Everyone can relate to Dutch singer-songwriter Cas du Pree because of the challenging themes and experiences he explores in his music. The glimpse into his private life through modern pop music also incorporates elements of rock, jazz, and soul and is combined with a peculiar voice that stands out among others. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
CAS DU PREE: Ever since I was a young boy I wanted to go to the school of the arts. My parents rather saw me do something that had a better chance for a steady career. They did let me enter song contests and I believe I was about 8 or 9 when I started singing. After that I took it on casually as a hobby since I was disappointed a lot. I sort of had a love and hate relationship with singing and sometimes even my voice. After I was scouted for a boyband when I was 19, I started taking vocal lessons but the boyband never happened. In 2020 when I was backstage during a play that I starred in I made some comments and the person I was talking to said I had to write song about it. After the performance I poured myself a glass of wine and started watching the documentary of Taylor Swift. This, in combination with what happened on that evening before, made me write a song in 30 minutes. That was my debut Single โA Better Meโ about overcoming insecurities and following your dreams. When the single was released people starting asking about my next move. Boy! I hadnโt thought of a next step butโฆ Soon I would be writing a few more songs and thatโs when I met my producer Arron Storey. We worked on 8 songs and 3 were done with my producer friend Frans Rinsma. Together we wrote an 11 song album and it took me 2 years to complete! The album is autobiographic and contains sings about difficult subjects I went through. These are pop-rock ballads with multiple other influences. Thatโs how this all started! Right now I am sort of rebranding. I want my music to be more poppy, danceable perhaps even disco. I just want to create music that I would like to listen to!
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
CAS DU PREE: If with formal training, you mean schooled, I am not. I learned a lot myself but I do have vocal lessons every 2 weeks to keep on learning and make sure my vocals stay on top!
3. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
CAS DU PREE: I donโt do or wonโt talk about politics. I simply donโt have enough knowledge and not willing to invest more time to gain it. I rather create music about topics that I like, been through, or just because singing is fun!
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
CAS DU PREE: Itโs weird, but people mostly tell me about how my voice resonates. I do have a bit of a weird voice if I say so myself, so yes. It does linger and stand out in some way. My album resonated because it is very personal. I sing about losing my sister and wondering what could have been if she would still be here (Kelly). Also that I donโt tell my husband enough that I love him with words. I mean, I do tell him by a glance, or a touch, but actually saying: I love you? (Too Little I Love Youโs) Not really. Currently my sound is evolving. Showcasing what I learned in the past few years and ofcourse seeking my own (new) style.
5. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
CAS DU PREE:
I am sรณ proud of how I managed to release my album during a live concert! It was in a theater with 5 amazing musicians and a very dear friend on backings. This was so personal and I worked so hard to get there! For my first album I totally went all-in. I designed my outfit, the concert visuals, I let a firm film it, and my self designed album was printed. I still donโt know how I managed to do all that by myself. I couldnโt be more proud. People really donโt know much work that all is and all the things that come into play for something like that.
6. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as INDIE?
CAS DU PREE: I donโt see indie as a style. I always thought indie meant that an artist was independent. In that case an indie artist can make pop or rock. I feel like I am constantly searching for a new thing, inspired by what I like from other artists. I am very afraid of copying someone else so I try and not to emulate others. I want to be me, using a vibe or something that I like from someone else. I want to stay true to myself and I am well aware that that can exist out of many facets.
7. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โCAS DU PREEโ?
CAS DU PREE: Wow, If we are really talking about my first influenceโฆ I guess thatโs Celine Dion. I always feel like sheโs a guilty pleasure or something. But back in those days, she was on the Dutch radio A LOT. I love what she can do with her voice and how she is live. I have deep respect for singers that can sing outside of a studio without autotune. Thereโs nothing wrong with that, but I like live performances much more. Recent influences are Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Sia, JP Cooper but I do like some oldschool Elton John and George Michael as well. I really donโt have a set genre!
8. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
CAS DU PREE: What is giving back in this case? I mean, I would love to be able for more people to notice me but I am not expecting this. The amount of work I put into something doesnโt mean anything to someone else unless they truly like it. Also itโs not work if you love what youโre doing! I also have to remind myself sometimes that this is not what I do fulltime and cannot expect the results of someone who does. Or a major label that invests a lot so someone can release a new song every 4 weeks. I have 1 dedicated day a week to invest in music, marketing, design and everything else that has to do with this craft.
9. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
CAS DU PREE: It really depends on the song. Sometimes I get some chords from someone which inspires me for a melody and then I think about how the chords make me feel. Then I tap into memories to see what the topic would be and I write some sentences that come into mind. I start shaping, write a bit and sometimes I even put it away for weeks or months to revisit it later. Usually that means a lot will be changed lol. Others songs started with a topic and I just started writing. Then I played around with chords on my piano until I had something I liked and build my melody around that. But last few times I start with a topic, some ideas and some lyrics and then I sent it over to Arron Storey or Frans Rinsma to create the base. And then we work together untill we are both happy.
10. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
CAS DU PREE: The most difficult thing is combining this with a regular job. I did start my career in february 2020 when everything went into lockdown which basically gave me nothing else to do. I worked so hard for 2 yearsโฆ After my album I had to recharge myself and I didnโt do much for nearly a year. Now I feel I am renewed and thatโs probably why I felt I needed to rebrand myself into the new me.
11. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
CAS DU PREE: Thatโs the magic of music i think. I love people having their own interpretation of lyrics because every song has another effect on every single person. It can take you back to old memories, or link the current situation to the song your listening to. my song โuntouchableโ for example for me is about always working too hard and missing all the good stuff on the way. constantly on the move for reaching something that is unreachable. thatโs how a music career felt for me for a long time and it certainly held me back. For someone else it could be an entire different subject or meaning. I love that.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
CAS DU PREE: I love my studio. Itโs in my home even. Performing live is awesome but also scares the hell out of me. That moment before you get on stage and hear or even see everyone really terrifies me. I usually need a song or 2 before I start being comfortable. So yes, I rather be comfortable in my/a studio working on material, testing things out. Testing out in public is something I will never do. If I go in public, I rehearsed it. I am truly terrified of going flat or anything. That must be the perfectionism in me. Also, on stage you want to look good. In a studio you donโt (unless youโre filming or shooting) and that is so underrated!
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