After dropping their smooth and impressive debut album, Cassia are ready to focus on how to follow up that success. Not only that, the band also have acclaim for their live shows; a mighty impressive nomination from the Association of Independent Music Awards came their way last year for how they’ve stood out when performing on stage.
The guys have been recording in Berlin and since the turn of the year, two singles (‘Drifting and ‘Do Right’) have been brought out and a buzz is building for what is next for Cassia. Over email, I was able to ask the band about the release of their debut record, birth of the band and what is next for the group!
credit: Christian Müller
Last year you released your debut album, ‘Replica’. How does it feel looking back on finally putting out your debut record?
Feels longer than a year ago! I suppose the overriding thought is that it gave us a great foundation to build on something. We put a lot of time into such a short space of time to produce the album so it always feels like such a blur. There’s so much we loved and so much we would probably do differently. It gave us an insight into the process which will certainly help us with the next record. In summary, a solid first album.
How did the band all come together? You are from Macclesfield, did the neighbouring city Manchester and it’s music legacy play apart?
Myself (Lou) and Rob met at school. We began trying to put some music together and even bagged a gig at our local. It was after this we decided a drummer was essential if we were going to take it any further. A few weeks later over a Wetherspoons pint we hesitantly asked Jake (the pro) if he would consider playing drums. The rest is history!
From then Manchester was like our musical hub. We tried to get as many gigs as possible knowing that people turn up wherever the gig in Manchester. I think our first show was at the ruby lounge and we managed to get a fair few heads down. Then to headline the Ritz a few years later felt super special.
How did the recording time in Berlin happen? Must of been pretty cool!
Berlin seemed to happen so quickly! The opportunity arose to go over there and do some recording. After a hectic 2019 I think we all welcomed the change of scenery and culture! It opens up your eyes to a new way of living. It almost feels like a fresh start and I know we’re all super motivated and inspired so long may that continue!
The opening of ‘Movies and Shapers’ is so mint, how did this song come about and was that drum intro part of the original idea or come later?
If I can recall I think the bongo intro came later afterwards! It was such a long process getting this song together in general. The idea initially came from just the chorus riff. We knew that it had something cool however we couldn’t seem to piece it together with a verse for ages, so it was just sat in the works waiting for the call up. When it came to the album we decided we had to use that idea somehow and so we’re determined to get a good arrangement! Then Jake’s little bongos was the cherry on the icing.
You guys were nominated for Best Live Act alongside IDLES and DMA’s at the Association of Independent Music Awards, how important is the life experience for you guys?
To have just been nominated amongst the in total 50 artists or whatever was something we’d never experienced before. It was a proper surreal moment, and then when we found out we got down to the last 5 it was crazy! Then to attend the awards, we obviously milked the whole thing. Prepping our victory speeches like the naive lads we are. Of course Eurasia we’re going to win! Didn’t stop us from making a night of it though, a good laugh!
‘Don’t Panic’ was the first single of this year, is this leading up to album 2 or? What was it like writing after the debut record?
I’m not at liberty to say just yet what the plan is with these new tracks but what I can say is that we’ve got some pretty cool things coming up!
It was super nice, like I touched on earlier, being in a new environment without the distraction of live gigs allowed us to really focus and hone in on what we wanted the new stuff to sound like. I think we all had in our minds where we wanted to take the new stuff. We knew there was so much more in the tank from the first album so we approached the writing with a real excitement.
And now the recent single ‘Do Right’, has such a great riff in it and is a great representation of your sound. How did this track and in particular the catchy chorus come about?
The initial idea came from Rob when he was in South Africa over new year. He spent some time with Jeremy Loops and I think (without speaking for him) was a big reflection period for Rob in some ways. When he presented us the idea it was an instant hook, we loved the chorus and then the song developed from there really with the addition of the intro flute riff.
Despite lockdown, does the band have anything planned? Hope you guys and are all safe and well!
The plan is more of the same! Keep writing, keep releasing. Like everyone else, the live calendar is looking pretty bare haha. So hopefully we’ll just practice loads and get really good when the time for live comes around again! We’re all good, hope you’re safe and well too.
Big thanks to Cassia for answering our questions and make sure to check their new single out ‘Drifting’!
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