Cassettiquette | Indie pop rock band out of CLT talks with Greazy Keyz in the rBeatz.com Studio

What’s going on rBeatz fam? Welcome to another segment of Local Music Somewhere with your host Greazy Keyz. I’m here today with a couple of great folks. I have Miss Emma Freas and Connor Hausman of the band Cassettiquette and we’re gonna talk a little bit about the band and how you guys got started and what you guys got coming up. Welcome to the studio.

Thanks, man. Thanks for having us. 

Yeah. Thank you. 

Very cool. So the band Cassettiquette, tell me a little bit about the background there like, how did you guys meet and where’d the band name come from?

So, I played in other bands, kind of playing around with The Business People and stuff like that. Then we ended up taking hiatus and separating ways. After COVID, I kind of had all these songs that I wanted to play and Hyatt Morril from The Business People who were like, let’s try to do it. And then we got a drummer in and started messing around. And then Emma works at Ground Crew sound with me. So she is an amazing piano player and I was like yeah! 

Join a band. So Connor, you’ve had experience playing with bands over the past few years. And I’ve known you in the scene for a while. Emma, my first time meeting you, it’s very cool to meet you and welcome you into the scene. So tell us about yourself and your musical background.

Yeah so, I actually went to Queen’s University of Charlotte and studied music there.  I have played piano pretty much all my life. I started when I was like six years old and loved it ever since. It’s like my biggest passion so, once I graduated from Queens, I just knew I was like I want to pursue this full time. So I’ve got multiple jobs as a musician does, but just like working at the studio with Connor, which is so fun. And then I like lead worship at my church and then teach piano lessons. 

I can relate to all those facets of your musical career being a piano player as well.

So are you classically trained? Is that how you describe yourself? 

Yes.

So with that sort of background, I know with my experience, if you’re classically trained, playing like pop music, rock music, maybe more challenging because you’re not so ear reliant. But tell us about your background with that. Like, how do you balance playing by ear versus by sheet music? 

Yeah, that definitely was something that I had to get used to. 

Yeah, right, yeah. 

Like, joining the band. ‘Cause I’m like, where’s the sheet music? 

Right, right. 

But yeah, I’ve tried to teach myself how to hear better and train my ear. And I feel like the band has helped me so much grow in that area. 

She didn’t need much help. She was pretty quick. 

I’m sure. I mean, you’d be playing your whole life. I’m sure the transition wasn’t impossible, but I can understand it. It could be a challenge to go from reading sheet music and knowing what you’re going to be playing versus kind of playing off the cuff, maybe by ear, and developing your own parts.

Exactly. 

That’s really cool. 

I’m still learning, but it’s so fun. 

Always learning, right? So you both work at Ground Crew Studio, which is a fantastic sound production studio here in town. You guys do everything from voiceover recording to sound design for movies and film, right? Tell us a little bit about that. 

We cast a lot of voiceover for commercial stuff ranging from like Harris Teeter to NASCAR, to anything in between, do a lot of commercial stuff there. And then we also do a lot of ADR for a lot of production companies out of the west coast and Atlanta. So we get to work on some pretty cool projects. 

That’s awesome.

A lot of which I can’t talk about. 

I love that, I understand, that’s understandable. So how did you guys meet to form a band?   

How did we meet? 

So she actually interned for my dad at Hot Saki. I met her then and she kind of did some scoring with him and kind of got on the ropes for all that.

Oh fantastic.

And then I realized how good she was. And she’s super nice and easy to work with. So I was like, it seemed kind of like a natural. Like, no, you hang up!

So yeah, it’s funny how you could be as talented as anybody, but if you’re easy to work with and get along well with people, that is a huge boost. 

Yeah, I’ve definitely learned that’s the most important thing of any band is having people that you trust and you can work through things with, ’cause there’s always gonna be stuff that comes up, and you guys being able to talk it over, and just kind of be level with each other. It’s kind of the most important thing, I think. 

And it’s not easy to find. 

No. 

It’s true, it’s true. 

I feel like with us it was helpful ’cause we were friends first and co -workers, so it’s like we knew each other so well.

Yeah, it was just kind of another thing that we’re involved with with each other. 

Yeah, very cool, very cool. So, Cassettiquette as a band, pretty new to the scene. We were just talking a little bit before the show. You guys have played what, three shows so far?

Yeah, we’ve played Petras and Snug Harbor a couple times, and then things have been been kinda moving forward pretty quickly for us, which is awesome. 

That’s great. 

And so we’re kinda starting to book out more. We’re working out throughout the year now and just kinda trying to move as quickly as we can, really. 

