Aussie songstress Cassady Southern is back to her roots with this latest rock offering. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: I was raised in a very musical family. My Dad was a ‘music man’, a songwriter, guitarist, band front man. In fact he was in the studio when I was being born! So you could say I was literally born into it!
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: A bit of both. I learnt piano as a child and then saxophone at high school. With help from others I taught myself some guitar
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: My father John Southern, JS, has been a huge musical influence on me. He and Mum, Jo, surrounded us with great music. Dad loved the blues and the Rolling Stones and more. I’m also inspired by bold rock women like Tina Turner and Chrissy Amphlett.
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?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: Listeners may notice a nice melody – a melodic chorus and guitar solo, for example. Some tracks are more upbeat, like our new single ‘What’s going on?’ which is a bit of a hard driving rock song. Listeners may notice my music traverse genres: from rock to country, to blues to ballad – all in the one set even! Listeners may also notice the lyrics too. I’ve been described as a bit of a storyteller. The sound is a bit female Aussie rock with a nod to the 70s and a look to the future.
5. 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?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: I was brought up on blues and rock, real ‘band’ music. This is now playing out in my own music. That said, I did do a bit of a pivot in 2020, studying music production at SAE. From there I went on to write and release some electro music, for example ‘Every little thing feat. Robbie P’. With this latest release I am back to my roots, with the rock, country and blues music styles of music.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – 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?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: I have actually released a couple of songs which have more of a social statement – such as ‘The Environment Song’ and ‘It may be a man’s world (but I’m a woman)’. These were on my first EP ‘Don’t ask me’. And I think if you are passionate about something you can use whatever platform you have to highlight it, as many musicians have done to great effect. However, we each have our own beliefs, values, desires and concerns. And, within reason, I hope that we can let each other have that EG focus on your goals up as opposed to bringing anyone else down.
7. 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?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: One of the first tracks I ever released was a cover of the Rolling Stones classic ‘No Expectations’. It’s not a bad mantra to remember at times! In all seriousness, I hope that everyone can have something which they’re passionate about – whether it’s work, family, your garden, music or other.
8. 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?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: I’m very lucky to play in the band with a group of really talented and experienced musicians and also with excellent producers and engineers. Often everyone will contribute something to a song idea of mine, lifting the overall track. Studying music production in 2020 opened up a lot of DAWs for me (joke). Now being able to use DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) – such as Ableton and ProTools – you can collaborate so easily.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: How long have you got, lol? A fairly obvious challenge is the no’s / rejection etc. And then the act of staying positive amidst that. Even getting a gig can be difficult – especially as an original act. The notion of ‘paying to play’ in terms of door deals etc can be very real. With my kind of music – playing in a 5 piece rock band – coordinating schedules and availability can also be no mean feat! Another challenge can be if you are ever not 100% happy with something you’ve done EG thinking the vox could have been better or coming up with a slightly better arrangement after you’ve recorded it. To that end, there are a couple of tracks I now do differently from the recorded versions, including ‘I ain’t feeling a thing’, ‘You left me ‘cos I wouldn’t change my ways’ and ‘You’.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
CASSADY SOUTHERN: The latest release What’s going on? Please have a listen and let me know what you think!
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