by shelly decaigny
photo courtesy of cassidy louis
With the release of her new EP, Technicolor, Cassidy Louis provides a peaceful yet empowering experience for her listeners. Cassidy connects with her fans through the human experience. She discovers inspiration in life, love, and learning to navigate through it all. Even in her darker days, she finds strength and value in herself, which provides a common thread in her songs for the listener to latch on to. Her positivity and emphasis on being enough are a welcome breath of fresh air during these trying times. We had the opportunity to learn more about Cassidy Louis, a talented and thoughtful storyteller with a love for adventure.
Your music has such an emotional and soothing sound. How would you describe your latest EP, Technicolor?
Cassidy: “I wrote Technicolor as a love letter to love itself in the form of a chronological narrative. Like all of my releases and performances, it tells a story — from the beginning magic of a relationship to the near end. The entire EP serves as a sort of memento for a specific time in my life when I was experiencing the relationship that inspired these songs, so the process itself was very emotional for me to go through. It was quite literally an instance of me pouring my heart out onto a piece of paper, and I think that’s what makes it so intriguing and relatable to listeners. They are able to see a bit of their own heart in my art, whether they’re experiencing that vibrant kind of love depicted in ‘Technicolor’ or the disrespect felt in ‘Temple.’ Technicolor, as a whole, acts as a physical, sonic representation of love and all that comes with it, and I hope it can serve as a comforting spot for my listeners to land on.”
You describe creating music as a way to process your feelings. When did you realize the power of musical expression?
C: “Writing has always been a huge form of expression for me — I used to write little novels growing up in addition to songwriting — but I think it really became a sort of lifeline for me once I got to college and really started to get a full love-life experience. It was the first time that I became involved with guys on a deeper, romantic level, although it wasn’t the first time that I experienced disrespect or that I felt my voice wasn’t being heard. However, around this time I started messing around with digital audio processing, so I bought myself a mini midi keyboard and translated my emotions and my experiences into my first EP, The Beginning. It felt good to tell my story and finally feel like I was really being heard (especially when the person I wrote the songs about told me he listened to them), and it’s become a crucial cathartic experience for me ever since.”
Your fans can find inspiration in the way that your lyrics promote empowerment and “being enough.” Tell me more about the impact you wish to have on your listeners.
C: “I’ve had my dark days and my own experiences feeling like I wasn’t enough and never would be. I never want my listeners to feel that way, so I strive to use my music on a connection basis. I want to use the inherent power of music to reach out to people who listen to my songs and let them know that they are not alone and that they are so totally enough just the way they are, and who they are is absolutely beautiful.”
The past few months have been challenging for people in the music industry. How have you been able to find positivity and adjust the way that you are doing things in both your career and your personal life?
C: “I’ve definitely had my ups and downs, as I’m sure the rest of the world has. I’ve been stuck in many a rut, but I’ve also found opportunities in these strange times, too. Being a recent college grad, I’ve never had more time to focus on my music career than I have during this period. I’ve also been able to try new things, like co-writing, and meeting new people virtually — something I haven’t had time to do before. While it can be easy to feel hopeless throughout this, I definitely think there are silver linings. I’m trying my best to focus on those.”
Are there other artists who you would like to collaborate with, and why?
C: “YES — Kacy Hill and Kiana Lede!!! I absolutely love their sounds, and I feel like the messages in their music is similar to mine, as well as my intention and my mantra behind my writing.”
What are some of your favorite songs to sing along with when you are driving in your car with the windows down?
C: “Right now I’ve been listening to folklore on repeat with the rest of the world — specifically ‘august’ because it has the perfect vibes for driving around in the New Orleans sunshine with the windows down. Some of my other favorites are ‘Waiting for You’ by The Aces, ‘You Never Knew’ by HAIM, and ‘I Know a Place’ by MUNA.”
Speaking of driving, do you prefer road trips or traveling by airplane?
C: “I love both, but I have fond memories of summer road trips with my parents growing up. Over summer break, we would try to travel to different parts of the country and visit as many states as we could, so I’ve been to 42 out of 50 states!”
If you were planning a dream vacation where would you go?
C: “Lately I’ve been dreaming about Europe and backpacking through a few different countries, like Greece, Spain, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, etc., etc.! I’ve been lucky enough to visit England, Scotland, and France before, but I’d love to go back.”
What advice would you give to girls and young women who have dreams of a career as a singer-songwriter?
C: “In my experience, it’s been easy to compare myself to other amazing ladies in the industry and feel discouraged. As women, we are taught from a young age to compare ourselves to ideal versions of women in our society and to each other, shaming us if we are anything less than perfect. And it’s so incredibly hard to get rid of that mindset, but I have found that my songs are so much better when I focus on what my heart is telling me to say and produce than to what I’m hearing externally. So please, don’t give up. The world needs to hear what you have to say.”
photo courtesy of cassidy louis
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
C: “I think at 13, I had already developed a strong sense of self, so I’m proud of how unapologetically myself I have been since a young age (thank you Leo sun). However, like most teenagers, I struggled with body image issues. Honestly, I still do. I wish I could unlearn that certain bodies are good and others are not. I want my younger self to know that so I could know that now. Nobody’s body is perfect in their eyes, but everybody’s body is perfect just because it is inherently — that’s how the universe, God, or whatever you believe in made us.”
What makes you most excited for the future?
C: “I’m excited for the good days that haven’t come yet. I’m excited for the places I haven’t gone yet but will. I’m excited to meet the people I’ve yet to meet. I’m excited for the new songs I’m going to write. I’m excited because the future has so many opportunities waiting for me, and I can’t wait to discover them.”