Introducing Brett Caswell
If you're from the Barrie area or have even set foot in a Dunlop street venue over the past few years, then no introduction is necessary. Brett has been the heart and soul of our music community and we are so pleased to have him join our AR family.
Brett is a singer-songwriter who has fronted numerous local bands over the years. He is a producer, engineer, performer and a multi-instrumental musician. He does it all while living and breathing his craft.
Check out our candid interview with him below to learn more about Brett, where he came from and where he is going.
This is your first solo project and release in a long time. What have you been up to?
I started a family almost 6 years ago, and being a father trumped everything for me. It was actually a strange transition for me. Music had always been first. I made sure any girl I dated knew that they were second to my band/music. Haha….I was a dick. But yeah, playing, recording and touring original music is an extremely difficult, and long road to make lucrative. So, as soon as my son was born, I had to put my recording/touring career on hold, and start playing mostly cover gigs. Unfortunately those gigs pay the bills a lot more easily than splitting the door with 3 three other bands at the Horseshoe Tavern. So here I am today, many years later, roof over my head, kids are healthy and fed, and I’m getting the itch to put something out.
What about these songs are different from previously released music?
Not a whole lot actually. I’ve always written with my heart on my sleeve, and this new batch of songs is no different; some piano songs, acoustic songs, electric songs. Some darker, some lighter. I’m just sort of picking up where I left off.
Tell us about the process of creating these songs on your own?
I’m a bit of a control freak, so I’ve always created songs on my own. Even when I tried in the past to collaborate in the studio, I ended up going back and re-recording other people’s parts because they weren’t EXACTLY how I heard them in my head. Again….I was a dick. Haha. Though I played the drums in the studio on this latest song “Beautiful People", I think I’ll hire a drummer for some of the rest of the tunes. Drumming is my weakest instrument. But, as far as bass, guitar, and piano go, I’ll play all those myself.
What is it that keeps you wanting to play music and inspired to create new music?
Music, for me, is therapy. I need to keep writing and creating to get out all my demons. A quote from my friend, Brandyn many years ago… “I think Brett would be a serial killer if he didn’t have music". You know what? He might not be far off with that. And really, it’s my calling. I feel as if I’ve been given a gift, and with this gift I have a responsibility to share it with the world. It’s my duty to make people smile, laugh, cry, and just feel in general.
LIGHTENING ROUND
Current favorite album
“Something more than free” - Jason Isbell
Guilty pleasure song
“Say you’ll be there” - Spice Girls
Favourite place to write music
Home at my piano
Best live gig thus far
Mariposa Folk Festival with my band, The Marquee Rose.
First live performance
A Caswell family gathering at a hall in Port Perry. It was with my first band, Parkside Daisy
Love it!
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