Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Casey Wells
THE RELEASE
Casey Wells, a rising singer from Charleston, SC, has gone on a musical journey that has captured listeners with his seductive songs and emotional narrative. Wells began constructing his own sound and recording his first tracks at fourteen years old, thanks to a childhood interest for music. He has built an own musical identity that resonates strongly with audiences by drawing influence from an eclectic combination of genres such as indie, pop, and folk. Wells' contemplative songwriting delves into the complex web of human emotions, weaving personal experiences into universal themes. His debut album, "Impermanence," released on July 27th, demonstrates his extraordinary skill as a performer, composer, and producer.
This enthralling album has an intriguing assortment of tunes that range from the seductive worlds of psychedelic pop and indie rock to the fascinating realms of electronica and folk. Wells, a real innovator, pushes the boundaries of musical traditions with abandon, filling his songs with new ideas and a bold energy. The album begins with "Keep It Coming," an immersive aural world in which Wells cleverly blends distorted viola samples he recorded himself, complemented by altered tape loops and beautiful vocal harmonies that produce appealing melodic hooks throughout the song. "Impermanence" not only demonstrates Wells' experimental style, but also his ability to write meaningful ballads like as "Over" and "Moving On," which provide a sense of familiarity and relatability. The album glides fluidly into tunes like "Archives," "Jump In," and "Brand New Age," which inject an irresistible dance element evocative of both modern psychedelic and electronic music. Wells' debut demonstrates his diverse skills, fusing fascinating melodies with emotional narrative. His intimate connection to his audience, paired with his genuine vulnerability, lays the groundwork for Wells to leave an everlasting stamp on the music industry.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
I would say Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Michael Nau of Cotton Jones, Jai Paul and Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes.
What song or moment in time sparked your passion for music?
When I was very young I remember hearing the band Boston on the radio and just being absolutely blown away by the quality and impact of the sound. I remember asking “How can anyone sound that good?” and was told about how engineers use “tricks” in the recording studio to make things sound that way. Ironically, Tom Scholz was known for recording the instrumentals all by himself at home, but that was when my fascination with recording music began.
How does your creative process work from the moment you develop the idea to the completion of the record?
I’ve learned how important is for me to be in an environment that’s inspiring, accessible and comfortable when creating my music, especially when performing and producing. My home studio is rather modest but the fact that I can start recording vocals or guitar almost instantaneously and spend as much time as I need to work on something allows me to make the music I make.
As for this release, who is the producer and what about the production moved you?
I produced the “Impermanence” album entirely myself. There’s a range of production styles between songs I think but as an example, I’ve always been fascinated by the use of sampling in music and I guess I’ve had this idea to not only use manipulated samples in songs but to create the samples myself as well. I’m proud to have achieved that in moments of the album, like the viola part in “Keep It Coming”, the repeating vocals in “ATYC” and the bridge section of “Jump In”.
When it comes to the songwriting on this record, what is the message you want to get across to your listeners?
I want to remind people how short life can be, no matter how long it can feel sometimes, and urge how important it is to make the most of the limited time one has; including pursuing dreams and goals, spending quality time with loved ones and embarking on the lifelong journey of self-awareness and improvement. It’s quite a challenge and I think the record illustrates that too. It’s not usually as simple as telling yourself to “do better”.
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