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CHANCE ENCOUNTER
Susan Jarvis
Sometimes it’s a chance encounter or simply being in the right place at the right time that can provide the elusive kick-start to a musical career.
Sunshine Coast singer/songwriter CASEY WATT has KEITH URBAN’s father Bob to thank for her start in country music.
"I was busking at the markets in Nambour [on the Sunshine Coast] one Sunday morning, and this lovely man suggested I should sing in the Gympie Muster Talent Search. I had no idea who he was then — but I’m glad I listened to him," she said.
"So off I went to the Muster with six guitar lessons under my belt and one of the first songs I’d ever written. I’ll never forget it — I performed in front of 1500 people and it was amazing."
Casey’s come a long way since then. She’s just released her debut album, Lead You Astray, and the word "amazing" still fits just as well.
Already the album — which features six of Casey’s beautifully crafted original songs — is attracting rave reviews from industry figures, and creating a groundswell of excitement amongst fans and the media.
Most of the excitement is being generated by Casey’s remarkable voice, which is simultaneously sweet, powerful, emotional and completely controlled. Simply listening to the sound of it is a pleasure, and the calibre of the songs she’s written and chosen simply adds to the experience.
"I’ve got a lot of gigs under my belt, singing all kinds of different musical styles. Over that time, I’ve really worked on developing my own vocal style — so I don’t sound like anyone else," Casey said.
Casey began songwriting several years ago, and says her time at the Tamworth College of Country Music in 2001 made a huge difference to her writing, giving her skills and techniques that enabled her to develop her craft.
She’s twice been a Toyota Star Maker Quest Grand Finalist — in 2002 and 2003 — and has included one of her Star Maker songs, the beautiful Carousel Cowboy, on the album.
The song was cowritten with Brisbane musician and producer BRENDAN RADFORD (amongst others), and that partnership has continued over the past few years, with the pair writing together, and Brendan doing an exceptional job of producing Lead You Astray.
Other songs they’ve written together include the intriguing, evocative Daddy Says, and Half The Fun, an out and out party song.
"Daddy Says was written after Brendan told me a story about a boy who’d accidentally shot his younger brother — and whose father was campaigning to help him get a gun licence a few years later. It really affected me," Casey said.
Brendan also joins Casey for a superb duet on the Townes Van Zandt classic If I Needed You.
Casey’s first single, I Don’t Want to Work This Hard was released to radio a few weeks back and has received an overwhelmingly positive response. Other highlights include Casey’s own composition, My Heart’s Always Calling Home, and It’s All Coming Back To Me Now. And the multi-talented JIM HAYNES has joined forces with Casey to pen one of the most memorable tracks on the album, Lead You Astray.
Two of Casey’s musical influences, CHAKA KAHN and BONNIE RAITT, are represented — the former by Love Me Still and the latter by a laid back version of Not The Only One.
"I really wanted the album to reflect who I am right now, as well as being representative of my live shows. My music’s the result of a lot of influences, a lot of styles — but my roots are definitely pure country," Casey said.
"It was important that there be light and shade, different styles and moods. But I always give everything to the songs — I sing every one like I’ve lived it, even if I haven’t written it."
Over the years, Casey’s notched up several accolades, including three consecutive Best Female Vocalist Awards at the Southeast Queensland Club Awards. She’s also just received an endorsement from Takamine Guitars.
Now her album has been released, Casey’s itching to get out on the road to promote it, and is hoping to appear at festivals across the country this year. She will start with the Mildura Country Music Festival later this month. She’s also hoping to support as many major artists as possible in the coming months.
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