Q&A: Embracing the Depths of Love in Casii Stephan's "Wine & Gold"
CASII STEPHAN INVITES LISTENERS into a world of intense love and passion in her latest single “Wine & Gold”. Inspired by the exhilarating rush of affection and the transformative power of being completely consumed by love, Stephan captures the essence of infatuation with raw emotion and unbridled passion. Produced by Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, St. Paul and the Broken Bones), the soul-drenched funk pop meets rock track radiates infectious energy and irresistible charm, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into the complexities of romance.
As the second single from her upcoming EP, Relationship Status, "Wine & Gold" serves as a poignant exploration of the euphoria and uncertainty that come with surrendering to love. With lyrics that delve deep into the highs and lows of romance, Stephan fearlessly confronts societal norms and challenges negative stereotypes, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Through her honest and introspective songwriting, Stephan shines a light on the transformative power of self-expression, offering a beacon of hope in a world fraught with uncertainty.
With each new release, Casii Stephan reaffirms her status as a rising star in the indie-pop meets soul-rock scene. "Wine & Gold" promises to captivate audiences with its mesmerizing vocals, infectious melodies, and heartfelt lyrics. As listeners immerse themselves in the intoxicating allure of love, Stephan's music serves as a reminder of the boundless potential of the human spirit and the joy of living life to the fullest.
LUNA: Your new single, "Wine & Gold," dives into intense love. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind the song and the specific emotions you capture?
CASII STEPHAN: So this song started as an inspo idea for a co-write, but the co-write got canceled. I loved the starting idea, so I finished it for myself. I was very inspired by Crazy in Love by Beyonce. So that feeling of just diving into love and not wanting to come up for air. That's the whole inspiration for this song. Someone enters into your life and you're forever changed - the good, the bad, all of it. The lyrics are a bit over the top and that's the point.
LUNA: "Wine & Gold" is from your upcoming EP, Relationship Status. How does this song fit into the overall theme of the EP, which explores navigating relationship stages?
CASII STEPHAN: This song fits into the relationship status of "in love". It's the second track on the EP. "Can't Handle Me" was the first single and was the track that represented being single. For this relationship status, I didn't want to label it in a way that restricted it to just being engaged or being married. You don't need the legal side to explore the feeling of having your person and then by the third track losing that person. But the third track isn't out yet, so we're still in the "love is great!" stage. Ha.
LUNA: You mentioned growing up shy but finding your voice through songwriting. Can you tell us more about this journey of overcoming shyness and embracing your powerful vocals?
CASII STEPHAN: First off, thank you! I think it's still a journey. I have anxiety and it can impede my life some days. But I've found over the years that when I push through and do the things despite the anxiety feeling like a weight in my stomach, that thing is usually worth the agony. I have people around me that believe in me and push me through. It's a huge help. Therapy has also been great. Overall, I think it's just continuing to commit to keep pushing through and realizing that everybody else has their own insecurities they're working through as well.
LUNA: Your lyrics tackle sexism, ageism, and societal expectations for women. How do you use music to challenge these norms and empower listeners?
CASII STEPHAN: I write the things I want to say. And saying those things out loud has power. I have a song called When Winter Comes about embracing age instead of trying to erase it and that one has been a balm to women and men. That one surprised me. I wrote it cause I needed it. ha.
A song I have called “Already Gone” is about a woman leaving an abusive relationship and getting a happy ending. That doesn't always happen, but I needed to know it's possible by writing it out.
Off the upcoming EP, “Can't Handle Me” is the thoughts I would like to be able to say to a drunk guy at a bar that doesn't know he's not wanted. But you can't say those things in person cause you're not sure if that guy will come back and harm you later. And the third single, yet to be released, Average Man, was inspired by real events of women getting sick or getting cancer, and that gives men the right to cheat on them. It's an "average" reaction. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of that precedent. It should have never been average.
LUNA: You've been compared to Florence Welch and Carole King. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how do they inspire your songwriting?
CASII STEPHAN: So... Disney... But for real. Grew up sheltered musically and I listened to a lot of Disney, musicals, and Christian music. I love a big chorus and drama. :)
I got into White Stripes and Foo Fighters in my teens, which brought me out of the idea that music had to be perfect. I'm also a big Celine Dion fan. Lately, I've been getting into Leon Russell and his rolling melodies. So there's a spectrum.
LUNA: You considered leaving music but found encouragement to continue. How did you turn that point around, and how does it feel to receive acclaim from Billboard and NPR now?
CASII STEPHAN: It was my friend/manager, Amira. She really pushed me to not give up and I finally acquiesced. Getting this recognition is surreal. I don't think it still has sunk in. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep pushing on cause this music thing is wild and you never know where it will take you.
LUNA: ou've toured regionally and played SXSW. What's been the most rewarding experience in your musical journey so far, and how did recording in Muscle Shoals with Ben Tanner impact your sound?
CASII STEPHAN: It's always the most rewarding when you write something and someone connects with it in a way you didn't expect. There's nothing better than that. My mom stopped dyeing her hair because of When Winter Comes. Didn't expect that, but I was glad she felt the freedom to just be her.
Recording in Muscle Shoals with Ben Tanner was a huge step of faith for me. And it paid off so much. I have new friends. I was challenged as an artist and musician. And it inspired my next project. But we won't talk about that yet. Overall, it helped me feel more free to just trust my gut and stop second-guessing myself.
LUNA: How do you hope your music resonates with listeners and encourages them to examine their own journeys?
CASII STEPHAN: Overall, I always hope people feel less alone. We all have frustrations, desires, heartbreak, and anxiety. So if my music makes this life a little easier to bear and gives you some hope, I've done my job in this world.
LUNA: Joining a roster with icons like The Who is a huge accomplishment. What does this signing mean for you, and how will it influence your future musical endeavors?
CASII STEPHAN: It's amazing. Again, surreal. I still feel like the little girl growing up in South St Paul, MN. So yeah... it's wild. I'm grateful for every opportunity and look forward to seeing what's ahead. You never know how things will shape your future until you're there, you know?
LUNA: What intentions do you have for this spring season?
CASII STEPHAN: I'm excited to play more in Oklahoma and Arkansas. And we're booking dates for the summer in NYC, Nebraska, Missouri, and hopefully more! Just excited to get out there and meet new people and share my music.
