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Interview With Indie-Pop Meets Soul-Rock Singer-Songwriter Casii Stephan

We sat down with Casii Stephan to discuss her latest single Without A Box and her upcoming EP Relationship Status, out later this summer. Casii opens up about her artistic journey, the challenges she’s overcome, her approach to promoting her music, thoughts on AI-generated music, dream collaborators, and more.

By Chris RoditisMusicngear Lead Editor

Chris Roditis, Musicngear: 'Without A Box' has been described as a folk-pop masterpiece and your most personal song to date. Can you share more about the inspiration behind this song and what it means to you?

I wrote it in 2015. I loved it back then. It just didn't connect for whatever reason. But now it's coming out and I couldn't be happier or prouder about it.

I wrote it after my first year in Tulsa. I had to let go of some things. The song was a challenge to me. I feel myself going on a similar journey again. Having to let go and well, I hope it helps other people.

I panic easily. I lose track of the bigger picture. And the message really is just breathe. Because you can still breathe. It's going to be okay.

Your upcoming EP 'Relationship Status' takes listeners on an emotional journey through different relationship statuses. Can you elaborate on what message you hope to convey through it?

For me, it's the message of not being alone. We all go through these emotional twists and turns in life and relationship status change is a big influence in that.

Through it all, we still have ourselves. No matter what. And who that is and who we hold onto, well that's the big question of our lives, isn't it? Who are we?

I hope people realize that no matter the status, you get to be you and not be defined by that status.

Having been involved in the music scene since 2016 and receiving accolades from platforms like NPR and Billboard, how has the recognition influenced your artistic process and career decisions?

I just try to keep creating the art I want to. I'm always curious to know when the creative muse will strike.

It's a journey and I'm not always a fan of that, but I'm working on it.

Find your center. And just keep going. I'm a believer that you land where you need to be

You started writing songs on your family piano at 16. Can you describe the evolution of your music gear from those early days to now, and how different instruments or technology have influenced your songwriting and production process?

Ha. Well, I play on more electronic keyboards than acoustic pianos at this point. But I'm a basic keys player. I don't like too many buttons or settings. I like to just play the piano.

It's why I started and it's the instrument that keeps me enchanted with writing songs.

You moved to Tulsa with the intent to give up on music but ended up continuing your career. What was the turning point that reignited your passion for songwriting and performing?

My friend turned manager is the big reason. She kept gently prodding me and I finally listened.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist, and what advice would you give to others who might be encountering similar struggles?

It's so hard some days. Mental health is a huge factor.

Find your center. And just keep going. I'm a believer that you land where you need to be.

In your upcoming EP 'Relationship Status' you recorded with Ben Tanner at Muscle Shoals. Can you tell us about the specific music gear or instruments you used during these sessions and how they contributed to the overall sound of 'Without A Box'?

So this song was one of those that I could hear going a few different ways. When we were in the studio, it really came down to a couple decisions for me. Ben might have a different perspective. Lol.

The first one was when Jay Burgess started playing the ambient guitar that you hear throughout the whole song. It kind of sounds like a drone and I think Ben layered some instruments over it, but it started with Jay and when I heard that I loved the combo of the folk beat that Spencer and Jon had with more of the indie feel from Jay's guitar. So I said, "Jay - can you start this track?" And we went from there.

The second part was the arpeggiation on the bridge. Ben heard that and had me record a bunch of different versions of it on different pianos he had in the studio. It was fun! I know he added organ and vibraphone as well. It's just really pretty. I wanted it to feel like the wind was circling you musically. And he captured it really well.

I want to feel the electricity of a band coming together and playing so well they feel like one organism. You can't get that with AI

Are there any artists that you would love to collaborate with? What draws you to their work?

Questlove is top. Just his sense of wonder and creativity is so inspiring. I would love to be in the studio with him any day.

Hans Zimmer as well.

With the rise of AI-generated music, what are your views on this development? Do you see it as a positive innovation, a challenge, or something else entirely for the music industry?

I just had a convo with a friend about this. I might be a little naive. I was concerned at first and now I'm not. I think it just helps amplify the artist more.

I think AI-generated art starts wearing on me. I want to be amazed by a human creating something. I want to connect with other people and look at what they did and what they experienced and engage with them. I want to feel the electricity of a band coming together and playing so well they feel like one organism. You can't get that with AI.

Again, I might be naive, but I feel like we need that connection, and sure robots are fun for a period of time. And some people may like that music better. But at the end of the day, it always comes back to finding your audience and connecting with people.

So here we go.

Connect with Casii Stephan
Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok / Spotify / YouTube / Website

Stay tuned for Casii Stephan's upcoming EP Relationship Status, set to release later this summer.

About Chris Roditis

Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.

Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@kinkl.com

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