Cassidy Louis: "My Voice Matters"

Interview By Lauren Elizabeth Campbell, Editor-in-Chief

Cassidy Louis released her first fulllength album 'Crown' last year. Now she's back with a new EP 'Technicolor.' The NOLA artist explains how she found her voice:

What drew you to the music industry?

Music has been a huge part of my life since I was young. I've been singing since the age of 3, and I began songwriting at the age of 9. I honestly didn't think of it as more than a hobby until I reached college, where I realized it's more than a hobby - it's a lifeline. It's my purpose. It's what I'm meant to do. Freshly graduated, after four years during which I was fortunate to have a surplus of opportunities in a variety of industries, I have a lot of trouble seeing myself doing anything else with my life. One silver lining of COVID-19 is that I've had the chance to focus on my career more than I ever have, so that's definitely something I'm grateful for and excited about.

How would you describe your music?

I would say it's pretty pop, but with dark, moody, and indie elements and a heavy emphasis on narrative style. Every EP or LP I've released is a story told in chronological fashion, usually centering around romantic experiences. That being said, I write when I feel like my voice isn't being heard, and that doesn't just happen in romantic relationships. For example, my first full album, 'Crown,' details experiences I've had with romantic interests, as well as a falling out with a few old friends. I turned to songwriting to amplify my words so that people would finally listen to what I have to say in situations where they didn't. My songwriting has continued to stay true to this process since then. I want to use this platform that I've created to empower myself, as well as to empower my listeners, and also pretty much anyone.

What artists are you inspired by?

I'm honestly inspired by almost every song that I listen to. Well, at least the ones that touch me or impact me in some sort of way. There are some artists that have really influenced my sound, though. Those include MUNA, Kacy Hill, Lorde, BANKS, Lennon Stella, Taylor Swift, I’m not ashamed to admit that I've been a Swiftie since '06/'07, Amber Mark, and Carole King - I absolutely love these ladies.

What song of yours is your favorite?

I'm torn between two. The title song of my new EP 'Technicolor,' means the most to me. I'm really proud of this song because I think these are some of the greatest lyrics I've created so far, despite this song being really hard for me to write. I wrote this song after the fact about a romantic relationship I was in during the summer of 2019. It was the first time I really fell in love with another person. It was also the first time I really fell in love with myself. However, the relationship came to an end and it was really hard to come off that high. I wrote "Technicolor" on the downward slope, but I think I was really able to capture that whole experience in a personal way, but also in a general way as an ode to love in a more vast sense. On the other hand, "Over It" is probably my number one fan favorite, and it's also one of my favorites. It makes me feel good, like I'm taking up my space again and owning it. Personally, I would recommend it for a good post-break up dance session. I'm also proud of how the production of the song turned out. I think I learned a lot about digital audio workshopping through that process, and it's one of my best works for sure.

What should everyone be listening to?

Definitely depends on the listeners' moods! If you're feeling down about a breakup, a rejection, or just somebody treating you with disrespect, check out "Over It" or "Temple," and just dance it out. I think it's a good song to remind you of your worth, which can be hard to remember sometimes. If you're in a more romantic or chill mood, check out "Technicolor." I hope you love the production on that one as much as I do.

What is something you learned while making your first album?

My voice matters. And so does yours, as well as the voice of every human being on this earth. I learned that often we may forget how valuable we are or treated in a way that makes us believe otherwise - but it isn't true. Everyone is worthy and capable and beautiful and powerful in their own unique way. 'Crown' helped me to remember that. I hope my music can help you to remember that too.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I'm still trying to exercise my songwriting muscle every day. One of my mentors taught me that it's important to write a song every day, even if it sucks - which is hard for me to do as a perfectionist, so I'm still trying to master and practice that every day.

Additionally, in July I hired an amazing team of ladies who have been hard at work promoting the album in unique ways. Since we're not able to tour in a traditional sense, we're hosting a virtual tour via livestream. My band and I will be hosting down in New Orleans, but every two weeks we'll be teaming up with venues and artists across the country to bring y'all a taste of live music in an attempt to also raise money for those in the industry who have been impacted by COVID-19. Be sure to follow me for updates and tune in to every show, as they'll be different every time and offering unique raffles to viewers.