Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
...."Both The Wanting and Facing The Night bring about recollection of familiar notes, but not a generalized complete sound. The band's conceiving idea was to utilize female vocals to enhance the increasingly orchestral influence on rock music. In their first two CDs, Cassandra breathes back and forth between methods -- sometimes letting Kaia's classical cello and Erica Brewer's violin take "Inland Sea" through an undulating rhythm -- sometimes using the three-toned (now two-toned) vocals smother "I Don't Think You Know" like a softly echoing Sarah Dougher, or dominate "Playing the Fool" with a Neko Case pulsating grip. But rarely are two songs closely linked, except in the bleeding female harmonies Kaia and Bri have stabilized the band on."....
...to see more of this review, see the press section of Cassandra Speaks' website at www.cassandraspeaks.org
- The UW Daily
"Multi-instrumental, multi-vocalist, multi-talented and pretty damn good. Nice blend of traditional instrumentation (cello, violin, harmonica) with acoustic guitars, electric bass, and other odd sounds. Wonderful two and three part harmonies. Oi! This band was created just for me. RIYL: Jayhawks, Neko Case, Sadies".
Chris Ashley, Program Director, booker for the "Exposed" radio program - UW Rainy Dawg Radio
- Rainydawg Radio
Overwhelming Textural Seduction
Seattle area band, Cassandra Speaks sent in a single, All Lovers Are Gamblers. They would normally be reviewed when their EP, due in September, comes out. But the beautiful melodic girl harmonies, along with the gorgeous string accompaniment, overtook me and I listened to the one song over and over. Think a little Alison Krauss or a softer Grey Eye Glances, but their sound is very much their own. The layered voices and strings are slowly paced against the background of a more insistent 12 string guitar. I reacted so strongly to the sound that it took me several listens to tune into the lyrics. With an emphasis on words like seduction and surrender the lyrics are more textural than meaningful, but that only enhances the charm of their sound.
Julie Geist - The Vigilance - The Vigilance
Discography
Spring, 2007 - Cassandra Speaks is awaiting a new, yet untitled, full length album!
2005 - Facing the Night EP (recorded with former members David Witten on guitar and Erica Brewer on violin, as well as guest guitarist Scott Baucher)
2004 - The Wanting EP (also recorded with former members listed above)
CS has mp3's available on their website at www.cassandraspeaks.org and can be heard on KEXP 90.3 FM, KBCS 91.3 FM, KUOW 94.9, and ELC365 Radio in Chicago.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Cassandra Speaks just might be your new favorite band? Here?s why:
1. they're unique: Cassandra Speaks doesn't have just one vocalist, but anywhere from two to four. Featuring the vocal harmonies of two girls, Bri and Kaia, whose harmonies range from eerily heartbreaking to quirky and fun, occasional male vocals also emerge from time to time, adding a contrasting low resonance to their inimitable dynamic. Kaia, sitting on a chair, will swoon on her cello, but before long she'll have strapped it over her shoulders, wailing on it like a huge guitar! Her harmonica gives a pleasant shift from the strings. All the while, these songs are set to the backdrop of ominous to funky standup bass and percussive rhythms.
2. they're talented: Each member of CS comes from a history of other bands and bring different musical backgrounds to the table. With a mixture of creative and original songwriting to the pure skill and listening attentiveness it takes to create great music, these guys gots it.
3. they're desired: Having played their most recent gigs at the Showbox and the
Highdive, bringing great crowds, this band has played all over Seattle and has hopes of touring in the near future. Cassandra Speaks has been featured on KEXP 90.3 FM, KBCS 91.3 FM, KUOW 94.9, and ELC365 Radio in Chicago. They have also been featured on NPR's nationally broadcast "Open Mic" radio program.
Links
