Sexuality. Mental Health. Consciousness. These are some of the meta themes that run through the music of flamboyant indie-rocker 'Sail Cassady' who hails from Victoria, BC. Like a queer-friendly The National, with a dash of Lou Reed, their debut album ‘Juniper’ documents the torture and delights of the artists own grueling process of self-discovery, and gives you a glimpse into the subterranean realms of the Sail Cassady consciousness. “Lusting you, You’re lusting me, Lusting you, Against the tree..” Leather Shoe Lovers ‘Juniper’ was self produced along with Bob Gronotte (JP Maurice, Stel, Towers and Trees, and Hawk and Steele L, Tal Bachman) and will be out on Surkeus Records July 21st, 2023.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Sail Cassady. What made you want to become a musician?
I fell into becoming a musician partly due to boredom on a small acreage in Metchosen, BC. My Grandma had an old upright piano and it was there I discovered peace, and true escapism. It was positioned perfectly in the house so no matter where I went I had to walk by it, which meant incredibly long procrastination tangents lost in an adventure of my choosing.
Who helped you most in your musical journey?
I can’t say only one person helped me most but I can say their are many eras in which certain people were my beacons. My Grandma was the first one. As she had me in music classes at the conservatory as a child. Then I would say a true hero in how I see music is and was a jazz musician named George Essihos. He taught me how to play from the heart and not too much from the brain. He also encouraged me to compose my own music which launched this whole thing. Thanks George… Grandma…
Your latest release is 'Hiding In Vancouver'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Hiding in Vancouver is more of an umbrella song in the sense of what going to a big city you love and fear feels like. I have discovered so many parts of myself, like peeling layers of an onion, by simply walking the streets of Vancouver and experiencing the freedom people truly have to wear, and be who they really are. Nothing shocks anyone really. True self expression is at its peak. And that let me expose the vulnerabilities of who I truly am. Helped me practice being the real me so that whenever I came home you saw a little more of everything. The unusual thing I would say that happened is how many people picked up on my personal discoveries peppered in the lyrics. I actually thought the lyrics were quite vague.
What social issues are you most passionate about?
Socially I’m passionate about true morality. It’s hard for me to trust a screen for any truth or social commentary. Even when important moments are achieved someone is obscuring it to fit their particular narrative and I can’t make heads or tails of any of it anymore. So I stick to what I can actually do in REAL life. I try to donate and work with charities. Truth and reconciliation with our indigenous families here in Canada is extremely important to me. But more actual work needs to be done. Not just sharing posts on your socials so you are perceived to land on the right side of history. True action. Have discussions within your community. Listen. Donate some money. Play a show that donates to these causes when you can. Mental health is also in crisis mode here and we need answers. Too many people are dying from drugs since resources are too expensive or out of reach to help the mind and the heart.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
Musical trends bore me. I’d rather find the antithesis to the trend and explore its relevance to ‘the now’. Also music for me is too big and dangerous to fit in a trendy box. Songs can effect people in beautiful ways and very dark ways. I liken it to spell work in magik. Careful what you cast as it can come back to you three fold. The industry remembers. Even if you feel irrelevant. Stay true to what you love and let your heart be the trend. Not some billionaire in a high rise studying algorithms on his spread sheets.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
My music is full of hidden meanings. That’s probably in the top five of my favourite aspects within songwriting. I like sneaking values and deep meaningful points in otherwise sweet sounding songs.
What’s an average day like for you?
Ha ha average days are about chasing the sun. Time moves quickly and I try and cram lifetimes within a day. Too much to do, see and feel. If my shadow grows big I get the feeling I’m losing the race and change course. Embrace the night and try to take in the evening. See what it has in store!
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
Fans are extremely important to me. If you get something I’m doing and It helps or moves you, I’m so graciously honoured and have so much love and space for you. I thank everyone out there who is looking for themselves in art. And I only hope to help or inspire in some way artistically ❤️
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I would say chasing the sun in life is one thing, but with making music or art, slow down. Take your time. Explore every part of what you are doing. Don’t allow the impatience of the industry to force you to put out a shitty version of you. Craft. Learn. I’ll butcher this saying from Tibet but it goes something like, ‘It’s not the transformation of the experiencer but the transformation of the creator that truly matters’. I love that because it’s your transformation first. Make sure you are moved and inspired first and don’t sell yourself short.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to chase the sun. Put lots more music out and have more lovely interviews that remind me of why I’m doing this over and over again ❤️ thank you Lost in the Manor.