Cassa Jackson Talks New Single, Songwriting And More

 Vocal powerhouse Cassa Jackson, is your go-to singer-songwriter for relatable, sassy songs about relationships. Her latest single ‘Turning Point’ is out now and she told us more about the release: 

When did you begin songwriting and recording music?

I started songwriting when I was at school doing my A-Levels. I was in a relationship at the time that was making me feel very anxious and so I used songwriting to write my feelings down as a form of therapy! I started recording them with a friend of mine who was studying music production and the rest is history.

What is your earliest musical memory?

I remember performing shows with my cousins for our family as kids in the summer. I vividly remember singing ‘Thank You for the Music’ by ABBA and also ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion and doing a full on show in the living room! I must try and find the videos…I also remember every Christmas I used to force the entire family to come downstairs to where the piano was and listen to me play piano and sing (probably rather badly at the time), but that shows I loved performing from a young age!

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

‘Turning Point’ is a song about realising that you are okay on your own and are finally getting over a previous relationship. I used to find it sad and draining going back to my parents house, which reminded me so much of my previous relationship (as I was young at the time, so still lived at home) and then one day I went back there, went to the café we always used to go to (which would normally trigger my heartbreak), but this time I realised I was okay, happy even, it was actually a place I could still enjoy by myself and make new memories. My mum then said to me ‘you’ve hit a turning point’ and I remembered that feeling when I went into the session to write this song! Life doesn’t need to be defined by the past and once you realise you are better off out of a relationship, it makes it easier to move on.

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

I recorded it at a studio out in France, near Toulouse, with the guy I wrote it with, who is also the producer of the song. His name is Kevin and he is insanely talented and I love working with him.

Was it a difficult song to write?

It was a very cathartic song to write. The song is all about letting go and finally moving forward with your life, without the weight of the past holding you back. I felt uplifted after writing it as it was a step closer towards healing. The pre-chorus is all about thinking that if my younger self (in 2019, still in that relationship) found out that we had broken up, she would be devastated, but if she met me now, she’d realise that I’m better off and I’ve become like my old self again, confident and happy, before the trauma of that relationship.

Who created/designed the single artwork?

The artwork is shot by a photographer called Adam Brazier (@Adambrazier). He has also taken a number of my other album covers and has a really cool vibe. My hair is also done by a good friend of mine Rowan Ireland (@rowanireland_creative). I love working with friends, it means you’re always having fun, even when working.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not particularly, I have a talented band who are awesome with their instruments. Even though I play the keys, during my live shows I love to be up and about and moving around and performing to the best of my ability! I do love a wireless microphone for this reason!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is in Surrey in a little village there and I would describe it as peaceful, happy, beautiful, boundless and above all I’ll always see it as home.

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

Yes! I am currently in the process of planning my very own Headline Tour! I have done a lot of supporting other artists on their tours (JLS, Blue, Lucy Spraggan) and now it’s time for me to do it on my own! Seeing as these songs I’m releasing this year are largely stripped back and acoustic, I’m thinking it would be a nice vibe to do some intimate acoustic shows, which would really feel like group therapy! I also have some exciting festivals coming up this summer too, so I’m excited to get back up on stage and perform!

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Ooh tricky one! I mean the best thing would be if I ever wrote an autobiography and then there was a film adaptation of that – a documentary on Cassa Jackson, obviously all my songs would fit perfectly with the story as they are the story of my life and basically my diary! But if I had to pick a novel that already exists, I’d say something along the vein of Bridget Jones’ Diary, something relatable like that. I’d love to write the film score for an epic love story film, something like a new Romeo and Juliet would be cool.

 Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

At the moment I am really into Fletcher and Tate Mcrae, I just went to see them both live at the Hammersmith Apollo in London and was truly blown away by their shows. It made me so excited to get back on stage and perform! If you haven’t listened to Fletcher’s new album ‘In Search Of The Antidote’, you are missing out! I’m also a big fan of Maisie Peters’ songwriting, it’s so unique…I think her song ‘History of Man’ is one of the best songs ever written, so definitely check that out!

How do you look after your voice?

I drink lots and lots of peppermint tea with honey and I regularly steam my throat a lot. I also try to not shout or raise my voice, which is a good thing to practice anyway! Morning vocal warm ups and lots of sessions too – I am always singing, so my voice is getting a lot of use all the time so it needs to be often warmed up and down!

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024?

Yes! After I released ‘Reset Me’, which celebrated where I’m at in my current ‘happy and healed’ state, I’m now taking listeners through my healing journey story through song. I documented my healing process in my songwriting so I am planning on releasing practically a song a month for the rest of the year which will be like a ‘step-by-step’ guide to getting over heartbreak, ending where we started at being Reset.

What makes Cassa Jackson happy and what makes you unhappy?

My family and friends make me the happiest person on earth. I am truly blessed to have such a strong support system around me and I will never take that for granted. Dogs also make me very happy, anytime I see a dog, I need to stroke it (which sometimes people think is bizarre in London aha!) But if I’m ever feeling remotely sad then that cheers me up! In terms of what makes me unhappy, people bringing other people down makes me unhappy. I always want to uplift people and make them feel good about themselves, so when I hear or see other people doing this it doesn’t sit well with me. Life can be hard at times and you never know what anyone else is going through, so why not try and always make people’s days better instead of worse!