Hey Cassidy, congratulations on the release of your debut full-length album “New Sensation”. Can you take us back to the beginning of this musical journey and share how the idea for this album came about?
C: Thank you. This album is kind of like a diary for me. It all started back when I began High School. My dad taught me how to play the guitar and I began singing at home (for fun). Slowly, slowly I started to improve and even though many of my original songs were very basic (and not very good), my dad always encouraged me. I wrote most of my songs about personal experiences.
When did you first get interested in music, what are your main influences, and when did you decide to go into it professionally?
C: I always loved music. My parents played music at home all the time and I would naturally sing and dance along. There’s no peer pressure when you’re really young so I didn’t really know what was popular in the mainstream. My dad exposed me to anything from Rick Springfield through to Prince and Dio. “Good songs will always be good songs, no matter the genre”, my dad would say. I began to understand song structures and the importance of catchy hooks at an early age. By the time I was eighteen years of age my favourite artists included Rick Springfield, Pat Benatar, Heart, Dokken, Vixen, Halestorm, Pink and Avril Lavigne. Even though I had played some live shows during High School I made the decision to give music a proper go at the age of eighteen.
As a guitarist and vocalist, how would you describe the evolution of your musical style and sound from your early days to the creation of “New Sensation”?
C: I think I just improved as time went by. I refined my songs and became a better singer through lessons and practice. There’s always going to be people who try and knock you down (I got bullied in High School), but it kind of made me stronger and more determined to succeed. So, a lot of the “New Sensation” album is a snapshot of my life up until now.
Singer & songwriter Paul Laine (The Defiants, Ex Danger Danger) has been a significant influence and mentor in your musical career so far. How did your collaboration with him come about, and how did it shape the creative process of “New Sensation”?
C: My dad played guitar in Paul Laine’s band and when he was on tour in Australia he stayed at our house. He’d often sing songs with me. My dad has a video of Paul singing a Taylor Swift song with me when I was twelve. He always encouraged me and mentored me in regards to songwriting and vocals. “New Sensation” features a few collab. songs with Paul. Some of these include “Song for the Broken Hearted”,” Like I Never Loved You” and “Stand”.
Are there specific artists, albums, or life experiences that served as key inspirations for the songs on this album?
C: As mentioned I got bullied in High School, so I hit up Paul if he could help write a song about what I was going through. The song “Stand” is about standing up for yourself. It’s a positive spin on a negative life experience. I wrote a song called “Searching for a Hero” on my own. It’s a song about belief and the importance of positive role models when things are quite grim.
Given your prowess on the guitar, can you share some of your guitar influences and how they might have influenced the guitar work on “New Sensation”?
C: I’m a rhythm guitar player. I’m not a lead player or guitar virtuoso. I prefer to use guitar as a tool for my songwriting.
Walk us through your creative process when writing and composing the songs. Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments that stand out?
C: Songwriting can be very up and down. Some songs can be easy to write, yet others can be painful to write. Each song is unique. I tend to jot down notes in my phone that serve as ideas for songs. Sometimes it may be a lyric and sometimes it might be a melody. I remember pulling over on the side of the road last year and I sang a melody into my phone. It ended up being a pivotal part of the song “Rock ‘n’ Roll Hearts”.
Album artwork and visual representation often play a crucial role in conveying the mood of an album. Can you tell us about the visual storytelling behind the album cover and how it complements the music?
C: This album is a diary or snapshot of me at the age of twenty. I guess the cover art reflects this. I really like how the Frontiers team put their own spin on it.
The title “New Sensation” is intriguing. What does it signify, and how does it encapsulate the essence of the album?
C: “New Sensation” can mean anything. It’s not necessarily about me. People like to look at things in different ways. I remember hearing the song “New Sensation” by INXS a little while back and thought what a great title.
Do give us a hint for each track…
C: “Danger”: About a relationship that you know isn’t going to work but you still go there.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Hearts”: Two flames beating as one.
“Here I Am”: Reflecting on a relationship.
“Walking on Fire”: When you want someone more than they want you.
“On the Bright Side”: Always looking at the positive.
“Song for the Broken Hearted”: Relationship breakup.
