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Interview with
CASSIDY-RAE

(12th FEBRUARY 2023)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
I never decided growing up I wanted to be a musician. My family had a belief that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life and they encouraged me to always follow my heart and do what I love. That always just happened to be music. So from a very young age I chose music – from performing in the Australian Girls Choir nationally and internationally for artists and world leaders including the Pope in the Vatican, former President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Hugh Jackman and more, to writing my own songs as a young teenager and playing them on my keyboard at local wineries and RSL’s. It so happened that venues and club owners started offering me money to continue playing music and I never looked back. Nowadays, as an independent artist who is making a living from music, I choose it everyday.  I’m fortunate to play to perform around the world, at festivals and at residencies on board cruise ships sharing my original music.

Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style? 
I have memories of long car trips, windows rolled down, competing with my mum at who could sing louder, screaming at the top of our lungs along to Shania Twain and Faith Hill. I grew up admiring Taylor Swift and loving the way she connected with her fans, and sung their stories which were also her own. I loved coming home to my dad jibing to the Beatles or Michael Buble. So my tastes growing up were quite eclectic. It definitely influenced the way that I write – I wanted to share a story authentically – to connect through music and lyrics – not just numb out to a repeated beat. I wanted to have fun, to connect, to allow this ever-growing community that listens to my music to feel that it’s their story being shared; their voice is being heard.

How would you describe your sound? 
Contemporary country music – always focused on authenticity. What you hear in a recording is what you get on stage.

Why do you think people resonate with your music?
My belief is that when words fail, music speaks. I write from the heart. I write about life and love, relatable moments and stories. Stories that resonate with everyone in all walks of life. People can see themselves in the story so much so that my song is no longer mine – it becomes our song. I write to connect with my audience, not just sing AT them, but sing WITH them. I feel that people listen and can hear that in the songs.

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Your new single ‘Next Chapter’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
Inspired from heartbreak, this song is cheaper than therapy. Not all love stories are books, some are chapters. Once its finished, its time to turn the page and move forward onto the next chapter. I was trying to rewrite the same chapter again and again with the same result until I realised, writing this song, it was time to move on and write myself a better story.
Things we invest our emotion, our energy and our time into are always the hardest things to let go.
I believe when words fail, music speaks. This song is your best friend, reminding us to let go of the things that are no longer serving us to allow space for the things that bring us joy.
Those moments when you’re tempted to turn back and regress to something familiar, this is the voice in your head telling you all the good things are yet to come. You’re worth more than what you’ve left behind.
New Year, New Me, New Chapter. This is Next Chapter.

Do you have any more new music in the works?
Always! Actually, I’m doing something a little different this year…I’m inviting my community (and anyone who wants to join this community) to join me through the entire process of releasing a song – from the very start! I’m about to go into the recording studio to record and release “One More Song”, a song I wrote inspired by my audience who kept chanting for just One More Song. Anyone who wants to join the adventure, join the community!

Do you have any shows/tours coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
At all my shows, fans can expect Good Vibes and Good tunes on repeat. I’ll be heading off VERY SOON on tour as a resident on board Carnival Cruise Lines, sailing up and down the East Coast of Australia and the Pacific Islands and soon back over to the USA. I’m looking forward to sharing new music and singing along with the crowds.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
Taylor Swift. I mean, there are so many incredible artists that would be an absolute dream, but I’ve always been inspired by the way Taylor Swift entertains in her shows and connects with her fans. I’d love to be a part of that.

What’s next for you in the near future? 
New Music! More Shows! More Adventures!

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What are your longer-term aspirations? 
Performing sold out shows around the country to an audience that loves my original music.

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? 
I love hearing people singing at the top of their lungs, with pure joy, singing the lyrics of my songs back to me. Performing to hundreds of people every night on my residencies aboard cruise lines, to a crowd that have gone on vacation, learnt my song lyrics, only to come back the following night and sing them back to me so loudly that I can barely hear my own voice.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – constantly changing. Currently on repeat, Mitchell Tenpenny album, Jordan Davis Album, Taylor Swift Album and Seaforth Album.
Artist –constantly changing. Currently on repeat, Taylor Swift, Maren Morris, Seaforth, Mitchell Tenpenny, Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce. I made a Spotify playlist that includes all my favourites of who I’m listening to right now.
Movie –I’m terrible at picking just one favourite movie – there’s too many movies I like. I watch tv shows more than movies lately, when I’m working on my computer late at night. My family is watching Yellowstone currently, so I’m all up to date on that.  Also, Lainey Wilson was in Season 5 and I was cheering and singing along to the country songs!
Place to visit –The United States of America. Watch out Nashville!
Venue to play – Tamworth Country Music Festival or main stage of a cruise ship (big shows on big stages).
Food –   this is a hard one!!! It all depends. But I am a sucker for Italian or a pub feed.
Drink – Tea. Specifically, T2 New York Breakfast or Melbourne Breakfast Tea.
Person in History –  my mum – she’s my best friend – I’m inspired by her constantly. Admire her work ethic and her love and dedication to her family.
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have a tattoo, probably won’t get one – I’m not yet committed enough to a relationship let alone an artwork on my body for the rest of my life.

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Follow CASSIDY RAE
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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Press Release 27th January 2023 (below)

CASSIDY-RAE
launches into 2023
with her
‘NEXT CHAPTER’

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New Year, New Me, New Chapter. Kick off 2023 with the perfect song to start your next chapter. A contemporary country track that’s set to make 2023 the best year yet. Inspired from heartbreak, Cassidy-Rae hits all the right notes sharing relatable life lessons – let go of the things that are holding you back.  Written and produced by Michael Carpenter, feel empowered with “Next Chapter”, an upbeat, feel-good song reminding us to turn the page on the past.

Cassidy-Rae is moving from strength to strength – awarded Sutherland’s Entertainer of the Year, voted Best Female Vocal at the Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards, and continuing the #1 iTunes charting single streak with single ‘Lately’.

After returning from multiple well received performances at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival, this next chapter sees Cassidy-Rae sharing her music nationally and internationally on an exciting 3-week residency from 23rd February – 16th March visiting the east coast of Australia and the Pacific islands.

Maintaining popularity among fans and media alike, Cassidy-Rae constantly pushes the boundaries with every release, gaining placements on Spotify’s Fresh Country Playlist and Apple Music Playlists such as Aussie Country and Today’s Country.  This talented artist’s videos have premiered on Country Music Television, and she has continuously received support from Australian Country Radio, ensuring chart success on Countrytown’s Hottest 50 Chart.

With over 100,000 followers across social media, Cassidy-Rae continues to creatively connect with fans worldwide, performing and sharing her life through Live Streams – Sunday SitDown and Wednesday Night Lives every week.

As a graduate of the Country Music Academy of Australia, Cassidy-Rae is a powerhouse to be reckoned with, appearing at major events such as Tamworth Country Music Festival, Blue Water Country Music Festival, Ballina Country Music Festival, Basin Music Festival, Canberra Folk Festival, Outback Blacktown Country Music Festival and more.

Cassidy-Rae delivers vibrant, confident, and authentic performances from her guitar and keyboard.  Constantly a fan favourite with her positive attitude and larger-than-life stage presence, it’s not hard to work out why she has amassed such a loyal following that’s bound to stay with her for many years to come.

Cassidy-Rae’s new single ‘Next Chapter is out to radio and all digital platforms on Friday 27th January.

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AMNPLIFY – DB