We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eva Cassel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eva, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Thanks so much for having me! During lockdown, I “quit music”. Staying home all day every day was really starting to wear on me, I felt so isolated and hopeless. I find so much joy in performing, watching live music, and in my social interactions. I suddenly had way more time to sit on my phone and compare myself to everyone who I felt was more successful than me. I went down a dark rabbit hole and decided it was too hard to keep trying to make music. So I quit.

When I thought “what next?” and faced the reality of starting over, working 9-5 and sitting at a desk, that sounded 100 times worse than never “making it” in music. I realized I don’t want to spend the one life I have doing anything else, even if I never reach the level of success I always thought I would. Hitting that kind of rock bottom with my career turned out to be weirdly inspiring for me. You have to love something SO much to keep giving with no expectations. Receiving recognition isn’t the point. The point is to contribute to the world, even if it’s in a small way. That’s what makes me feel alive. I don’t want to make art for the sake of making money, or showing off. Hopefully it will reach people, but I’d rather make art no one hears than not make art at all.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’ve been singing and making music since I can remember. When I was little I would put on shows for anyone who would listen. If no one was around, I’d set up my stuffed animals in rows of chairs as my audience. When I was in high school I learned about Berklee College of Music and it immediately became my #1 choice. I graduated Berklee with a degree in Songwriting and poetry minor.

I have released two EP’s on all streaming platforms with more on the way. I pride myself on being an instrumentalist as well as a vocalist and songwriter. My eclectic taste is evident my music, blending jazzy chords and poetic lyrics with a rock and roll attitude (and a strat). You can find me playing around town backed by a full band of monster musicians. I want my shows to feel like a big hang where everyone is welcome. It’s not just about the music, it’s about creating an experience that helps both the performers and the audience feel more understood and alive.

One of my proudest moments, was getting to share the stage with John Mayer for a songwriting clinic at Berklee college of music. I was 1 of 5 writers selected to play a song for him to critique.

All of my favorite artists have made me feel less alone in the world, I hope my music can do the same for someone else.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think everyone has the capacity to be creative, even if it’s not what pays their bills. I think the idea that creativity is something you have or don’t have is completely incorrect, and I wish everyone felt more comfortable being creative.

That said, I do think there is a disconnect between people pursuing linear careers and people who don’t have a set of clear steps to follow to achieve their career goals. No industry is 100% straight forward, but having a degree from a prestigious music school doesn’t pave the way the same way it does with engineering or medicine. In the beginning, most entrepreneurs don’t end their work days with whatever is paying their bills. We end one work day and start another. The fact that there is no “right” way to achieve success is equally exciting and terrifying.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

If I had to distill it down, my goal would be human connection. Although I think social media and today’s technology are amazing tools, they can be a breading ground for isolation. To me, there’s nothing like listening to a song and feeling like it was written for/about me, describing a feeling I haven’t been able to put words to. Or being at a live show and feeling connected to a crowd of strangers all going through the same experience together.

I don’t identify as a super spiritual person, but that’s the best way for me to describe those experiences with music. It’s all about feeling connected, understood, and alive. I hope my music makes someone feel like that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evacasselmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evacasselmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ehcassel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkPSdS0oWtFssqfmhNoYGAg
• Other:
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/705ZK43kRXUkkuHV0q6yOh?si=JHzhrPIMS-WxX-Kvn2Jpcwername&nd=1
  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialevacassel

Image Credits
Libby Danforth, Homero, Music Neighbors, Adam Dobkin