In this interview spotlight, I chat with Casii Stephan about her newest release (Letters), motivations, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I’m originally from the Twin Cities area, but I’m currently a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma. How I write music is I love pop melodies, but I have soulful voice and then the band and I give the songs I write a rock feel, so it’s somewhere in the middle of those three genres.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?

I was 16 years old and a family friend challenged me to write my own song. I was firm in my belief that I couldn’t do it and I like being contrary, so I set out to prove him wrong, but ended up writing a song I actually liked. Others like it as well and that started the slightly addicting journey of writing out my emotions in the form of melody and, hopefully, witty lyrics.

I’m motivated whenever I write something new and it helps someone with their own life or it makes someone smile. Connection with people is my motivation.

How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?

With this new single called “Letters”, I really wanted to do something more true to what the band and I doing live in Tulsa. People really dig our sound and performance and I decided to risk it by not having a producer this go around. I produced it. The band played it and it is what it is. There’s some slight differences between the live performance and our recording, but overall, you’re getting this song without a bunch of edits. For better or worse. Ha!

I also set out to overcome my fear of producing something on my own. I learned a lot and I’m proud of it. I’m excited to do it again! 🙂

Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?

I feel like being a musician in a digital age comes with pros and cons just like being a musician in a non-digital age. They’re different, but they exist in both ages. The challenges I face are you definitely have to own your music as a business more. It’s not just about getting radio play or getting a certain show. You have to think about every single aspect and work on it. The flip side is because of that, I can own my own music. I get the opportunity to really own it and not have to rely on getting signed or somebody “discovering” me. That’s exciting.

Where can we follow you online and hear more music?

I have a website – www.casiistephan.com – which you can use to access my Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

Anything else before we sign off?

I hope you enjoy “Letters” as much as I enjoy performing it. It’s definitely one of the songs in the set that people love to hear. It’s a song about frustration with the online dating format. I know I’m not the only one that has gotten frustrated with that process. And it’s not even the apps that are the problem, sometimes the people are just… interesting. Some days, I’m convinced I’ll be single for life. Anyways, if you connect with it, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to reach out! Or just rock out to the song. Either way is good with me. 🙂