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OOC: Trying to change up the way I'm dong songs on here now, because I've gotten bored of writing out the whole "description" piece by piece and then a whole "artist says" part. Hopefully this works, I've tried lacing both of these elements into two articles rather than having it all separate :) PS. The song is at the bottom, so please have a look. Danke.
Cassie Summers releases second country single as album precursor Former punk rocker again showcases her softer side with second country ballad. She reached number two in the charts with her comeback single earlier this year, before heading off on a largely successful European tour with music's new sensation Ada von Wannamaker. Now the girl we all thought we knew, Cassie Summers is set to capitalise on the momentum she built for herself by releasing a second promotional single, part of a preview to an album she has promised her fans in the few short months ahead. The 19-year old has forged an all new career for herself in the world of country following various failed projects, and has finally found her niche, garnering massive praise for her debut Cryin' on My own, released in the early weeks of 2013. With her pop-punk style a thing of the past, replaced by a beautiful elegance that belies her earlier character, Cassie Summers is a changed girl and a real star of the future. Her follow up, Understudy, is described as being a classic country song that is as emotional as it is beautiful. Fans were surprised to see and hear Cassie baring her softer side to the world earlier this year, but will be delighted to know that the 19-year old is sticking to the method that brought her a large degree of success and massive acclaim across the board with her follow up. The song looks into notions of jealousy, lost love and insecurity, all of which Cassie said come from her own experiences of life. It is hard to forget, given her formerly massively tough exterior, that Cassie is still just a teenage girl. In spite of her failed marriage to Jason Smith and the fact she is a mother to three kids at a tender age, she still has all the experiences and worries of the average teenager, which she can now finally use her music to express in ways she never could in the past. Speaking of the single, Cassie said: "I think this is something I can be proud of, perhaps even more so than my last single. I've kinda settled into a genre now, with the release of two singles, and I feel like it's where I belong. I always dreamed of being a rock star, but moving into country has shown me that music can be a place for me to display all my emotions and put across my true feelings. It's good therapy, and it makes for some of the most honest and truthful lyrics that I've ever personally produced. This is definitely the mindset, genre, and professional position I want to be in for years to come.
"In terms of Understudy, it was an idea that just came to me one night. I was sat with my guitar and I had a moment of recollection about some sad times in my past where I've felt inferior to other girls, and been in love with a guy who wanted someone else more than he wanted me. I think girls can connect with those sort of emotions. We've all had them as teenagers. That's what makes this song what it is. People I've played it for so far said it's something they can really connect with and feel a part of. I think it's important that any song leaves you thinking "yeah...I know what she means", and I hope this one does that for a lot of people. Every word is true and every emotion is real, so I think it makes it sound sweet, personal and a little sad. It made me cry a few times.
"This is also my most adventurous tune as well. I love that fact. I mean, on the surface it might sound like a typical country track, but there are so many layers to it. I love the contrast between the simple and basic verses, where the words are most important, to the bigger and more adventurous chorus. It all mixes so well. I like to believe I thought outside the box when I was writing it, and to me it sounds like the sort of thing I want to associate with the name Cassie Summers. That's important to me, and if other people like what I do, then that'll make me smile to, you know?"The new single will be released via Studio60 records on April 27th, before the youngster sets to work on a debut solo album, which she will work on with Scott RH as her producer. She sees this as a furthering of her coming of age with regards to her music, proving herself as one of the most exciting new stars in the world of music. She may never have the universal appeal of Nadia Berry or Vanity, but what Cassie brings to the table is a sweet honesty and a connection to her music that no one can fail to realise. She sings every lyric from the heart, a believable vocal performance that will bring a tear to the eye of many a listener, old or new. Understudy will be released as a digipack on USB stick, standard CD and limited edition 12" vinyl. Fans who downloaded the first single (download