The new interview with the amazing singer Cassie Farrar! She's just share her new video and accept this interview.
Her website:
http://cassandrafarrar-leftbrains.tumblr.com/
Hi Cassie and thank you for the interview. Cassandra Farrar is your real name?
Hello! Yes, thanks for the interest in doing so! Yes, my real name (and stage name) is Cassandra Farrar. Cassie is my nickname and what most people refer to me as.
Where did you grow up?
Good ol' San Francisco, CA.
How long do you play music and how did you get started?
Jeez... I believe I was 12 when I first started playing guitar, but I was always singing before that. So I've been playing for 12 years now, crazy!
I had a guitar class that was mandatory in 4th grade. So all the kids had to go out and buy guitars! It was about ~40 students and 1 teacher so you can imagine how crazy that was. Not sure how I caught on, but I did, and I really enjoyed it. The class wasn't so successful so it only ended up being for just a semester I believe, but I continued to teach myself after that.
Have you studied music or did you learn on your own?
The only "formal" training I've had with the guitar are those classes I had in the 4th grade. I think the most I learned in that class was just a couple chords. The rest I taught myself through Michelle Branch chord books and stopwatches to make sure I learned things "fast enough"! I contemplated majoring in music when college came around but I decided against it. I love music, but I also love science.
Is your family members are musicians?
Yes and no. I would say my family is artsy, but we're not all musicians. My cousin is an actress and she sings live theater. My uncle is a luthier (makes guitars) so we had some of his guitars laying around the house. He plays incredibly well, too! I actually learned how to play on a guitar he made. And my mom is an artist/painter. I think we are a creative bunch!
Which famous musicians do you admire and why?
I think my musical influences have definitely evolved over the years. But the first artists I ever truly admired were (and still are) Jewel and Michelle Branch. Right now I'm very much into Kacey Musgraves.
Jewel and Kacey very much have a fantastic way with words and they can stand alone. I think that's what is very inspiring to me right now- having words that can tell a story even without the music backing it. So when the music is joined with it, the final piece is very strong.
What is your favorite album/singer ever?
Ever? This is a tough question. Just with the way things are going right now I think I'm going to say Kacey Musgraves. I had only recently discovered her on the Grammys but have not listened to an album from start to finish repeatedly the way I do with hers in a long time! This is, of course, with the exception of any Britney Spears album!
How many songs have you recorded and written?
There is a huge discrepancy between the number of songs I've recorded and the number of songs I've written! Hopefully someday I can catch up! I've recorded two full length albums, and wrote all of those songs. I've probably written about 300 songs in my lifetime.
How many albums?
Two! I recorded a solo album in high school with the help of my music teacher at the time. The whole album is a live recording, because at the time I knew no different. The next album is the first with my band, The Left Brains, and it was a different experience entirely. It's really enjoyable to have a collaborative project with your own music because it's so personal to you, and everyone else enjoys it and is contributing to the final product.
Can you describe your music?
When people ask me to describe my band I say "folk-funk". Because for whatever reason, some "twang" or "folk-ness" slips in, but I'm backed by my hip hop, punk and rock inspired band members. When we come all together it's a little bit folk, and a little bit funk. Lyrically, I enjoy being honest with a hint of wittiness and realism.
You released your last full-length LP 'Hello My Name is...' with "the Left Brains". Why this name and who are they?
The Left Brains have been music partners and friends of mine for a while before we had even decided to become a band. My drummer, Chris, owns a studio and indie label, Hyper Raje Records, and I met him back when I was 17 or so. But I heard of him when I was doing my first solo album and was hoping he'd like me for his label. I met him when a guy I was dating at the time was recording in his studio, and Chris sat me down and told me he would love to work with me!
I'd go into the studio and just play and record my songs and he had his friend, Dave, come and sit in on the sessions. Dave plays the guitar and would always tell me how cool it would be to play together. So I guess a couple years later we finally decided to get together, Chris, Dave, and myself, but we needed a bass player.
My only formal request for this band thus far was that we have a stand-up bass player. Chris and Dave both knew the same guy, Sean, through work and so they asked him to jump on board. We've been a band ever since!
When it came time to naming the band I knew I'd want a science influenced name. Everyone knows that I love science as much as I do music, and often times it is reflected in my music. A lot of people know the right side of the brain to be the creative side and the left side to the be the technical side. I had read this article that said trained musicians use both sides of their brain whilst playing, but more so the left because they're so technical and precise. I thought the Left Brains was a good name for my band because they are all trained and musicians in the sense that most people perceive them to be- can improvise, play by ear, read music, all that stuff. Me? Sadly I cannot do any of that, so I'm the right side of the brain who writes the tunes, lyrics, and melodies! So when we come together we are not only a band, but a fully functioning brain!
