Photo Credit: Kevin Condon

There’s something about being in the midst of high school. You’re not quite an adult but you’re starting to see the outline of your future, or rather a faintly written list of what could possibly be your future. Nevertheless, there’s so much future ahead and it’s thrilling. Part of that inspired “Hondo Civic,” one of the songs found within the confines of the eponymous debut LP from Casual Male, so we discussed aging and whether or not getting older was a prison sentence or not. Just one of the few things that came up as well as Santana, surfing, and ‘Casual Male,’ out everywhere on October 4th. 

Kendra: Your first sort of creative pulse came when you were 12 when you picked up that first bass. Thinking back, do you remember any album or song in particular that may’ve drawn you towards that particular instrument? 

Casual Male: My first huge bass influence was John Entwistle of The Who, and the song had to be “My Generation” with those crazy bass fills. The summer I got that bass, I actually got to see The Who live in Camden at the Waterfront. My mom had been working all summer for Planned Parenthood at these concerts (she was the director in training) so she would bring me along and I could sit out on the lawn for general admission. 

Santana was playing, and I brought a Santana CD in my cargo shorts…to try and get signed. When I walked into the main part of the venue a security guard stopped me and said I couldn’t be in there, and besides I was 12 and probably didn’t know who Santana was. When I pulled out the CD, he burst out laughing and promised me next time he saw me he’d take care of me. When I went back for The Who, he recognized me and took me to the front of the entire crowd, and parked me directly in front of John Entwistle. 

Kendra: Around that same time, you fell in love with surfing and with all of us getting some unexpected alone time in recent years, you got to take advantage of that and write a lot on various sandy beaches. When listening back to ‘Casual Male,’ is there one beach setting that you felt pushed your pen further than others?                                

Casual Male: It’s definitely Ocean City in New Jersey. I was lucky enough to get to spend a week down there by myself, and I brought all of my recording gear down. I would oscillate between surfing and writing and that was it for a week. I felt my mind getting sharper and sharper as far as songwriting goes, getting quicker to connect those synapses. They really work hand in hand because when you are in the water, you really have to think of the big picture, such as the overall arrangement or the lyrical content. You can’t get lost in the sound of a kick drum like you may when staring in front of a computer. 

Kendra: Every week we post two interviews and it’s always interesting when the artists have a connection because I never plan it that way. So after jotting down some questions for a country artist, Denitia, I started on yours and found that you too wrote from this angle of endings and beginnings, much like she did on her September release, ‘Sunset Drive.’ However, while the basis was similar, you were ending a couple of major things in life and moving into your own. There’s no doubt you enjoyed your time playing in bands, but is there a feeling of freedom that swept over you when you started to branch off and do your own thing and start anew, like with “Half Cut?” 

Casual Male: There is a sense of freedom in that you don’t have to run anything by anyone else. You get to make all the decisions for better or worse, and you aren’t deciding by democratic vote. It also makes it extremely scary because you are taking on all the responsibility, artistically and financially. The freedom I did find was in the artistic process of making the records themselves. I knew how I wanted something to sound and even if I didn’t know exactly how to get there, when I wasn’t satisfied I would keep tinkering. That being said, working with amazing people to make it come to life was the real trick. Everyone I’ve worked with for the Casual Male project really were able to take my general directions and add their flavor to it, improving it tenfold. Especially Abe Seiferth, Dave Burnett, Kirk Schoenherr, and Emily Jackson. It’s fun to be the leader, but it’s so important to have great people working with you. 

Kendra: The idea of freedom carries through on this record as we get into “Hondo Civic.” I think this was the car when I was around 16-17 that everyone was getting! So I immediately got that sense of youth and the supposed endless possibilities that come with being young. With that, do you think growing older can feel like a prison sometimes? 

Casual Male: There can be a feeling that getting older can be a prison, but I also think there is freedom in it in ways too. You start to realize that you can really shape your life the way you want, and pursue the things that you want. Being responsible certainly isn’t as fun as not worrying about the future, but when I was 17 I think I worried about a whole different set of things. The thing that freaks me out about getting older, is that it feels like time moves at an unbelievably quick pace. 

Kendra: You had your eyes set on music for a long time seeing as you studied jazz in college. Is there anything from your studies that you have utilized in recent years? 

Casual Male: The thing that I really utilize from my years at studying jazz is how to lock myself into a small room, and work on the musical issues I need to. I love practicing and honestly wish I could do it for four-five hours a day like I did in school. Though as I’ve gotten older I have tried to start approaching practicing with a joyful curiosity, instead of a shame-filled guilt like I used to. Music school can be great, but I was approaching the instrument(upright bass) from a mentality that “I suck” and I have to get better. I’m not sure that mentality really suits me anymore so, I really am trying to shift to a feeling of curiosity and fun. 

Kendra: Time for a side note – With us entering the fall months, I’d love for you to share a song that puts you in an Autumn state of mind…

Casual Male: “Jesus, Etc” by Wilco. A friend showed me Wilco in college and it must have been the beginning of the year when I heard it because as soon as the air gets crisp, I imagine I’m in a hoodie, walking with my Discman listening to Yankee Hotel Foxtrox. 

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Casual Male’ out on October 4th – what can fans be on the lookout for as we inch closer to 2025? 

Casual Male: We are doing a big release show on October 9th at Union Pool which is going to be a blast! Other than that I’m starting to put together some regional touring, as well as continue to play the NYC area!