Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your musical journey and background?
Hi my name is Cassy Judy, I’m a Sydney based multi-genre comedic and musical artist. I sing and play guitar, piano and saxophone. I grew up in Sydney and started writing songs in my early 20s when I lived in Belgium on a student exchange. I then went and lived in Broken Hill and wrote more songs. Since that time, I started performing my original songs and releasing them on the Boundary Rider and Seven Ways Eps. And my side-splitting magnum opus, the Body Parts album. I’m now releasing the Soul Parts album. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound and style?
Definitely Prince, Dave Graney and Amber Lawrence. Prince because he can sing really high and didn’t seem bound by a particular genre. Dave Graney because he is hilarious, funny, intelligent and articulate and a great performer. Lastly, hometown girl Amber Lawrence who left being an accountant to be a successful and great country singer! I still work as a lawyer but its great to know that you can lead your own life in your own way and don’t need to be confined to the shackles of being a professional.
What’s your creative process like when you’re composing or writing a new song?
I hate to be glib but I just write and sometime re-write! At my essence, I’m a performer and a writer. I don’t suffer from writer’s block and I have a constant stream of ideas running through my head. It’s important to me to find a chord progression that really fits the style of the song. So for I’m trying to forget about you, I went with the 50s chord progression because in many ways its timeless.
Among all the songs you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite? If so, what makes it
special to you?
I think it has to be “Where are my balls” because it’s a simple, funny and true song and people really enjoy it! I get huge laughs from performing it at Comedy Shows.
Can you share the story or inspiration behind that particular song?
Well, yes, I was on a train and met a woman who was a sex worker and she’d just had her breast implants taken out. She seemed disoriented, so I helped her find her way around the station. She was carrying her boobs in a bucket! I asked her if I could see and touch them, and she said yes. So there we were walking around the station, she had her boobs in a bucket and I told her about my balls – and how they took them out but didn’t offer me the chance to keep them in a jar. So we walked around the train station chatting and laughing about her boobs and my balls!
Let’s talk about your latest song. What’s the title, and what’s the story or message behind it?
Yeah, we are living in a time when attacks on queer people and different forms of queer expression is becoming more prevalent. At the last Australian federal election, one side of politics was claiming that women’s netball was going to be invaded by “men” which was a very invalidating way of referring to trans people trying to live authentically. These claims were trying to scare people.
When something makes my blood boil, I know a good way to deal with it is to write a song about it. So I wrote just for being who we are. When I put it into a voice memo and listened back to it, I was shaking. The power and truth of the song spoke loudly back to me through my phone. I hope it can reach people and connect with how they are feeling.
Share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances.
Yeah, a really cute girl jumped on the stage one time and I didn’t kiss her because my girlfriend was in the audience.
At my Body Parts Album launch I had lots of people form the audience on the stage, it made it a really fun, vibeful and inclusive night.
I just love getting the crowd involved. And queer crowds really seem to get my journey and music so I’m forever grateful to the Australian queer communities for all their support over the years.
Beyond music, do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about?
Yeah, I like going to the gym, in-line skating, basketball and ocean swimming. I think for ocean swimming, the focus on wind definitely informed my smash hit song, “Too Much East in the Nor’Easter.” I started out hanging out with surfers but I didn’t want to wait a long time for the waves, so I just ended up swimming around an island, looking for sharks! That’s me to a tea. I have a few ocean songs and I will include them on future releases!
How do they influence your music?
Yeah, I’ve always wanted to do a record of swimming songs. I’ve written about 4 or 5 but the comedic songs bring everyone so much joy. So I’m focussing on those at the moment and will bring out the Swimming Songs Record at some later stage.
Is there a dream collaboration you’d like to pursue in the future?
Yes, I’d love to co-write a song with Australian artist Dave Graney. He really seems to do his own thing. Or even cover many of his songs. He is an articulate and wry songster and wordsmith and a charismatic performer. He has influenced me so much in my musical style and offerings!
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey in the
music industry?
Start by doing. Get out there and get into it and don’t give up! There is a place for everyone in this industry you just need to keep at it. Keep working on your skills and networking. Push, push, push and then rest and look after yourself for the next burst of activity! Go!
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or new music you have in the works? What can your fans and listeners look forward to from you in the near future?
Yes, I’m doing a huge Soul Parts EP Launch on 28 June at the Red Rattler in Marrickville with the indigenous band GII Music. I can’t wait to share my new songs with everyone! Then I’ll start work on a very Australian album, whose working title is By Jingo! I can’t wait for that!