Interview – Cassandra Maze

Cassandra Maze is a Vancouver based alternative pop artist fresh off the release of her new single “Wait”. Canadian Beats caught up with Cassandra to talk music, inspiration and of course the catchy new single. Read more of our conversation with Cassandra below.

Tell us about your songwriting process, what inspires you? 

I sit down to write, whether it’s a full song or a scrap of lyrics, on a daily basis. I keep a written journal and constantly record voice memos on my phone. This is the exploratory stage of my songwriting process. I’m looking for a spark, and once I find that spark (maybe it’s a melodic hook or a chord progression or a quote that propels me forward), I can usually map out a whole song from there. It sounds a bit elusive because it is! Inspiration is rarely consistent. It can occur at odd times and from no apparent origin. Some of my strongest ideas come to me while I’m running or driving or waiting in line at the grocery store. The things that keep me inspired between bursts of creativity, however, are perhaps more consistent: new music, books, art and nature, for example.

You were a CBC searchlight top 10 finalist, how did this experience shape your career? 

It was a delight to make it to Top 10 in last year’s Searchlight contest! I auditioned with a live looping video of my song, Marry the Moon, which brought more attention to my looping capabilities on a national level. The contest also brought my music to new listeners who otherwise might not have heard it! It provided the welcome opportunity to reach more fans, so I’m very grateful for that.

What made you decide to pursue music as a career? 

I grew up in a music-centric household. Both my dad and brother played guitar, while my mom would sing and scat around the house. I loved singing and I started taking piano lessons at a young age. Even though I quit lessons at one point, I returned to them as a teenager because I discovered a love of songwriting. Basically, my choice to pursue music was less of a eureka moment than it was a slow-boiling and profound love for the craft. It’s my first language yet it still maintains the mystery of a foreign tongue.

Tell us about your new single “Wait.”

My songwriting partner in crime, Tanner Aguiar, was messing around with the verse riff on guitar one day, and I immediately loved the groove so we endeavored to build a song around it. The music came quite easily, but the lyrics we wrote at a later date, while travelling from Nanaimo to Vancouver by ferry. We were picking apart the proverb, “good things come to those who wait”, expressing our frustrations about the saying’s apparent thumbs up to idleness. We lyrically began to explore the dangers of waiting every day of one’s life, essentially for nothing, and “Wait” was born. Later I brought the tune to Ryan Worsley (Dear Rouge, Van Damsel) for production.

Do you have any big 2017 plans for your music career? 

Absolutely! After touring the east and west coast in support of “Wait”, I’ll gear up to release a 6 (maybe 7!) song EP at the end of April. Following that, I’ll be hitting the road once again in May, this time with stops in central Canada as well as both coasts. The best way to stay informed about the new music and tour dates is via my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cassandramazemusic

Here at Canadian Beats we like to include a “just for fun” portion to help your fans get to know you better, ready? 

Why not!

Your new single is called “Wait”, what do you hate waiting for? 

I hate waiting for most means of transportation—busses, trains, airplanes, or in a car in traffic. Who does? You’re caught in a state of limbo sometimes with the dread of being late or missing a connection hanging over your head. And let’s get real – it’s especially torturous when your phone is dead.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing? 

At this moment in my life, travelling for sure! I might also be teaching English along the way.

What is the most played song on your personal playlist? 

According to iTunes, Ex-Girlfriend by No Doubt. It’s not what you think – this song is the perfect tempo for running!

What can we find you doing on a day off? 

Spending time with friends and family, sharing good food and drinks.

And last but not least, is there anything you would like to say to your listeners and fans? 

I sincerely hope you come to acquire the things you’re waiting for in life, and if you feel like these things keep escaping your grasp, I hope you find the inner strength and courage to reach out at your own will and grab them!

Connect with Cassandra Maze:
Website
Facebook
Twitter