Front Deck Boom Box: Cassidy-Rae

New South Wales artist Cassidy-Rae is back with One More Song, a joyous number dedicated to fans who simply love music and can’t resist the “one more song” encore chant. We hear plenty about how people don’t like encores anymore, but for those who do, they’re finally represented, courtesy of Cassidy-Rae.

One of Countrytown’s Artists Of The Week (January 2022), Cassidy-Rae started turning heads in her local community as a little two-year-old singer. From school choirs to graduating from the Country Music Academy of Australia, Cassidy-Rae has performed at the Groundwater Country Music Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sydney Blues & Roots Festival, and many more.

Known for channelling contemporary pop with traditional country music, Cassidy-Rae’s Front Deck Boom Box song choices align with her own music, with local and international artists represented in her picks.

To celebrate the release of One More Song, we caught up with Cassidy-Rae for her Front Deck Boom Box. Check out her choices below.

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) - Taylor Swift 

How could I not include Taylor Swift in my boom box right now?! Taylor Swift is an incredible songwriter and female artist, who inspired me not just growing up, but in the way that I perform and write.

Speak Now was initially written in the early years of Taylor Swift, but her re-recordings show a new maturity, not just to the words in the song, but the delivery. There is still the fanciful instrumentation that sweeps me back to the first time hearing this love song, accompanying the lyrics that make me want to run away with the dream guy. 

I love that she re-recorded her albums, and I’m playing this song on repeat till her concert in Sydney. I’m ready to unashamedly scream-sing these songs at the top of my lungs. #swiftie 

FAVOURITE LINE: “I am not the kind of girl who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion.”

Rules of Breaking Up - Hudson Rose

Rules of Breaking Up has only been on the airwaves for a short while, but I fell in love with it before it even came out. I was getting into the melody and laughing along with Hudson Rose on her socials. I was super keen to press play on release day, and it’s been on repeat ever since! Hudson’s chorus rhymes had me dancing along - “As a reaction, or a distraction, cause I ain’t giving you the satisfaction”.

But the concept really hit from the first lines, which are my favourite lines of this song, “If there was a textbook, I’d have read it. Sittin’ in the front row every lesson.” This would be playing on my front deck boom box, and all I can say is, “I can’t wait to see the music video!”

FAVOURITE LINE: “If there was a textbook, I’d have read it. Sittin’ in the front row every lesson."

Country Proud - Taylor Moss 

Taylor Moss is KILLING IT (in a good way) in the Australian Country Music scene. I love the tunes, the lyrics, and the girl-get-it energy she is giving off in her new song Country Proud, so it is on my Front Deck Boom Box! I completely vibe with this song; I’m country proud!  Also, shoutout to MSquared! Such an amazing production on this track. I always love the work and talent from these guys! 👏👏👏

FAVOURITE LINE: “Radio underneath the stars, Billy Ray and his achy heart.”

Get the Girl - Seaforth

I have been fangirling over Seaforth’s music for a while now, and I loved seeing them play live at Groundwater Country Music Festival 2022 (and reporting on it right here on Countrytown)! Every song is SO CLEVER in the concept. All of their music gets me hooked; their vocals have my heart melting, and their latest single, Get the Girl, is no exception. I was hooked from the first listen, and by the final chorus, I was singing along like I’d listened 30 times (which I totally have). 

The harmonies are like dopamine, and the alternating solos from the duo make me feel like they aren’t just singing the words to sing a song, but rather, they are feeling everything and, in turn, making me feel the same.

FAVOURITE LINE: “Walk up to the door that you already closed.”

Some Things Never Change - James Johnston, Zac & George

James Johnson has been killing it, and this latest song is fuel to the fire! The collaboration with Zac & George was a perfect choice, suiting not just the guys’ personalities but vocally as well. With anthemic lyrics that are reminiscent of a good night catching up with friends and music that blends the best of the Nashville Country and Aussie Country sound, this song is playing loud and proud on my front deck.

Even with the lyrics of “brother”, I feel like one of the crew. If you haven’t seen your mates in a while, this song is great to play. It reminds you of the good nights had and the good nights to come. It makes you miss them just a little less.

FAVOURITE LINE

“Sitting here with a cold beer and an old friend, it’s a good thing; some things never change”.