Jem Cassar-Daley grew up surrounded by song.
It’s part of her family, from the music played on the radio in her home to songs sung around the kitchen table with her brother, mother and father (Troy Cassar-Daley, if you hadn’t guessed).
“I have a lot of influences from many different genres,” Jem says. “Dad loves country music, Mum’s into pop, and we listen to 70s every weekend. I’m a huge Carol King fan, and I’ve loved Missy Higgins since I was three years old, she’s such an idol of mine. I have thought about setting my influences into different projects, but at the moment I love exploring and experimenting. I feel like what’s truly me is becoming more and more clear.”
St Kilda Festival’s First Peoples First
- Saturday 18 February 2023
- Christine Anu, Lady Lash, Jungaji, Loren Ryan and more
- St Kilda Foreshore and surrounds
- stkildafestival.com.au for more info
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Jem has been touring the country following the release of her debut EP I Don’t Know Who to Call in 2022, and 2023 marks her first time performing solo at the St Kilda Festival.
“I got the travel bug from dad,” she says. “Especially after Covid. Each event is different, and I get to meet people across Australia. I’ve known from dad’s experience with the St Kilda Festival that it’s always a really wonderful event. I got to come in 2019 when he played, and it was amazing.”
The writing of Jem’s soulful, intensely personal songs starts solo, with her own ideas, sparks, lyrics or hooks, but when she goes into the studio it becomes a shared thing, coming to life in jamming sessions where Jem and her collaborators can play off the ideas and influences of everyone in the room, learning the shape of it as they go.
“It’s always fun to meet new people and collaborate,” she explains. “I do enjoy writing alone, and I think that was a common thing with Covid. I’ll go into a session with a strong idea but I’m open to the creative process. Keeping it open and really seeing where the day takes us. I like seeing how much we can get done in one day. Depending on who I’m writing with and the vibe we go in with on the day can influence it. Stylistically, I like seeing where it takes us. Indie pop song, country pop, sitting in a mellow jazz groove – wherever.”
Her eclectic EP is defined by this mix of genres and influences. You can hear her love of Carol King in the soul sound of Changes, the retro country energy of the slide guitar in Like it More, the acoustic pop delicacy of Standing Still, the Missy Higgins storytelling style of By The Sea. She hasn’t put songwriting on the backburner despite her busy touring schedule, and a few of the brand new songs have already found their way onto her setlists.
“Recently, I’ve been singing a mix of songs from the EP, and some covers I love to play that have shaped me along the way,” Jem said. “Also some unreleased songs. I’ll do a similar set at St Kilda. I think I’ll include a few new ones, try mix it up a little bit more. We just got into co-writing again at the start of this year and we’ve been collaborating on new songs.”
As a proud Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung woman, Jem will be taking to the Main Stage on First Peoples First Day, Saturday February 18.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day,” Jem said. “It’s a privilege to be alongside these amazing First Nations artists, people like Aunty Christine [Anu]. She’s one of my all-time favourites. Her daughter and I would run into each other all the time at gigs and we’d get to hang out. It’s a very special thing to be able to share music and make lifelong friends.”
This year’s tribute to the late, great Archie Roach – who had performed at many St Kilda Festivals over the years – will be at the heart of the First Peoples First Day, including performances of his music by other First Nations artists on the Main Stage.
“I’m hoping I could actually make a tribute to Uncle Archie on the day,” Jem said. “He was obviously such a huge influence and a pioneer, and an incredible man, and the stories he’s shared over the years have encouraged other First Nations artists to open up and share culture and stories. It’s such a special event and I’m really looking forward to it.”
First Peoples First will be celebrated on Saturday February 18 as part of St Kilda Festival 2023. To stay up to date with the latest news about St Kilda Festival, keep an eye on the St Kilda Festival website.
This article was made in partnership with St Kilda Festival.
