1.Growing Up
So, I won’t tell you the first concert I ever went to or the first album I ever bought because they’re just embarrassing – especially for someone who loves the blues so much. My earliest memories of music are noodling on my grandad’s piano and the Nat King Cole songs he was always singing to me. I actually started playing sax at a young age and grew up playing in various big bands before I started singing: that’s where I started loving that jazzy, bluesy sound.
2.Inspirations
Big Mamma Thornton, Muddy Water: all the blues and New Orleans cats. But most of all I love C.W. Stoneking: he’s another Aussie out there killing it in the blues scene worldwide. All I need to do is put on his album and I’m inspired – the sound is so authentic and rustic. I want to do a duet with him so badly.
3.Your Band
I was lucky enough to meet my band at uni. They are the next generation of up-and-coming jazz and blues players coming out of Sydney and I’m so lucky to have them. I also met an amazing up-and-coming engineer while at uni, Antonia Gauci. I was lucky enough to have her mix my album He’s Whiskey In A Teacup at Studio 301. I’m so proud of that girl: keep an eye out for all her stuff.
4.The Music You Make
Two words: New Orleans! From the moment I stepped foot in that place I was home – and it’s not just the music. It’s the people, the food, the whole culture: it ignites my soul like nothing else When I’m singing blues and jazz or writing my music it all has a sprinkle of New Orleans in it, and it evokes a sense of nostalgia that brings me home.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
Honestly, I think there is a major lack of representation for artists who transcend the pigeonholes the Australian music scene has created, the ones who don’t necessarily fit the triple j mould. There have been a few venues pop up like Leadbelly that are opening the doors to the blues/ folk/rockabilly genres which is awesome, but it’s tough out there, especially in Sydney. I released an album which actually got more recognition in America than here – that’s kinda disappointing.
Cass Greaves performs at Leadbelly onThursday October 27.He’s Whiskey In A Teacupis available now on iTunes.
