A seasoned traveller, earth scientist, and activist for social change across the Indigenous, climate, justice spectrums, Sydney singer-songwriter Kas Caeda has today released his debut solo single, 'Greenwood River'.
A rock song propelled by seismic pressure, Kas and his subsequent experiences compel him to say something "appropriately inappropriate" and strive for narrative excellence."By day, I work to inspire our 'civil' leaders to take up constructive road maps to make changes happen that will protect the future of our kids from gatekeepers who think that selling it off is 'appropriate'.
"I will keep finding new ways to sing about that because it is not only interesting but critical to everyone."
Who is... I am Kas Caeda, a singer-songwriter from Sydney living on Gadigal land. I was once the singer-songwriter in indie rock band Alibi, which played Sydney venues in the late '90s but we never released any music.
I am now writing and recording songs as Kas Caeda from home studios with that live act experience behind me.
I sound like... I really don't know. My big, vocal influences were Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, John Lennon, Nick Cave, Bruce Springsteen and other Aussie icons. Someone recently grouped the sound of my first single, 'Greenwood River', with The Church and Gang Of Youths, which was kind of surreal to hear.
My first gig was... At The Harbourside Brasserie, Pier One, in Sydney playing with a four-piece indie band called Alibi. The venue looked a bit like a basement but was an institution for indie, jazz, fusion and rock artists. Midnight Oil played there.
From memory, we worked hard to get 300 'friends' there on a mid-week night and we kept playing there in the years before a bunch of venues started to close.
When did you settle on your artistic name, and was it a unanimous decision... In 2020, in a home studio, after co-writing a song with a friend. The name Kas Caeda quickly became synonymous with that magical flow of ideas which comes from positive collaboration. That to me is what it's all about.
In the studio I usually... Sing in my attic to keep the noise down. Stay up late when I am running on a creative high. Share ideas with Jason De Wilde (the producer of 'Greenwood River'). Make music videos. Drink tea or coffee like water. Play around with melodies, new sounds, harmonies. Keep searching for the heart of a song until I can't stop smiling about it.
If I could tour with anyone... If they would have me, acts like Angie MacMahon, Something For Kate, Temper Trap, Gang Of Youths, and legends like Nick Cave and Midnight Oil of course.
Social media is... A meeting place. . . and. . . a curious ether of ideas, art, opinions, influence, tribalism and humanity. For me, it is empowering because I get to share songs with people I am grateful to be connected with and otherwise wouldn't be.
My favourite app at the moment is... I've been exploring the shady limits of TikTok, Instagram using Videoleap at the moment. This has helped shape visual ideas around some of my songs.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Years ago, I remember dancing drunk in circles with a friend at a pub party. Pretty soon we became a spiralling tornado that went off the dance floor, through an exit door and down a stair well. It would have been easier to leave.
Life on the road can be... More recently being 'on the road' has been about solo travel for me rather than touring as a performer. It can be an awesome adventure and sometimes stressful being in the moment in a state of constant motion with others, sharing highs, lows, fatigue and everything in between.
Travel is about experiencing and adapting to all sorts. Being an introvert, I find following my instincts and opening up to new people comes more easily when I'm on the road.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Hot pepperoni pizza. Vodka. Lime. Soda. Humour.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... I once got pursued by a guy who randomly ran up behind me, took me at knife point, while whispering threats in my ear outside a dodgy nightclub in Tottenham, London. I didn't engage with him, he gave up. I went and had pizza and a vodka.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Peter Garrett. His integrity, vision, power and passion impresse the socks off me.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Betanzos, Spain. It's beautiful, historic, friendly, Spanish, near the beach. A great place to chill.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Ok, so I'm inviting six. Unfortunately a few are dead.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono for their other word insights, poetry and feisty humour. Barack and Michelle Obama for their unique modern perspectives as American leaders. Annie Lennox for her activism and beautiful musical soul. David Bowie for his aesthetic, humour, and intellect.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'd ask you first but you should try my duck pie, chips and salad.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? A lover of all fur balls. Cats are comic artists. Dogs never leave the party. Wombats are like grumpy old men.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Macallan 24 year old. Yummy.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... The last time I saw the inside of a gym? I know what's going on in there.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Cleaning toilets. . . because while cleaning you realise what's going to happen to it next.
Do you have any phobias... I wouldn't say I am coulrophobic but I do have a growing fear of clowns. What I fear most is that humans won't learn from the past and change their ways on this planet.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I would prefer to be an alien in a sci-fi or do a nature doco.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I did it once to a merchant banker flatmate who constantly pranked his friends in a really cruel way. So before I parted ways with him, I put cockroaches under his doona.
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? Is Sydney open after 11pm? Try 'the milk bar by Cafeish' in Redfern if the hunger bites earlier than 2am.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Maybe Aragorn from 'The Lord Of The Rings' because I can sometimes be secretive.
Last show you binge-watched (and what kept you glued to the screen)? 'Raised By Wolves'; for its vision of a new world, the twists on religion and parenting, and the necromancer in silver lycra.
