Interview with Cassie Fireman

Cassie has always had a deep love for people and music but it wasn’t until her mid 30’s that she pursued singing professionally.

Cassie’s musical journey is a serendipitous adventure of discovery, empowerment, joy and fear. Growing up constantly on the move, she found stability through exploring her own creativity, immersing herself in writing and the performing
arts.

What is your creative process like?

My creative process looks like someone came inside and tried to rob my house. Seriously, I can’t help but make lots of little messes ( in every room).

Like a 5 year old dumping out toys but instead, there’s paper with lyrics EVERYWHERE, the costume and magic box comes out and by the time my husband comes home I’m wrapped in feather boas, a top hat and somehow, in the middle of all the madness, I’ve written a song.

I think if my creative process were an animal it would probably be a squirrel running around trying to remember where she hid the nuts. Kinda all over the place but also ok with it because I trust my own kooky organized chaos.

Who would you most like to collaborate with? Gosh, there are so many but the one to pop in my head first is Rising Appalachia. They are two sisters who have this beautiful dynamic when they play and sing on stage. Also, they are always collaborating with really cool world musicians so the sound is just so full and unique. My band also played at the Grassroots Festival where I first saw them years ago. I’m a big fan of how they design their echo tours and focus on slow movement music which is all about learning how to slow down and savor the moment and the world keeps speeding up.

PHOTO CREDIT Andrew Gruber — Photo Credit: Andrew Gruber

If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?

Tori Amos, Florence and the Machine, Bailen, Ani Difranco.

Are you finding the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or is it hindering the experiences about which you can write?

Both. Wow. Great question. Right now, I feel like things are starting to bloom again and people are coming together. I think the pandemic gave me an opportunity to kind of go into the dark and check out what in my heart wanted to surface.

This album is pretty personal and came out of quite a bit of pain and self reflection but now that I’ve sort of crawled out from the hole, I’m really craving writing, jamming and collaborating with other humans and can’t wait to start playing out again.

In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What is the secret to making yourself noticed?

I think the secret to getting noticed is to not care so much about getting noticed but rather focus on embracing and nourishing your own personal connection with music.

Making music provides me with relief, a platform to express myself and a way to connect with people on a deeper level in a short amount of time. I love that.

Ultimately, what keeps me on top of my game is to NOT think about the music industry or competition but rather on the gift of just being able to create music in the first place.

When people are lit up doing what they love, it’s magnetic and we gravitate toward it. We all want a piece of that high vibe pie!

PHOTOCREDIT Leila Pages — Photo Credit: Leila Pages

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Absolutely, but mostly the bath! I love bath time. I play different beats and riff over them and makeup songs. Every now and then I come up with something good but I haven’t figured out how to record any of it. Lol.

You are a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?

The blue green one that kinda looks like tropical water. I’ve always loved that color. ( If the crayon box didn’t already have this color that is).

Do you have a cherished childhood teddy bear or other stuffed animal sitting on your bed at home?

I have this old scrappy dog stuffed animal. I think my grandma gave it to me like 30 years ago. When I met my husband I later realized that he too, had the same stuffed animal (from 30 something years ago). It was a little creepy but also kinda cool. Now we can’t tell them apart. My guy is propped up in my closet so I see his face each time I go to get dressed. I feel guilty leaving him there but I think he’s ok.

What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?

Ok, I’m digging these questions. Pasta! Lady and the Tramp style. Lots of garlic.

What would be a good theme song for your life?

Cassie Explain it All (like Clarrisa Explains it all) and I would wear all the 90’s gear.

Would you rather be the one in a movie who gets the hero/heroine or the baddie with all the good lines?

These days I just wanna be the baddie with all the good lines 🙂

What makes you nostalgic?

Hanging clothes on the line with my grandma.

If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?

Will I ever have kids and what will that feel like in 10 years if I don’t?

Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?

A dragon because it’s already a dinosaur that can fly AND breathe fire.

If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?

Well, I speak Spanish which means I’ll never be able to learn Portuguese so I choose French.

What do you think the greatest invention has been?

Vacations

Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?

Yep. I have a key chain of my horse’s (Beauty) hair on my cowboy boots that I tie on before each performance. She’s really special and has taught me a lot.