Photo credit: Danny Adams (@killa.framez)
Makeup by Annie Mae Dawes @makeupbyannie
Hair by Rowan Ireland @rowanireland_creative
Styled by Chloe Oldridge @flofashionstyling
Cassa Jackson brand new single ‘Snakes And Ladders is out now on all streaming platforms.
What is the story behind your new single “Snakes and ladders”?
It’s a song about wanting to escape toxic surroundings and just wanting to be around people who lift you up and support you. It’s based upon my experience in the music industry and how sometimes it can feel like a ‘zero-sum game’, where people view it as in order for someone to be successful, someone else has to lose and I don’t think that needs to be the case. The imagery in the song is all based around playing a board game. The music industry can often feel like playing a game of snakes and ladders where one minute you feel that you are nearing the end goal and it can only take one wrong move (or signing the wrong contract) and you are back at square one.
How long did this song take to write?
I wrote it in one session, so about 4 hours. Obviously there was a lot of recording and re-recording and production that went into it, but the initial songwriting flowed very naturally in the session and we wrote it pretty quickly! Once again it was a very cathartic song to write and I hope it helps people feel better having listened to it.
How was performing at silverstone this weekend just gone?
Absolutely amazing! The stage was massive, probably one of the biggest I’ve ever performed on. The crowd were fab and the sun came out for my set (which was lucky as it had been insanely rainy and windy just before!). It was so cool to be there and watch the races, my dressing room went right out onto the track which was awesome too!
Recording Christmas songs in July, can you talk about those recordings yet?
Yes! This Christmas I’m releasing my first ever Christmas song! It’s called ‘Our First Christmas Together’ and it’s all about spending Christmas with your partner and all the lovely wholesome activities that come with it. It was funny writing it in France in 36 degree heat but my songwriting partner and I got into the Xmas spirit and put on Santa outfits when recording !
Any of your songwriting partners could there be any potential collaborations at a different time?
I can definitely see that happening. I’m lucky enough to work with some very talented people who are also on their own artist journeys. I love collaborations and so yes, watch this space!
You’ve been showcasing your writing sessions through your instagram, what can you talk about from those sessions?
All I can say is there is A LOT of new music on the way. I’ve been writing some of my best songs yet and I’m so excited to share them with everyone!
BBC introducing made your song ‘Summer With U’ track of the day, what was your first reaction to find that out and to hear it on the radio?
It was epic! It was such a sunny day and so it was perfect for the Radio to bring the summer spirit. BBC introducing have been so supportive of me and my music and I’m forever grateful to them.
As an independent artist what would be your advice for artists breaking out right now?
My advice would be try your best, work hard, stay consistent and good things will come to those who wait. My other piece of advice would be to be authentic and write music that you enjoy listening to rather than trying to keep up with what’s trending and hopefully people will relate.
Describe the ‘summer of 2024’ for you?
Summer of 2024 has been the summer of love. Shortly beforehand I released my first ever love song ‘Reset Me’ and throughout this summer have ended up singing it at a first dance at a wedding! This summer has been a lot of writing and enjoying performing, oh and I finished it off by getting a puppy with my boyfriend Louis!
You are very stylish, would you like to work on your on fashion line one day?
Thank you! That’s actually a lot down to my stylist Chloe though, can’t take too much credit for that! She’s amazing and has taught me a lot. Maybe one day I’d love to collab with her and design some cool pieces for sure! I think I’ll start with new merch!
What are your makeup/fashion dos and don’t’s?
Don’t wear too much makeup on a day to day basis, often things that look good online look crazy in real life, like there’s a real trend of wearing heaps of blusher at the moment (because of Sabrina Carpenter), which looks great in pictures, but I think people are over doing it, I know I did! DO wear things that make you feel your best. True beauty comes from confidence and so if you feel comfortable and happy in your clothes, this will affect your mood in a positive way and you’ll be stunning.
Final message from you?
Enjoy the new single and add it to your roadtrip playlists! And surround yourself with people who give you energy rather than drain it!
