The North Country’s Entertainment Magazine
The North Country’s Entertainment Magazine
Fourth Coast Entertainment Media got a chance to talk to MARY ANN CASALE
A musician songwriter that crosses genres from blues to country to folk from Potsdam, NY
Q: Describe you as a person?
A: Creative, quirky, yet grounded. Introverted.
Q: How long have you been performing?
A: Since I was in HS
Q: What are your influences?
A: Eagles, Bonnie Raitt, John Denver, Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell as well as the old-time blues fingerpicking guitarist/writers.
Q: What type of band or musician are you? 'Genre'
A: Roots. I cross genres from blues to country to folk.
Q: Where is your hometown and have you relocated?
A: New Hyde Park was my home town on Long Island. I moved to Potsdam for college and after a number of years away, have moved back and have been here for around 30 years.
Q: What inspired you to become what you are?
A: My uncle who taught me guitar and music teachers through grade school and HS
Q: How did you get started as a band or a musician? "Tell a brief history of the band or you"
A: I started playing in small coffee- houses and "wine and cheese" places on Long Island. Played a bit in Colorado too. I joined a few bands and performed as a solo performer before joining up with bluesman, Tas Cru, singing and backing up his vocals on his albums and joining his band as well as performing as a roots duo.
Q If someone had never seen you per- form, how would you describe your sound and stage presence to them?
A: Rootsy, bluesy, vocals and guitar. Since I perform mostly in a duo, we do a mix of originals and songs from 60s, 70s, and sometimes a few even from the 1920s and 1930s.
Q: Tell us about your shows and why fans should be there?
A: Lyrics are just as important as the melodies. I think people, especially lately, need a break from the day to day stresses. My goal is to tell stories, paint pictures, that will take them away for an hour or two. I have been told from audience members that they can relate to my songs.
Q: What are your songs about?
A: What I see, what I feel and what I hope others can connect too. Love, loss, travel, fun times.
Q: How receptive have audiences been to your musical creation?
A: Very much so.
A: What's new in the recording of your music?
A: Less is more. I have less backing vocals, less instrumentation than in the past yet I still have a full band sound.
Q: What are your biggest obstacles?
A: Fitting in a genre box. I gave up on that and my biggest obstacle has now brought me freedom since I don't see it as an obstacle any longer.
Q: What is your method of marketing?
A: Website, social media, some radio airplay, streaming, physical CDs (people still want those).
Q: Describe your show, visual and musically?
A: Laid back visually. A couple of guitars, mandolin, resonator (Tas). Strong vocals.
More info about Mira:
