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Full disclosure: I’ve had a huge crush on Cassie for a while now. When I got the chance to talk to her, we covered the basics and got the details on her new music, but I also took this interview as an opportunity to talk about what kind of shampoo she uses, the music she’s listening to, her favorite tattoo, and the impending feud with Skrillex. And yes, I asked her out on a date.
Interview by Midas
Hi, how’s it going?
Good! How are you?
Good, I’m Brendan from Pigeons & Planes, calling for a phone interview.
OK, no problem. Nice to meet you.
[Giggles] Nice to meet you too. So, your second album is coming out somewhat soon, right?
Probably not until next September, actually.
Can you tell me a little bit about it?
Yeah, well, I’ve been working on it for quite a while. I want to say like three or four years, almost.
I had different stages of things, I would make a lot of R&B records, then I would make a bunch of pop records. I would make a bunch of dance records and then something else crazy. And it finally came to last year I finally found a sound and everything started coming together. I’ve been working with and what we’re keeping so far, I’ve worked with Jean Baptiste, Rico Love, Danja… Let me see who else, there are some other, younger, up-and-coming writers and producers on the album too. What actually happened, based on me trying these different things and spending time on one thing at a time, is how the album came together. The album isn’t just one sound, there’s a little bit of ska, a little bit of hip-hop, some pop, dance. It’s kind of cool.
If you could describe what you’ve got in 3 words, what would they be?
Um, I would have to say colorful [Laughs]. What’s a good word for having it being an album for girls? Not girl-power, don’t put that. Colorful, alive, happy. Wait, can I say one more thing?
Yeah.
Can I have four? Real. Actually, take out happy, put in real [Laughs].
OK, does that mean the album is personal?
Yeah! Yeah, there are definitely some tracks on there that are, you know, you have to have life experience in there and you have to talk about what’s really going on in your life in order to have people to connect with it. So yeah, there’s some real in there.
Cool. What kind of music have you been listening to for the past month?
Ooh, the past month I’ve been listening to SBTRKT and the Drive soundtrack.
Wow, very good choices. I’m impressed. What do you think of Limp Bizkit signing with Cash Money?
I didn’t even know about that! When did that happen?
Recently, definitely recently.
Wow, that’s dope. They’ve been signing a bunch of people right now, haven’t they?
Yeah, they’re going nuts.
[Laughs] Well, I think that’s pretty dope.
Click next or hit shift + right to get to the good part…
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Do you think that Skrillex stole your haircut?
[Laughs] We were just having this discussion yesterday. My friend told me I look like Skrillex and I should probably do a record with him. I was like, “I’m trying. He’s a hard guy to get in touch with.”
You do not look like Skrillex, but the hair is the same.
I’m wondering how long he’s had it for, how long has he had it for? Maybe before I did.
I don’t know, but you should start a beef with him, write a diss song.
[Laughs] OK, if he doesn’t work with me, I will start a beef.
Good. What’s your favorite color?
Red.
That was a quick answer. Why?
Why? Because it’s bright, it’s vibrant. I’m wearing red pants today, actually.
Excellent choice. Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Dog person.
Do you have a dog?
I don’t have one, but my family does back in Connecticut. They have two boxers, a bulldog and a Yorkie.
That’s awesome. I think I’m going to get a bulldog.
Oh my god, get it. Mine – he’s an English Bulldog, he is huge.
Yeah, that’s the kind I want to get [Note: his name is going to be Nigel]
OK, yeah. What originally happened—this is kind of a funny story, but not really—I was in New York, I had just started recording the second album and I was like, “Oh, I’m lonely, I want a dog.” So I went online, and I saw these miniature bulldogs. Do those exist? I’m looking up bulldogs right now. Anyway, I found one, and they mailed it to me like the next week [Laughs], well not mailed, I had to pick it up at the airport. But I ordered him online. Turns out, he was like double the size of a normal English Bulldog. He was huge. But my dad fell in love with him, so he kept him.
That’s nice of him.
Yeah.
Which do you like best: ketchup, mustard or barbeque sauce?
Hm. Ketchup.
Do you believe in aliens?
Yes. I am an alien. [Laughs]
You are an alien? From which planet?
Um, it’s really hard to understand. I would have to click and stuff to say it, so I don’t think you’d understand.
Ah, got it. Language barrier.
It’s actually funny, on Twitter my bio is “We are not the same :: I am an _______!” and everybody is always like, “What are you?” [Laughs] I am an alien, does nobody know that song?
I saw you wore sweatpants to a fashion show recently.
[Laughs]
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Are you a more of a sweatpants girl or was a that a fashion statement and you really like to get dressed up?
I’m more of a sweatpants girl… sweatpants and jeans. That was the first time I had ever done that, and I only went to one show for Fashion Week like that. It was just something different for me and I thought it was kind of cool.
Yeah, I did too. The magazine I read it in didn’t seem to like it, but I thought it looked good.
[Laughs] Thank you.
Do you have any tattoos?
I do, I have about eight, I think.
Wow, a lot of tattoos.
It’s all little ones, just letters and stuff [Laughs].
Which is your favorite?
I have a white tattoo on the inside of my forearm that says “No Regrets.” That one, and I have one that’s underneath my right arm, it’s a V for Ventura, which is my last name.
What’s your favorite city in the world?
In the world? You know what? I used to always say Tokyo, but I haven’t been there in a while. New York is my favorite city. I currently have an apartment there. I’m never there, though.
Do you work out of L.A.?
Yeah, I’m in L.A. right now, I’ve been here for a minute. I spent most of the project out here.
What do you like to do in New York?
I’m kind of a foodie person, I just like to go out and eat, that’s kind of my thing. It’s great that it worked out that I’m here in LA because I can get work done, all my friends are in New York. We go out late, everything stays open longer, I don’t know. I feel like New York is an amazing place for any young person to go and just learn about life. It’s just the best place to live.
What kind of shampoo do you use?
[Laughs] Um, it varies! And then sometimes I have hair stylists and stuff, so…[Laughs] I would say… put Nexus.
Nexus? Final answer?
Yes.
So if we went on a date, would you want me to cook for you or take you out to a restaurant?
Cook. Only if you’re a good chef, though.
I am, I think. Maybe. What kind of food should I make?
Italian.
OK, I can do that. After that, do you want to go to a movie, or a bar or something?
[Laughs] We could try out the movie thing at home, or a bar might be fun. Change up the scenery?
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. So next time we’re in the same city, you call me?
Yes, definitely. We’ll make a date. [Laughs].
Great, that sounds delightful. I’m going to quit while I’m ahead, thanks for talking with us!