Right, right.

And just keep stuff booked and keep having fun. 

Booking shows, working on an EP, you say, right? 

Yeah, we’re going into Susu Studios with Jason Scavone next month. So we have six days booked right now, and so we’ll be releasing singles before the end of the year, and just kind of starting to do all the things like post on social media, and do all the stuff that I forget to do a lot.

Yeah, it is the whole other side of the business, you know, besides just playing gigs is your social media content. 

The music industry has definitely changed a lot. 

So with your recording, you guys, is it gonna be EP links like six songs you said? 

I think five or six is the goal. If we can get five knocked out and have extra time, we’ll do six. 

Right, and then release them as singles? 

Yeah, I’ll probably release like three singles and then do like an EP release party kind of thing. 

Very cool. So, how would you describe the sound of your band? 

Indie pop rock we’ve gotten compared to like Band of Horses. We take a lot of inspiration from like Death Cab for Cutie.

Oh, yeah. It’s kind of my hero in that range where it’s like, try to make some of the music sound happy while also, if you listen where it’s pretty sad. 

Yeah, you guys are just starting out, but you’re already getting some media attention. You know, we got you here at rBeatz. You were recently featured in QC Nerve, right? 

Yeah, that was kind of random.

Yeah, how was that? You guys were on the cover of QC Nerve. 

Yeah, I didn’t know they were gonna be on the cover at all. Justin LaFranceois from QC Nerve reached out and he was like, “Hey, do you want to do a quick write up?” And I was like that’s super cool, we’re just starting out. We did a little interview with Ann over there and when I went to go pick up the paper, I was like, “Oh, I’m on the front, that’s so cool.” I was like, “Mom, guess what?” 

I love that. So, what sets you apart from other bands in the scene? Or where do you guys sort of see yourself fitting in with the local original music scene? 

I think something that kind of sets us apart is that while our songs can be harder topics and stuff like that, I can’t help but fill in between with being weird and just being us for just kind of goofy from the get -go. So we’re gonna say some stupid things. No, I think we just genuinely put fun at the center of it, and I think we’re all just kind of a little family. And it’s beyond music and everything else.

And your lyrics are really good. He writes some good stuff.

I was gonna say, with your songwriting process, how does that come? You mentioned like you kind of had some a backlog of material that you had written with some other folks, maybe bring that back to light or are you guys writing brand new things? 

I have a journal that I just kind of write random snippets of stuff in and when I’m writing a new song, I’ll just kind of go through it and be like “oh that was cool”, pulsing from there. A lot of times when I’m writing a new song, I’ll just kind of let the melodies form and then some words will come out and be like, that’s what this is about, you know, I kind of go from there. 

So primarily your songs so far, you’ve been the primary songwriter? 

Yeah, we’re working on a Emma Freas original right now. It’s going to be pretty cool, pretty excited about that one. But so far, yeah, it’s been mainly me bringing the bones to the band and then pushing it out and really making them whole. 

It’s been really collaborative, which is awesome. Yeah, Connor will come to practice with like a guitar riff and some lyrics, and then he’ll be like, “Y ‘all write your own parts,” which to me is so fun because I was like, “Oh, yes.” 

Yeah. 

So, yeah, I feel like we all kind of write them together, which is really cool. It’s like we’re all creating art and it’s ours. 

Yeah, that’s great to hear. So, I know you guys haven’t played out many gigs, but any fun, memorable or unforgettable experiences at a live show yet? Anything crazy happen? 

I mean, our last show at Snug (Harbor) was a blast. I remember we did the “Cover the Tears for Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

Oh, fantastic. 

We cover every show just to kind of throw one out. We did “Tears for Fears,” and they went really well. 

I remember looking out and seeing like the disco ball going and everyone cheering. And I knew, I was like, this is really fun.

It’s Tears for Fears. It doesn’t get much better than that. So I kind of pulled a cheat card on that one. 

So and I love the name, Cassettiquette again. Phonetically, a wonderful word to say. 

It’s like Mississippi. It is kind of have to every time there’s an option for two letters. You just have to double it. 

Fun to say, maybe a little tricky to spell. 

Yes. 

Right? Kind of long on the font.

In the beginning, I was like, how is it spelled? (laughing) I had to decide. Just make your own word. 

So yeah, so what is the inspiration of the name? 

It’s a funny story.

Did you guys, are you guys old enough to have used cassettes? You know? 

