Welcome back to our Independent Interviews.
Today I have a great honor: to talk to a singer-songwriter who made independent music great: Casper McWade.
Hi Casper, thanks for your availability. I am really happy and honored to finally be able to host you on my blog, after having talked about you both on the Italian radio I collaborate with and in my articles.
Tell us about yourself: where were you born and raised, when did you decide you would be a musician in life.
I was born in Seminole, Oklahoma.
I live just north of that town in a very small town called Little, Oklahoma.
My family has been here for many generations.
My mother’s maiden name is Little.
My love for music started very early: my grandmother was a very devout Christian and attended church regularly. We all sang with her almost every weekend.
I knew then that was what I wanted to do.
What were your biggest influences? What music do you listen to when you are not on tour or in the studio?
Being from Oklahoma, Country music was always a huge part of my childhood: Bob Wills, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, just to name a few.
I still enjoy these artists today. However, when I’m driving, I listen to my favorite punk rock band Face to Face the most.
The life of an independent musician is hard, we know, how do you cope with life on the road? Do you like being always on the road? How do you manage to spend time with your family and loved ones?
The road life is a challenge for sure. Especially with a wife and kids at home.
Luckily, they support my career (kids even think I’m cool at times).
The juice is worth the squeeze most of the time.
There are times that have been very challenging and even put my marriage at risk especially during Covid. I wouldn’t change a thing, however.
You have collaborated with the great Cody Jinks: what is it like working with him? Is he really the fantastic person everyone describes him to be?
Cody is as authentic as his reputation suggests.
It was a blast doing ”Don’t Follow” and the co writes, etc.
He’s a great man and a great friend.
You have played around the United States far and wide: what are the venues you have loved playing in? And are there places where you dream of doing it one day?
I’ve played so many great rooms and festivals that it’s hard to recount.
There are a few iconic places that I’d love to play: Gruene Hall in Texas is one and, of course, Red Rocks and the Ryman.
It’s a golden moment for independent music, are there any artists you feel like recommending? Or songs that you always like to listen to?
It really is a special time in Indie music.
People are waking up from the trance the Nashville machine has put the world under.
Taylor Hunnicutt is doing great and I just love them, Trever Keith is about to drop a new album that is straight fire.
Tom McElvain, Clete Bradley, Jack Bentley, Emily Hollingshead are all names I’d look out for.
What did you think when a blogger from the other side of the world talked about your music? Streaming has its positive sides, but obviously your merchandising has more. Where can readers buy your music and your merch?
It’s an amazing feeling when someone from a world away cares enough about your music to share it with their part of the world and beyond.
I look forward to visiting in 2025.
Sadly, my online store is down at the moment due to bad representation, it might take a little while to clean that mess up and get it running again.
You learn the hard way in this business that there are bad people out there dressed as saints.
Do you have a new album coming out? Are there any songs of yours that you are more attached to and why?
I have a few different projects dropping in the new year.
First of all my long awaited rock and roll album.
Then, in February my traditional Celtic band Rebels~Devils drops our debut record.
There will also be a duet version of Silver Cross from the “Something for the Pain” album featuring Courtney Patton dropping soon.
I’m quite fond of that one.
Thanks Casper for this interview, I know it’s hard to find time and you are truly always available.
I wish you the success that your ability as a singer-songwriter deserves, appreciated by fans and professionals.
Trex.