only) will be eligible to purchase a special edition single that includes a vocal only edition of both Understudy and Cryin' on my Own. A second special edition is available for those who purchased tickets to Ada's tour, which features a three-song segment from the recording in Brussells, Belgium in April 2013. This live performance includes the two singles Cryin' on my Own and Understudy, as well as a country music cover of the song Lonely by Akon. Following the release of the new single, Summers is set to head into the studio to record her debut album as a solo artist with legendary producer and musician Scott RH, for whom she also works on a part-time basis as an assistant at Chaos Records. The two will record the album in RH's own studio at his NYC home, and Cassie hopes to have physical copies of the record on shelves around the globe at some point during the summer. "The album is almost all written. It's something I've been working on for a while, and I just need to get the tracks laid down and mixed to the highest standard possible. That's where Scott comes in. It's an exciting and nerve-wracking time for me. I can't wait though. Everything appears to be looking up for my career." --- Country Music Weekly Review - Cassie Summers - UnderstudyWhen Cassie Summers came to our attention in January with her country debut, you may remember that we expressed surprise in these here pages over how well she had executed a country song that not only sounded good, but also told a tale and had the range of emotions to make it a hit. Fast forward three months, and a second single from the same girl lands in our inbox. This time, the task is a lot harder for Cassie. With no prior expectations, getting our attention with her debut was a little easier than what she had to do with this - keep our interest and prove that she has the skill and staying power to be a name we should all take notice of as a potential country star of the future. So, does Cassie deliver with her follow up, Understudy? In short, yes. The long answer is heck, yeah, she does! This song is as emotional as it is catchy, and it delivers a memorable moment of the year that could also prove to be a defining moment in the career of Cassie Summers. Its theme is challenging, different, layered, yet still something that we all experienced as young women. The music itself is dark and mysterious, but it conveys a tune that you would be hard-pressed to forget any time soon, delivering catchy little hooks on guitar and a chorus that will ring true with many of us for a long time. If you are driving to the supermarket this week and you find yourself humming a little tune, it will most likely be this catchy little number. It's just that interesting and memorable, and while embedding itself in the brain is not always necessarily a good thing (see Gangnam Style, Call me Maybe and any number of songs sung by animals (crazy Frog, Hamster Song etc)), in this case it most certainly is. The song is a joy from its opening moments. The breaths of Cassie can be heard on record, as if she is holding a mic close to her mouth before the song begins. The guitar comes in with a soft, very slow finger picking intro, lamenting what we already know to be a sad moment in someone's life. The sound of fingers sliding on the strings brings an authenticity to the intro, while the breathy backing provided by Summers herself somehow effectively portrays someone deep in thought, remembering a time when they were wronged, hurt or hard done by. The verses themselves are as bare as they are beautiful. With a slight echo over her voice, Cassie is assisted only by her own acoustic guitar throughout the verses, and the two walk hand-in-hand, triumphantly across each of the sections. Choruses are a whole different kettle of fish, with the vulnerable and quiet voice of Cassie making way for more of a powerful vocal. The drums come in and her guitar almost sings its own catchy and fantastic song throughout as she sings her way flawlessly through the main theme of the song - the idea of being second in line to someone else in love, and wanting so badly to be in the position they are in. It's perfect. See, for those not totally on board with the whole country genre, let's make one thing clear - the story is the major point of any song, and this is where Cassie is strongest. She covers everything from the literal notion of being an understudy in a play, waiting for a chance to shine, to the heartbreaking tale of being in love but not being able to get the person she wants so badly. The story tugs on the heart strings, which is vitally important. But it's not a sob story. We never feel like we're being led astray and told a load of old bull crap here. Cassie strikes the balance really well, and she has done something that will strike a chord for a lot of youngsters, girls especially. This one has a lot of talent, and she ain't afraid to show what she can do. This girl is clearly not a flash in the pan after this. It would have been all too easy for people to write her off as nothing