aaamusic | On 22, Nov 2017

Who are you and where are you from?

I am Kasey Roar from the Heartland of the USA. I started playing music as a teenager. I went to college for a few years, then I started touring full-time in a metal band. That band lead me to another metal band and then I started a solo project. After that project faded out, I took some time off to work on songwriting and find myself in a new way… and here I am.

What inspired you to get into music?

I have been obsessed with music my whole life. When I was a child, I would often sit in my mom’s car in the garage amnd listen to music for hours. She had some 50s and 60s hit compilations that I loved. I would also listen to The Beach Boys and Elvis a lot. When I got older, I fell in love with the music of the 90s. Radiohead, Third Eye Blind, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Alanis Morissette, Oasis, Marilyn Manson, The Goo Goo Dolls, Sarah McLachlan, The Wallflowers, Matchbox 20, R.E.M., and The Red Hot Chili Peppers have remained some of my favourites. Some other favorites of mine are The Police, Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, The Rolling Stones, Deftones, John Mayer and The Zombies. Tom Petty, Jim Morrison and Bryan Adams have also heavily influenced my writing style.

What have you done?

“Cold Blooded” is my only release for this project so far. I will have a remix out for it soon & plenty of songs to follow. I’ve been recording for this project for a few years, so I’ve got songs lined up & ready to go. I’ve accomplished a lot with previous projects that I’m proud of. My favourite thing so far is tying an attendance record previously set by Elvis in a southern coliseum (twice). There were about 7,000 people at each show. I had a popular song on the radio in that area for a bit.

What are you like live?

I like keeping things chill and absorbing the moments. I love losing myself as I feel the connection with the crowd. It’s a magical thing. Music has the ability to bond people together, and I love being a part of that. I’ve toured all over the U.S. since 2007 (I’m hoping to get across the pond with this project). My favourite supporting slots have been on festivals. With so many artists & fans coming together, there’s a special kind of energy. I’ve had the honour of being on the same lineup as Motley Crue, Bruno Mars, Underoath, LMFAO, Andy Grammer, Lil Wayne and many more.

What makes you different?

I try to blend as many of my influences together as I can to create a timeless, universal sound with a hint of nostalgia. I hope people listen because the music affects them positively. Music has healing powers, and I hope my music can comfort anyone in need. In my writing now, I try to be very open with my struggles and emotions, because I know it can be relieving to know someone has gone through a similar struggle and made it out on the other side.

Physical vs Downloading vs Streaming…How do you listen to music?

I listen to and purchase music in all the ways listed. There will always be something special about physical copies of music. I enjoy collecting vinyl and looking/reading through CD booklets. Streaming makes music more discoverable though, so that’s always a good thing.

What have you been listening to?

Right now I’m listening to “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand” by Primitive Radio Gods. It has been a go-to of mine lately. I’ve also been listening to The Police frequently. For new albums, I’ve been listening to the latest releases from The 1975, Harry Styles, and Post Malone. For new songs, Cailin Russo put out two great ones this year (“September Rose” and “Hierarchy”), and “The Outfield” by The Night Game and “Hotel Pools$$ (Remix)” by Roy English & badhabit quickly became some of my favourites. I also discovered LANY this year. It has been cool to watch them grow.

What are your aspirations for the future?

I am currently prepping a few more singles and remixes to release leading up to an EP. I am also working on music videos to accompany the future releases. These are exciting times.

Questions answered by: Kasey Roar…