Oh yeah. Barely, barely. My bass player, Hyatt Morril, who I started the whole thing with. Sitting at his house. We would cook dinner and drink beers in his backyard and we were inside cooking something and his cat, his name Cassette. The coolest cat you’ve ever met in your entire life. I had a few drinks and I was like, man, Cassette’s got such good etiquette, dude. It’s such a polite, nice cat. 

I love your drunk voice.(laughing) 

And he was like, that’s great. And then his wife was like, how do you spell it? And I was like, ah, stop it. 

Yeah, right, how do you spell that? It’s funny, ’cause I happened to see a headline recently, actually an article talking about cassette etiquette. 

Really? 

It’s like an actual thing. And I was like, oh, you gotta rewind your cassettes. 

I’m glad they didn’t steal the name.

Get on that trademark while you can, right? 

That’s fantastic. Do you know any lawyers?

Yes I do, I can get you in touch with someone, no worries on that side.

Perfect, perfect, I can’t pay anything. 

Well, that might be the problem. It’s not cheap. So, going into the studio with Jason Scavone at Susu, you see maybe like five or six songs. So when you go in, is he gonna be working as a producer or engineer? 

Yeah, he’s gonna be kind of doing all of it. That was one of the main reasons I wanted it, because I’ve been a fan of Jason for a long time and he’s one of my favorite singer -songwriters in the state. So, having the opportunity to work with him is pretty amazing. 

The state, that’s a great way to put it. I’ve worked with Jason in that he’s in the studio and outside of the studio. He’s definitely a person that you want to listen to. You know, he is very cool about, if you want him just to wear the engineer hat, he’s more than happy to do that. But I think you’re missing the boat with a talent that if he has anything to say, you know, listen to him and follow his direction. 

Yeah, we had coffee and he said the same thing. He’s like, I can just push the buttons if you want, I was like, I’m not gonna waste your time. 

Well, I think it’s really wise of you guys, So, you guys are gonna perform for us here in a few minutes, but Conn, I wanna show the guitar you’ve had made. It’s a custom Jack Cobes guitar. Tell us a little bit about the Jack Cobes guitar. 

So, I’ve had this guitar for Like almost 15 years. I spent all of my high school graduation money on it. My mom did not approve of but my dad being who he is was like, yeah, right! I’ve played this guitar, I’ve written most of my songs on it. It’s a beast. 

It’s a beautiful guitar and one of a kind really, right? 

Yeah, I think all of Jack Cobe’s are pretty much. 

Yeah, Jack Cobe’s is called a luthier, a guitarist in his own right, but his luthier work is just amazing. He’s built several guitars that I’ve seen local artists use and even national artists. And so it was really cool to walk in and see you play it. And honestly, and it’s kind of vintage now, 15 year old guitar, it looks like it’s held up well. 

Yeah, I’ve taken pretty good care of it. 

Does he service it for you? 

Yeah, yeah, I mean, well, you know, take it back to the dude who made it. 

That’s wise, that’s wise. Very cool, so you guys have a favorite song in your repertoire that you’re most excited about, like to record or to play live? 

The one we’re gonna perform today. 

Oh yeah, very cool. 

I think that one was a pretty good one. Also excited about Dreams and then Descent of Grades, that’s more upbeat, pretty fun. 

Very cool. 

Pop Rock tune. 

So, I know you said you’re recording, you know, four or five songs for the EP, but when you play a live set, are you guys playing like 45 minute, hour long sets, you know, doing a couple covers? 

That’s the range we’re looking to play. Some of our gigs, you know, some local shows have shorter windows where you can kind of set up, tear down, so sometimes it ends up only being like 35 minutes or so. But we try to fit in as much as we can. 

Right. That’s great. Speaking of shows. It’s Thursday today, but you guys have a show coming up this Saturday, right? Tell us about that. 

We’re gonna be at Wooden Robot in Noda, the Chamber location. It’s for their big ninth anniversary party, which we’re just stoked that we get to be part of that. 

Very cool. 

There’s gonna be puppies there. 

Oh, man. 

They have a rescue event earlier in the day. It’s gonna be pretty cool. 

Are you guys gonna be the only band featured or is it gonna be like– 

No, we have DJ Smitty’s opening up, And then we have Regents, we have Noir Noir and Moonshaker, it’s a pretty good lineup. But Noir Noir, we share a practice space with so we’re pretty excited.

I love that. Yeah, so it should be pretty fun. Who are some of your songwriting influences would you say?

I love Ben Gibbard. I said that already. Glenn Hansard from The Frames was kind of a big big one growing up. I love the Strokes. That whole genre, Two Door Cinema Club, kind of all over the place.

We listened to them on the way over here.

