To truly understand the depth and talent of LA-based pop artist Casey Baer, one must immerse themselves in her powerful words. With raw emotion, relatability, and unwavering honesty, Baer's lyrics take listeners on a profound journey through heartbreak, personal challenges, and ultimately, self-growth. At just 22 years old, this singer/songwriter is making waves in the music industry, firmly establishing herself as both a popstar and a rockstar. Baer fearlessly writes captivating and introspective ballads inspired by her own experiences, aiming to remind her audience that they are never alone in life's trials and tribulations. With her stunning pop vocals and genuine authenticity, Casey Baer has undeniably become a formidable presence in the music sphere. Casey's talent has led her to share the stage with renowned artists like Jesse McCartney, WeThree, and Tokio Hotel during global tour runs that have included sold-out shows across Europe and the US. Additionally, she has had the honor of performing the national anthem at prestigious venues such as Madison Square Garden for the Knicks and Dodgers Stadium. Her ability to captivate both live and online audiences is unparalleled, evident in her rapidly growing social media following.
Her new single "PTXD" is a powerful and raw pop-rock anthem that delves into the concept of PTXD - post-traumatic ex disorder. Inspired by her own past romantic relationships, Casey opens up about the lasting impact toxic exes can have on our mental health. Produced by Sophie Simmons, this cathartic ballad showcases Casey reclaiming her power and expressing her emotions in a truly relatable way. With captivating vocals, clever lyrics, and an infectious hook, "ptxd" is the therapy session you didn't know you needed.
Take us back, do you recall the moment you told yourself "I'm going to make this my
career", describe that moment. What made you pursue this career?
Yes!! I absolutely do, crazy as it seems. One of my very first memories was at the Hilary Duff concert when I was three years old. I was bawling my eyes out because I wasn’t on stage with her, and all I could remember thinking was “I want to be up there!” At that moment, I promised myself that I would make that happen, and now here I am.
How would you describe your artistic style?
My music definitely exists in that big-pop realm. Some of my earliest inspirations include artists such as Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and Hilary Duff. In regards to my lyricism and the themes I explore frequently in my songs, I really put emphasis on capturing the raw and honest experiences of life. I'm a very open and honest person in my music, which stems from me not being the most forthcoming with my emotions when I was younger. For me, music really is therapy!
Mental health is important and the life of an artist has its ups and downs. What has
been the hardest change in your life you had to go through and what helped you get
through that time?
Going on tour for the first time was the most magical feeling ever, and then coming home was a big hit of post-tour depression. It was really hard on me mentally for longer than I would’ve liked, but continuing to make music, going to sessions and writing new music kept me busy - it really helped a lot.
Photographer: JORDAN KNIGHT
Are there any specific artists or movements that have influenced your work?
Justin Bieber is the reason I started to write music! When he released his Purpose album, I was really struggling with my anxiety and couldn’t find the words to express myself. When I heard the song “Purpose,” I knew that if he could do this for me, I could do this for other people!
If you had to title this chapter in your life, what would it be?
Welcome to your twenties, bitch!
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
In May I went on tour in Europe and traveled to 8 countries. It was my first time there, and it was even better than I expected!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s! That, and do what you love and what makes you happy.
Has there ever been a time when you felt like giving up and starting a new path? What
keeps you focused?
Honestly, never! This is all I've ever wanted to do, so everyday I just keep working towards my goals and enjoying all the many fun parts along the way.
What has been the most exciting thing that has happened to you recently?
I will have to circle back and say going on the European tour opening for Tokio Hotel! It was an unbelievable experience. Performing at so many incredible venues to such amazing crowds and being able to hear how my music connects with so many people all over the world was very surreal!
In your opinion, whom do you consider to be a visionary? What about them do you
admire most?
Taylor Swift, hand down! She is the soundtrack to mine and sooo many others! Her music inspired how I love to write my music, stories that take you on a journey!
How do you show up for yourself? As in, what’s self-care look like for you?
“Casey time,” as I call it, is super important to me. I make sure to take some time everyday to workout, play pickleball Ii’m obsessed), watch a good show… I’m currently binging Suits. I love to do a face or hair mask, and I love skincare!
The past years have been life-changing. What's something new you've learned or
discovered about yourself in the past 3 years? How have you applied that to your work?
The past years have been completely life changing! Going on my first tour at the tail end of the pandemic was really the moment I felt I grew up! I opened for Jesse Mccartney (one of my childhood favs), and it was very surreal! I was homeschooled in high school and I didn't go to college, so the tour was that experience for me. I had this group of friends that quickly felt like family. We were on the road for two months, and it gave me structure I never had before - a built-in group of people I was with everyday, no stress to make plans, just all focus on making the show that night the best it could be, and then celebrating it together after each show! I never felt I belonged more! It was truly the most memorable experience! Also, meeting fans in person night after night, and just talking to them and seeing how we are all experiencing a lot of the same things, no matter where we live!
What was the inspiration for your new project? Can you tell us more about the meaning
behind the music?
I wrote “ptxd” in November of last year while having a conversation with my executive producer and co-writer, Sophie Simmons. In our session that day, we were talking about all of the trauma a toxic relationship leaves you with, almost like a sort of PTSD…and we were both like, pt-ex-d…and that’s when the inspiration struck. "ptxd" is directly inspired by the relatable experience of what it feels like to go through bad breakups that affect your mental health and what it’s like dating afterwards. I hope this song helps others who are going (or have gone through) something similar, because it's definitely not an easy experience to navigate alone."
Describe the creative process. When did you know you had the final cut?
This is the first song I wrote that we kept rewriting until it felt like we had the exact lyrics we wanted because it has such an important message. It was very important for us to keep it close to ptsd in the sense of how the trauma of a bad relationship really affects your mental health! I wrote this song initially with Sophie Simmons and Mike Fatkin, then Sophie brought in Alma Goodman to add another perspective, and after that we all felt it was exactly what we wanted and the song was done!
What do you feel has been your biggest growth as an artist?
Going on tour has been life changing in so many ways both personally and professionally.
Following your dreams comes with many ups and downs. What would say is the hardest
thing about following your dreams?
I would say that the hardest thing about following your dreams is accepting that there are different parts of your career. Sometimes you get to tour and perform your music, then other times you’re back in the studio writing new music. Adjusting to each part of the journey can make it hard sometimes. Coming home from a tour is very difficult for me. I really love being in the studio, but being on tour performing my music, meeting everyone and seeing how they connect with my music is unbelievable!
In your opinion, what do you think is not fair about today's music industry?
I think songwriters need to be treated more fairly. Producers and artists get master points but songwriters don’t. Producers also get an upfront fee, but songwriters don't. Personally, my team is working on ways to compensate songwriters fairly for their contributions to the songs. Without them, artists really can't do what we do. I'd also love to see more gender, race, age etc. diversity in creative spaces, because it can only lead to more beautiful art. I think and hope my generation will do a lot to move it forward.
How do you hope your artwork resonates with viewers or impacts the world?
I hope my work resonates with people by sharing true stories that help others know that they are not alone in how and what they are feeling. I grew up with really bad anxiety for many years, and I hid it from everyone! I couldn't find the words to express myself until I started to write music after hearing Justin Bieber's song “Purpose". At that moment I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I stopped hiding my anxiety and realized I can help others do the same with my music. I never want anyone to feel alone, or to hide how they feel - that is truly my goal!
What's next for you artistically?
Well, it could be a bigger body if work
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