It’s hard not to smile when Cassia are in the room – be it during an interview or watching them joyfully play headline dates to sold-out audiences.
Their infectious personalities glow just as much as their sun-drenched calypso sound which, as Clash described, “transforms even the dreariest of days into a feel good carnival.” Cassia combine the positive indie pop of bands like Foals and Vampire Weekend with the jazz-tinged afrobeats of Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor and American folk influences like Paul Simon to create an individual sound that uplifts. In the words of Gigwise, the music comes from a band “on a mission to spread positivity.”
Cassia’s sound is one quickly chiming with audiences, having already sold out headline dates both in the UK and Europe. Playing to a homecoming capacity crowd at Manchester’s O2 Ritz as well as The Garage in London, the band have amassed a large following having pursued a largely traditional route via local gigging whilst writing and rehearsing in their local studio. Their vibrant live shows have proven a joy with fans, something that resulted in them earning a nomination for Best Live Act at the Association of Independent Music Awards alongside Idles and DMA’s. The band have a busy summer ahead, beginning with a performance at Kendal Calling.
Speaking about the band recently, Rob Adcock from BBC Introducing described Cassia as “one of the most exciting bands to come out of Manchester in years.” With their confident combination of carefree lyricism, joyful melodies and infectious riffs, 2019 feels like the year when Cassia will finally emerge as one of the UK’s brightest young talents. You can’t help but smile when you listen.