“Searching for a Hero”: Looking for that positive role model.
“Like I Never Loved You”: Aftermath of a relationship.
“Stand”: Standing up for yourself.
“Addicted”: When you lust for someone.
“Midnight Desire”: As above…
Where did the recordings take place and who is responsible for the production, the mixing and the mastering? What has changed in the way you recorded and what do you think of the final outcome?
C: The vocals and guitars were recorded in Australia and the drums, bass and keys were recorded in Italy at Alessandro’s studio. Alessandro Del Vecchio mixed and mastered the album. He did an amazing job!
What was the experience of working with Steve Janevski (guitars), Dave Graham (guitars), Alessandro Del Vecchio (bass, keyboards, guitars, backing vocals), Mirko De Maio (drums), Dave Graham (guitars), and Paul Laine (backing vocals)? Who suggested the musicians, and how do you feel about collaborating with them on your debut?
C: The experience was fantastic. Alessandro and Mirko did an amazing job laying down the drums, bass and keys. Dave and my dad (Steve) also did a great job recording the guitars. I was very lucky to have such great musicians record on my debut album.
Frontiers Music is known for its diverse roster and support for emerging artists. How has your experience been working with Frontiers Music on the release of “New Sensation”?
C: Frontiers Music has been excellent. I have nothing but nice things to say about them.
“New Sensation” marks a significant milestone in your career. What are your aspirations and goals for the future, both in terms of your musical journey and personal growth as an artist?
C: I am extremely excited about the future. It feels great to have my debut album out and I’m very excited about the future. I’m looking forward to touring the album as much as possible and getting to as many markets as possible.
You’ve already performed several live shows in the UK. How did you feel about this experience? Are there any plans to do more shows in 2024, and what can fans expect from your live shows?
C: It was my second tour of the UK in one year. The response was great but I’m looking forward to building on the work the band and I have put in. What can people expect at my live shows? We try and put on a show. We like to rock out with the audience so it often becomes a hot and sweaty gig.
Time for our “strange questions”!!! Do you think that the streaming services have helped the band and music business in general?
C: There’s pros and cons. On the one hand it’s great to be able to get your music out there to a larger audience, but I don’t think artists are being paid fairly by many of these streaming services.
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
C: I’m quite old school. I like buying the hard product of music eg. CDd and Vinyl. Some people prefer to store music on their phone. Each to their own.
Are “social media” a “compulsory part” of music biz these days or bands, artists & labels can do without them as well?
C: The music industry has changed so much. I think it would be pretty hard if an artist doesn’t do social media.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words:
C: Rockstar: Paul Stanley
Rock & Roll: Real music
Eurovision: I haven’t really followed it
Music Realities: I haven’t really watched them
Fill in the phrase… “Rock music wouldn’t have evolved the way it did, if it hadn’t been for…”
C: KISS. Their larger than life show will always be amazing.
Which is the composer/songwriter who influenced rock music the most?
C: I’d probably say John Lennon (The Beatles)…
Which do you consider to be the best male & female vocalist in rock/metal history?
C: Ronnie James Dio is my favourite male singer and Ann Wilson (Heart) is my favourite female singer.
Which is that band that you’d like to be part of (any time & era)?
C: Heart!
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
C: Def Leppard’s “Hysetria” is my all-time favourite albums. The songs, performances and production are amazing.
If you had the opportunity to invite any musician, living or dead, to play on your album whom would you choose and why?
C: I would choose Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy). I adore his vocal melodies. They were very original.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
C: Def Leppard – “Hysteria”. It’s amazing!
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
C: People are always saying that I’m an old soul and that I should have been part of the eighties, so I guess my answer must be the 1980’s.
If you were a fictional character from a classic novel, who would it be, and how would that character’s traits be reflected in your music?
C: Wonka from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. I’m a bit out there and often have crazy ideas. I like being loud and proud.
Cassidy, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with Grande Rock about your debut “New Sensation” and your musical journey in general. We look forward to witnessing your continued growth as an artist. Best of luck with your future endeavors. As we conclude our conversation, would you like to share some final thoughts or a message with your fans?
C: Thanks for your thoughts. Please follow me on my socials, here.
