I was like, “I’m going to do this. I’m going to try and be a musician.” I was playing shows, and I was in bands in college, but I was always really shy about it. It was always something I did on the side, because I felt like I needed to have a backup plan. But eventually, I realized I was never going to be happy unless I was doing music. I needed to take that leap of faith and fully commit to it. So, I moved to New York and started playing shows there, and then eventually made my way out to L.A.
What was the transition like, moving from Asheville to Los Angeles? How did that impact your music and your creative process?
It was a shock at first. I moved out here without a car, and L.A. is so spread out. I was used to the mountains and the woods, and suddenly I was in this city that felt so big and overwhelming. But it was also really exciting to be in a place with so many opportunities and so many people who are working towards similar goals. I’ve definitely been influenced by the people I’ve met out here and the music scene in L.A. There’s so much talent and creativity here, and it’s been inspiring to be a part of that community.
Working with Ryan Pollie on See It Fades, what was that collaboration like and how did it influence the sound of the album?
Working with Ryan was amazing. He’s such a talented musician and producer, and he really helped me bring my vision for the album to life. We worked really well together, bouncing ideas off of each other and experimenting with different sounds and textures. I think working with him definitely pushed me to explore new sonic territories and take some risks with my music. It was a really rewarding experience, and I’m so proud of the album we created together.
What do you hope listeners take away from See It Fades?
I hope that listeners connect with the music on a personal level and find something in the songs that resonates with them. I think this album is about the complexities of human emotion and the ways in which we navigate our own inner landscapes. I hope that people find a sense of catharsis or comfort in these songs, and that it helps them feel a little less alone in whatever they’re going through. Ultimately, I just hope that people enjoy the music and that it brings them some joy or solace in their lives.
What’s next for you after the release of the album?
Right now, I’m just focused on getting the music out there and sharing it with as many people as possible. I’m hoping to play some shows and maybe do some touring once things start to open up again. I’m also already thinking about the next album and starting to work on new music. I have a lot of ideas and I’m excited to see where they take me. I’m just really grateful to be able to make music and share it with the world, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.
” And I just felt so comfortable. I was like, “This is where I want to be.” I recorded most of the record there. I wanted to work with my friends – my band, my producer Zach, and Alex – and keep it really tight-knit. I wanted to stay close to the people I trusted. As a songwriter, I wanted to push myself. I wanted to write songs that I could feel in my chest. I wanted to be able to sing these songs live and feel them resonate in my body. I wanted to be able to write songs that were honest and vulnerable and true to myself.
What are some of the things that make you feel that way when you’re writing a song?
I think it’s a gut feeling. It’s a feeling like, “I can’t not write this song.” It’s a feeling of honesty and vulnerability. It’s a feeling of being able to express something that I can’t express in any other way. It’s a feeling of connection – connection to myself, connection to my emotions, connection to the world around me. It’s a feeling of release – of letting go of something that’s been weighing me down. It’s a feeling of empowerment – of taking control of my own narrative and my own voice. It’s a feeling of catharsis – of purging myself of negative emotions and thoughts. It’s a feeling of freedom – of being able to express myself in a way that feels true and authentic.
What do you hope listeners take away from See It Fades?
I hope listeners take away a sense of connection and understanding. I hope they feel seen and heard. I hope they feel less alone in their own struggles and emotions. I hope they feel inspired to be vulnerable and honest with themselves. I hope they feel empowered to take control of their own narratives and voices. I hope they feel a sense of release and catharsis. I hope they feel a sense of healing and growth. I hope they feel a sense of beauty and truth. I hope they feel a sense of wonder and awe. I hope they feel a sense of love and compassion. I hope they feel a sense of hope and possibility.
But I couldn’t. And when I met this person, it was like a light switch. I had never felt anything like that before. It was so slow, and I was so scared, but it felt so right. It was like a slow burn, and I was so used to feeling things so quickly and intensely. But this was different. It was like, “Oh, this is what it’s supposed to feel like.” And it totally changed my perspective on love and relationships. It made me realize that sometimes the best love is the slowest, the most patient, the most intentional. And that’s what ‘Rushin’ is about – it’s about taking the time to let love grow, to let it mature, to let it become something real and lasting. And I think that’s something that I’ve learned and grown to believe in, and it’s definitely influenced the way I approach my relationships now.
Durante mucho tiempo, todo era tan pesado y sombrío, y lo que enfrento, en términos de salud mental, intensificaba eso.
Luego hubo un cambio, de sentirme enojada y permitirme explorar esas explosiones emocionales. Surgió con ‘Touch’ – sintiendo que la persona con la que estaba no me reconocía o no quería levantarme más. Es una canción sobre intimidad física, pero era yo finalmente hartándome de eso. Conocí a alguien y finalmente superé mucho de esto – explorando y saliendo y volviendo a mi ser de mujer, conociéndola más – siento que aprendí más sobre el amor y sobre el amor propio, y esa lentitud es tan buena. ‘Love Slow’ es la única canción en el disco que trata sobre esta otra cosa, este pequeño destello de lo que viene después. Pero vaya, me tomó tanto tiempo aprender eso. Creo que por eso ahora, miro hacia atrás en este disco, y se siente tan juvenil, tan diferente de donde estoy ahora. Pero es una cápsula de dónde estaba. Ahora siento que estoy completamente al otro lado de eso.
¿Cómo sientes que ese destello se manifiesta a lo largo del disco, o ha crecido en tu vida ahora?
Creo que se ha traducido en confianza en uno mismo. Hay tantos temas de ansiedad a lo largo del disco, y creo que también hay un destello de sanación al final. Todas las personas que trabajaron en este disco me ayudaron a procesar lo que estaba pasando, incluso si no estábamos hablando explícitamente de ello, se traducía musicalmente. Mientras estaba mezclando con Alex, podía decir que lo entendía intuitivamente. Fue una confirmación de que las canciones siempre estarán aquí para mí, para ayudarme a entender la experiencia humana y mi vida. Es como si esa cuna siempre estuviera ahí para mí, y no falta de eso.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y condensada para mayor claridad y longitud.
See It Fades de Adriana McCassim ya está disponible.