Casey McQuillen Talks New Music, 2025 Tour Plans And More

Singer-songwriter and musician Casey McQuillen is no stranger to us at JLTT. She chatted to us about her new music, 2025 tour plans and more:

Your new single ‘Better’ is out now. What was the inspiration/story behind the track?

“Better” is all about self-empowerment and recognizing your worth. I wanted to write a song that felt both uplifting and honest—about that moment when you finally realize you deserve more, whether it’s in a relationship, a job, or just life in general. It’s about stepping into your confidence and making choices that put your happiness first. I think we’ve all been in situations where we needed that little push to believe we could do better, and I hope this song gives people that boost.

Where did you record the track and who produced it?

I recorded “Better” in Nashville with the incredibly talented Jacob Lutz! He, Claudia Swope, & I wrote this song in just under an hour. I wanted it to have this breezy, lighthearted feel but with a message —and he totally nailed it.

Do you have any interesting, funny, or memorable stories from the single recording sessions?

One of my favorite memories was when we wrote my favorite line of the song; “I bring the value, B.Y.O.V”. The song has such a specific energy and we were all completely in the flow, and Jacob said out loud “I either just came up with the best line of the day or the dumbest thing I’ve ever written”. Both Claudia and I knew instantly that it was going to be iconic, and “B.Y.O.V” was born!

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, or recording equipment to help you get a specific sound/tone for the record?

The main acoustic guitar in the song is actually a sample! When I walked into the write, Jacob already had that sample going on a loop, and it helped us get into the fun energy immediately!

Was it a difficult song to write?

Surprisingly, no! “Better” came together really naturally. I think because the message is so personal and something I’ve been through myself, it just flowed. I wrote it with a couple of amazing co-writers, and we were all on the same page about making it a feel-good anthem. Some songs take forever to perfect, but this one felt right from the start. Hope you love the song as much as I loved making it!

You will be touring the UK with Anastacia this year. How did that opportunity arise?

This tour with Anastacia is such an incredible opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited! I’ve opened for such amazing artists like James Morrison & Beverley Knight in the UK, and those experiences really opened a lot of doors for me—I got to perform in front of these massive audiences and connect with so many new fans across Europe and the UK.

When the opportunity came up to support Anastacia, it just felt like the perfect next step. She’s such an iconic artist, and I’ve always admired her powerhouse vocals and the way she commands a stage. I feel so lucky to be part of this tour and can’t wait to bring my music to even more cities across the UK and beyond!

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

Yes! I’ve been writing so much lately, and I’m so excited for what’s coming next. My upcoming single, ‘Better Than This’, is really special to me—it’s about my journey of moving to Europe to chase my dreams and all the emotions that come with taking that kind of leap.

Beyond that, I have more new music in the works for 2025. I’m exploring themes of self-discovery, taking risks, and embracing change, and I think fans are going to hear a lot of growth in these new songs. Expect more anthemic, heartfelt tracks—definitely some that will make you want to dance, and others that will hit you right in the heart. I can’t wait to share them with everyone!

Do you have any headline live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025?

Yes! After these incredible runs with Loreen and Anastacia, I’ll be headlining my own shows across the UK and Europe in Fall 2025. It’s been amazing connecting with audiences on these big tours, and now I’m so excited to bring my own vision to the stage in a more intimate way.

I’ll be back playing in some of my favorite cities and hopefully some new ones too. Head to listentocasey.com/headline for tickets – I can’t wait to see you all on the road!