Drums for many Columbus bands including:The Honey's, Good Company, The Damn Thing (featuring Marcy Mays of Scrawl), Bob City, ThePleasure (featuring The Fabulous Johnson Brothers), Sophmore, Templeton and currently is thedrummer for Radio Tramps.Ben began his musical journey at age 12, playing percussion at Blendon Middle Schoolalongside Trumpeter and future Shades Axeman Philip Stalter.In the spirit of the Van Halen brothers, the 2 made a pact to Rock! At age 14 a drum kit andguitar were acquired. They then began cutting their teeth in the suburbs of Westerville, OH onMotley Crue, AC/DC, The Police and James Brown covers.Over the next several years various bands came and went.Eventually it was time for a new project. Phiip introduced Ben to future Shades Bassist ShawnO'Brien and we twisted his arm to play ABBA covers. He was hesitant at first but, since heloves the funk.... and ABBA is the best all time band in the world ever..... It worked! Wedecided to somehow make this a thing.Finding a KILLER singer was the hardest part of course.A perfect match was made when Nashville's Cami Nyx needed a backing Band for Ohio shows.WIt was Kismet! Both parties already did Dua Lipa covers and all agreed that making CNATS tourt-shirts was an absolute necessity!So..... Cami Nyx & The Shades was officially born.... Hewn into the living Rock!