more than a blogger and columnist after she failed to make it as a mainstream pop artist. But her performances on tv show The Voice, followed by two exquisitely delivered country tacks prove that she has more to her than may meet the eye. This is a young girl who has gone off and learned her trade. A singer who has practiced hard and worked even harder to prove herself in a market that is among the most unforgiving around. The first single was little more than a demo of what she could do - an indicator that she had the skill to pull off a really classy country song, but the follow up proves that she has the ability to rise to the very top of this genre and stay there for years to come. Ladies and gentlemen, tip your hats. The time for writing off Cassie Summers is over. This girl just proved herself to be a true starlet, and we can't wait for her album to be released. Make a space on your trophy cabinet, Cassie. The country music awards this year are gonna be all about you! Star Score: 4.3/5
Understudy Artist: Cassie Summers
Track: Understudy
Genre: Country
Length: 3:15
Written by: C. Summers
Producer(s): Scott RH
Label: Studio 60
Release: April 27th 2013A jealous rage has turned to ingrained sadness and tears,
A dream torn away left me feeling like a second choice,
You played on my insecurities, toyed with my deep set fears,
Now I'm too weak to speak up and project my lonely voice,
But I was swept aside, you stole the spotlight, time after time,
I've seen your name above mine, again you're topping the cast,
We all start at the bottom, but somehow you never had to climb
History so clouded, it seems like you never even had a pastI'm standing in the wings with desire in my heart,
Watching from the sidelines, hopin' to shine
I'll always be the bridesmaid to your work of art
Learnin' every last line in the shadow of your shrine
Turn my eyes away every time that you kiss,
Knowin' it's a chance I'll regret that I missed
Because I'm standin' forever in the darkness you cast,
Dreaming of a time when my laugh will be the last.Pull back the curtains to let the light shine on my face
Every seat filled, every ticket bought but they'll only see her smile
Another kick, a nudge, an elbow, to put me in my place
Flowers are flying, hands are clapping, we'll never reconcile
How does it feel, dancing in the heat of the spotlight
To be the name on everyone's lips, the apple of their eye
The day we met, I knew for sure you'd steal my limelight
I can never shake the sense of loss no matter how I tryI'm standing in the wings with desire in my heart,
Watching from the sidelines, hopin' to shine
I'll always be the bridesmaid to your work of art
Learnin' every last line in the shadow of your shrine
Turn my eyes away every time that you kiss,
Knowin' it's a chance I'll regret that I missed
Because I'm standin' forever in the darkness you cast,
Dreaming of a time when my laugh will be the last.You're a poster girl who got the face to launch a thousand ships,
The world is on my shoulders, you just have his hands upon your hips,
When will we he see me, I dream of a kiss at every dress rehearsal
Praying through my constant tears for a momentary role reversal
How must it feel to be blessed with looks and love and adulation,
I'd give away all I've got to breathe and feel the same sensation,
Propping up another bar, drinking accented by the blues,
What I wouldn't give for a chance to walk in your shoesI'm standing in the wings with desire in my heart,
Watching from the sidelines, hopin' to shine
I'll always be the bridesmaid to your work of art
Learnin' every last line in the shadow of your shrine
Turn my eyes away every time that you kiss,
Knowin' it's a chance I'll regret that I missed
Because I'm standin' forever in the darkness you cast,
Dreaming of a time when my laugh will be the last.Stood upon your stage,
You're the star in all their eyes
Turn to another page
You're still the star, and I still cry
Dancing in the dark,
Your beauty lights up every room
the contrast ever stark
I feel encased in my own tomb
I'm not who you thought I was
No longer one to bear my claws
She's a star for every season
Even without rhyme nor reason
A star on broadway, now she's destined for the walk of fame
I wish I could treat this life just like it was a game
Even if I did, I know, it's still one I would lose
So empty, bereft of anything, it's not what I would choose
We're all destined to be known to have our burst of fame
Is 15 minutes long enough to extinguish her bright flame?
What would I do, if I was ever given my own chance
I'd treasure the moment, a tear in my eye
And I'd dance and dance and dance
Yeah, I would dance, dance and danceBecause I'm standing in the wings with desire in my heart,
Watching from the sidelines, hopin' to shine
I'll always be the bridesmaid to your work of art
Learnin' every last line in the shadow of your shrine
Turn my eyes away every time that you kiss,
Knowin' it's a chance I'll regret that I missed
Because I'm standin' forever in the darkness you cast,
Dreaming of a time when my laugh will be the last. |
