“I wish people would listen to the lyrics as well as the music. I hope that is awakening now again in these difficult times and perhaps change our view of what is going on in the world, as well as here in the USA.”

Mary Ann Casale: Where I Belong

Mary Ann Casale is a talented singer and songwriter who specializes in blues and Americana music. Her goal is to perform for people from all walks of life. Each time Mary Ann sings, she evokes a vast array of emotions in her audience. Mary Ann has a voice unlike any other. Her unique sound makes her performances mesmerizing. Mary Ann Casale is an eclectic singer-songwriter who always delivers an honest performance. Her voice is rich, pure, and refreshingly melodic. Meanwhile, her guitar playing skills are defined by a deft fingerpicking style, which is reminiscent of one of her early and most revered influences—the Reverend Gary Davis. Mary Ann’s music may range from sultry jazz-blues to country blues—with tinges of rootsy folk and Americana—but it is always soulful.                                                           (Photo: Mary Ann Casale)

She is currently performing with Tas Cru in their duo,  Eclipse ~ The Mary Ann Casale & Tas Cru Acoustic Reverie. Also she performs with the Tas Cru band as backing vocalist. Tas and Mary Ann have co-written a number of songs and she assists in arranging as well as sings on his latest albums. New album titled “Where I Belong”, coming soon by Subcat Records, produced by Tas Cru. Exceptional writing and a heartfelt performance by Mary Ann Casale. A little blues, a little Americana, a little Latin; this album is a blend.

Interview by Michael Limnios                Archive: Mary Ann Casale, 2014 Interview

How has the music influenced your views of the world? How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?

 Since when I perform I do a mix of cover songs as well as originals, I feel that music that was written back in the late 60s and early 70s have lyrics that still have meaning today, especially in this country. There’s a lot of division and anger and hate right now. I feel that music sends a message to the world, to stop all of this and get along, but at the same time, stand up for your rights.

As a songwriter, ideas come from what is happening around me, raw emotions that I am feeling, and sometimes from a conversation from people I meet. Lately that has been a mix of feelings, love and laughter, and some sadness.

Currently you’ve one release with Joe Alper’s photo (early 1960s) with Bob Dylan, Suze Rotolo, and Lena Spencer (Lena Club, NY) in cover. How did that idea come about? 

That photo was taken of me in the green room at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY. It is the oldest folk coffee house in the US. Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger and other folk greats have performed there. I was lucky enough to join my music partner, Tas Cru, to host an acoustic blues night. It was a thrill to walk through those doors. I was just sitting there on the arm of the sofa (that was covered with guitars), waiting to go on, when Tas took the photo. This photo basically sums up my roots of folk, and at the same time doing a blues-based show.

“There is so much good music out there with a whole new generation of musicians performing! With YouTube and people doing home videos of their music, it is harder and harder. I use social media and I have a website. I’ll be streaming on all of the platforms when this project is completed.” (Photo: Marry Ann Casale at Caffe Lena and Joe Alper’s photo with Bob Dylan, Suze Rotolo and  Lena Spencer)

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Where I Belong?

The title song is one about travel. The feeling when I head out that door and go on the road. But also, it is about coming home. When I am home I can’t wait to get out there and perform, and at the same time, I’m always happy to come home. This was especially true when touring Europe. I kept saying to our road manager and promoter, “I really want to live here,” no matter what country I was in! It got to be a joke as we traveled, as I was picking out houses or farms where I wanted to settle down. Each song tells a story.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

I think the most life changing moment(s) happened on my first trip to Europe. Tas Cru and I played a few duo shows but also we played a number of shows with a full band. He decided to have musicians from Germany play with us. It was in that first rehearsal with these musicians that I realized that we all spoke the same language… music. It was then I also realized that they felt the emotions and the dynamics in the songs the same as we did. This was more than reading notes or listening to what we sent. We are more alike than different. It was pretty intense. It opened me up to being more welcoming to other musicians’ interpretation of what I had written.

I also believe these trips both cross-country and abroad were musical highlights in both my life and career. I’ve become a better musician, I’ve learned to live with the discomforts of the road, and I’ve learned to listen deeper to the stories people have told me along the way.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I would love for people to stop and listen. Not just download music off of the internet to listen as background music, but like I did when I was younger. I would lay on my bed with an album on the turntable and devour what was written on the album jackets! There is a lot of good material by singer/songwriters out there. I wish people would listen to the lyrics as well as the music. I hope that is awakening now again in these difficult times and perhaps change our view of what is going on in the world, as well as here in the USA.

“As a songwriter, ideas come from what is happening around me, raw emotions that I am feeling, and sometimes from a conversation from people I meet. Lately that has been a mix of feelings, love and laughter, and some sadness.“ (Photo: Mary Ann Casale & Tas Cru)

As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?

My music, especially this album (“Where I Belong”), does not fit into any genre. So, I find the only way to really see if it appealing to people is to play it live. I have had people come up to me and tell me their stories and all about how they felt like I was writing about them. When this happens, I know that I have done my job.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

It’s not easy. There is so much good music out there with a whole new generation of musicians performing! With YouTube and people doing home videos of their music, it is harder and harder. I use social media and I have a website. I’ll be streaming on all of the platforms when this project is completed.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music?

I’ve learned to listen. I’ve learned to not get in my own way. I’m enjoying co-writing and performing with Tas Cru both in a duo and with his band and that has made me a better guitar player, as it has opened me up to new styles, which are seen on this album. A little blues, a little Americana, a little Latin; this album (“Where I Belong”) is a blend. I’ve learned to take advice. I’ve learned to leave my ego at the door of the studio. I’ve learned that we are more alike than different and to embrace what other musicians, promoters, sound engineers have to offer. We are never to old to learn, and to adapt!

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(Photo: Mary Ann Casale)