What are the qualities that you look for in your band?
I think because I'm not so technical or at all professionally trained, I really craved band members who can just hop along for the musical ride so to speak. I didn't end up auditioning anyone of the band- it just worked. When I come in with new songs I just play it for them once or twice, and the by the next time I play it they join in already with their respective parts. I don't tell them what to play, what I am playing, or what key I'm in or anything- they just know. And that's exactly what I need! I think it's a great organic process and we certainly bounce ideas off of each other before we get a groove going. But each member's part is the direction they were pulled musically, not something that was specifically written for them.
Can you tell us more about the next CD?
It is still very much in the preliminary process right now. But there are a lot of "new" songs the guys and I have down solid but they aren't recorded yet. These are definitely songs we want to record and play around with! I am sure the direction of the next record will be similar to the first, but more mature. I really want to play around with the idea of a conceptual album.
I remember the preparation of the new video few months ago, why did you wait so long?
The music video? It has been a long, long journey! I think when you see the final product you, and everyone else, will completely understand why the production took the amount of time that it did. This isn't your typical indie-two shot-live performance-music video. This is a full on production with costumes, sets, "stunts"- everything! I was actually supposed to have a stunt double but I decided against it! It's going to be great. It will give a whole new meaning to the song, "Moving Out".
Who helped you to make this video and how did you get the idea to make it?
There were SO many people who helped make this video possible. Firstly, our producer, Shahla Motamedi, got the ball rolling and kept the ball rolling throughout this whole process. She's the one who made all the connections and set everything up, but if it wasn't for Sean, my bass player, we wouldn't have ever met her! She is his mom!
Secondly, Guerilla Wanderers Films! They are the ones who worked on this video from day one. Specifically the director, Sean McCarthy, and his vision. I'm really happy to have had someone who envisioned the song the way he did and to execute it so successfully. The treatment he came up with for this video is exactly what I wanted and I think it also reflects my personality not just a person, but as a musician.
In this video we perceive you without your glasses, it is very rare. Do you prefer glasses to contact lenses?
Haha yes! Here's a secret... there were no contact lenses... I was just kind of blind! I actually don't wear contact lenses at all! I only had my glasses off for a lot of shots because of a particular scene where wearing glasses was not ideal... (you'll see!) For continuity, the glasses were not worn for the rest of the shots that followed, but I do still wear my glasses for other shots. I insisted!
How long are you wearing glasses?
As a child, I always wanted glasses, even when I didn't need them. I would try to stare at the sun or sit too close to the TV deliberately just so I needed them! I didn't end up getting glasses until I was a sophomore in high school. But even then my doctor said I didn't really need them... but my vision has gotten worse since then, haha!
Is my blog unconsciously influenced you?
You know I've never noticed how many girl musicians there are who wear glasses! Apparently it's a thing! If anything, it's influenced me to get a unique pair of glasses! I'm actually looking for a new pair right now!
What do you think of this blog and have you discovered some singers?
I think it's a great showcase for a lot of great musicians. I've definitely watched some videos you've posted. It's crazy to think of the amount of new talent there is in the world.
I discovered your music through youtube, you was posting videos every week but now, is rare. Are you too busy?
Ah yes! When I was in college, coming home to my guitar and writing songs was my saving grace. Since I wasn't out playing as often as I'd like, being able to share my songs online was also great for me. Right now, not only is my camera broken, I have a full time job and have moved in with my boyfriend. I am incredibly busy despite not being in school. I've also learned that there is so much less drama outside of school so I haven't had anything to complain about in a song! Haha! Right now all I can really pump out are love songs so I'm really pushing myself to think outside the box. But who knows... I will be going back to school and I just may be posting more often!
What's your others hobbies?
Yoga! I love yoga so much. I'd say that is my main hobby right now other than music. I would also have to say my other hobby is learning and just being in school and exercising my mind.
Can you give us the main links to find your music?
Totally!
"Like" us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/cassandrafarrar.leftbrains
Download "Hello My Name Is..." on iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-my-name-is.../id399187815
Purchase a copy from CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cassandrafarrar2
Are there any plans for a tour in the future?
I hope so! We've definitely talked about it, especially once the music video is released. Not sure where we will be headed but I definitely love to tour one day!
What's next step for you now?
The next step is to release our music video, "Moving Out"! You can check back for that on March 16, 2014. We can't wait!