I was like man, I’ve been on a Two Door kick. I was like that’s a good side.

That’s very cool. 

Yeah, but I think Ben Gibbard and just his lyricism and while keeping it poignant but also having the music make it fun and relatable is kind of where I’m aiming most of the time. 

Yeah, I love Death Cab but I’ve also really enjoyed this Postal Service.

Oh dude, I just saw them come through. Death Cab and Postal Service in Raleigh. 

Oh, really? Oh, I didn’t know

It was incredible.

That is so cool. 

Yeah, Death Cab came out in all black and then they went back and they came out all white for Postal Service.

But Death Cab went on before Postal Service?

Yeah, it was interesting choice of lineup but Postal Service could be more like moving, so it kind of made sense. 

I love that. We got a few more minutes before we get into our live performance.

Anything else you guys would like to tell us about or share about yourselves or your band or music coming up? 

Yeah, we’ve got the EP coming up. We have another show booked in November at Snug Harbor. I can’t remember the date. 

I think it’s November 9th. Yeah, please. Don’t quote me on that. That’s with Jason, right? 

Maybe, no, I don’t know. But then we’re trying to put together a party event at Common Market South End. 

Oh, fantastic. 

‘Cause there’s a whole bunch of bands that kind of came out of that little pocket where a Common Market and Fat Burrito and Black Sheep were. It’s got like Noir Noir and Phantom Friends, we have Phantom Friends on board for next month, so we’re kind of trying to pitch it as a Common Market, South End Reunion. 

I love that, yeah. 

So, it’s pretty fun. Just gotta figure out all the details, but it’ll be August 17th. Saturday. 

And I know you said you’re getting ready to go into the studio, but do you have hopefully some sort of timeline for your EP release? 

I think we’ll probably get a single out within the month of finishing mixes and everything. So kind of aiming for early October, and then every six weeks, drop a single until it’s time to debut the whole thing and see what people think.

Very cool. 

And we’re going to be still writing originals, like in between all of that. I think we have hopes to write three more, at least. So we have like a good nine or so in our back pocket. 

For future recordings.

Are you gonna release it on cassette? That’s my question. 

That would be so cool.

I mean, I feel like it would be pretty stupid if I didn’t. (laughing) 

At least a few, right? 

No one will know how to play it. 

Can you even do that? 

I know, right? I got a guy.

Get the little mini, the little mini cassette. 

Right, oh yeah. 

I literally just found a cassette player that actually has a USB out so you can convert Cassettes to a wav file. 

He’ll post the link for it.

I think it’s from Target, something like that. Well, I love all this. That you guys are here in the studio and sharing all your stuff. I notice you like to play a Nord, right? 

Oh, yeah.  

I’m a Nord artist as well. We have a Nord stage here in studio, but what keyboard do you play? 

I play a Nord as well. It’s an Electro 4D, I believe. And I actually got it from Connor’s dad, which is really special. 

Oh yeah, very cool. 

And I love it. I play it at every gig. And the sounds that it has, it’s insane. And you can load up different sounds in the library. So I’m just like so excited to find new stuff and try it out. 

Yeah that was one of my preconceptions of them. I was like, it doesn’t have like synth sounds and stuff? But then I went on their website and I was like, oh, you can just download any batch that you want. 

Yeah, it’s amazing. Keyboard players, you know, we’re sort of techie nerds. And so Nord sort of fills that gap. You can literally customize your sound palette from the website. It’s pretty amazing, you know? 

And it’s cool for me because I grew up playing just a piano. So this is a whole new world for me, like playing a keyboard with different sounds. ‘Cause I’m used to just a baby grand. 

Your palette is just wide open. I love that. Well, cool. I tell you what, we’re gonna take a short break and have a word from our friends and sponsors and you guys can gear up and play a song for us. How’s that sound? 

Let’s do it. 

Sweet. 

*break*

Welcome back to rBeatz.com with Local Music Somewhere. Again, my name is Greazy Keyz, your host. I’m here with Emma Freas and Connor Hausman of Cassettiquette and they’re going to play one of their original songs for us.

Howdy y ‘all. 

Hey! 

Alright. This song is called “Thelma and Louise.” 

*song*

Fantastic job. Thank you Emma. Thank you Connor for coming in the band is Cassettiquette. Next show is this Saturday at Wooden Robot. 

The Chamber in Noda 

We go on at 7:45. 

Get there early cuz the line up sick.

Awesome. Well, thank you guys again for coming into rBeatz and wishing you all the best and hopefully catch up with you very soon.

Yeah, thank you so much. 

Thank you guys.