SPOTLIGHT: Vines Finds Connection Amidst Chaos at SXSW 2025
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
Photos By Sophie Gragg
BROOKLYN-BASDED COMPOSER AND MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST CASSIE WIELAND, arrives at SXSW with a unique blend of anticipation and groundedness, ready to share her Vines artist project. For an artist whose atmospheric, mostly instrumental track "being loved isn't the same as being understood" unexpectedly skyrocketed to Tik Tok fame, the festival represented a new chapter, a chance to connect with audiences beyond the digital realm. "This is actually my first festival," she shared, her excitement palpable, "even my first festival attending."
The journey to SXSW, however, wasn't just about the shows. Wieland found herself immersed in the intricate logistics of the festival, gaining a newfound appreciation for the sheer scale of the event. "I am just amazed, because it just takes so many people to put something like this together," she reflected, "the amount of coordination involved, I knew, but I didn't know the extent until we got into the weeds of it."
Her viral track, a hauntingly beautiful piece, resonated deeply with listeners, sparking a trend of personal photo collages. Wieland believes the title served as a gateway, allowing people to interpret the music in their own way. "I think the title of the piece was the initial hook," she explained, "because with instrumental music, it's really hard to portray a specific feeling." She continued, "People really have the freedom that way to to let it mean what it needs to mean."
Now, with a new single, "I am my home," and a debut LP on the horizon, Wieland is exploring themes of childhood, independence, and repressed emotions. "I was thinking about a lot of common themes when I was writing…I was thinking a lot about my childhood.” she revealed.
This deeply personal project, she emphasized, is a reflection of her own emotional processing. "It's hard for music not to be personal for me, it's, it's the way that I process my own feelings," she noted.
Sonically, the new music is rich with strings, saxophones, and guitar moments, creating a textural landscape that blends classical and post-rock influences. "It's got some post rock in there. It's got some classical in there," she described. The production process was a collaborative effort with producer Mike Tierney, a dynamic Wieland deeply appreciates. “It was definitely a collaboration between the two of us," she said, "I came in with the pencil sketch, and we painted it together."
As she prepared for her SXSW showcases, Wieland expressed a mix of excitement and a newfound sense of calm. "I have done a lot of work this year with getting over my stage fright," she shared, "and that was just with pure exposure therapy." She finds the festival's atmosphere particularly welcoming, a place where people are genuinely open to discovering new artists. "It's really easy to calm my nerves by thinking of that,” she said.
Looking ahead, Wieland's intention is to stay grounded and appreciate the journey. "This is the busiest that I've ever been," she admitted, "so I hope that I can stay present." She recognizes the long-term nature of a music career, a stark contrast to the instant gratification of Tik Tok. "For me, this year is all about noticing those payoffs when they pop up.”
With her debut LP on the horizon and a growing fanbase, Vines is poised to make a lasting impact, both on and off the digital stage.
