For Jem Cassar-Daley, the heart of music lies in its profound ability to forge connections with people.
Her celestial vocals retain a refreshing authenticity, weaving through a blend of sounds with raw lyrical prowess. While proudly carrying the legacy of her father – renowned country musician Troy Cassar-Daley – Jem is dedicated to carving out her own artistic identity. Her latest single, Big Container, is a shining example of her ability to create music that resonates deeply.
The Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung singer-songwriter is an emerging voice in the Australian music scene, rapidly becoming known for her captivating stage presence and heartfelt storytelling.
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Surrounded by music from birth and learning to accompany herself on piano at an early age, Jem was destined to find her place on stage. However, it wasn’t until a tour with her father in 2019 that she decided to dedicate all of herself to music. Feeling uncertain about pursuing tertiary studies after high school, her father suggested she join him on the road.
“We did about 70 dates in the year, which was pretty jam-packed. But from that moment, I realised that it was something I just absolutely adored. From then on, I just focused on performing and writing my music. That was a real turning point. I wanted to do it as much as I could.”
Since releasing her debut single in 2021, Jem has experienced a whirlwind of success.
In less than three years, she has released a series of successful tracks and garnered attention through her live performances at various festivals and shows across the country. Already receiving numerous accolades for her work, she recently took home both Best Pop Award and Song of The Year at the 2024 Queensland Music Awards, as well as Independent Song of the Year at the AIR Awards for King of Disappointment.
Reflecting on the busy period, Jem says the experience has been nothing but enjoyable.
“It’s honestly been so much fun and every opportunity has been completely unique and different. “It’s been so beautiful to just meet a whole bunch of new musicians who are all doing a similar thing. It’s been a really cool couple of years.”
A sense of connection and community has been vital for Jem, particularly in her move to Melbourne earlier this year. Despite missing friends and family back in Brisbane, she says the relocation has brought new opportunities for growth and creativity.
“I moved to Melbourne as a bit of a change of scenery and it’s just so inspiring as a songwriter to be in a new environment and be around new people. So many people have reached out wanting to write a song or have a jam. The community in Melbourne has been really lovely and supportive.”
Out now, Jem’s single Big Container is a slight departure from her previous releases, offering a more stripped-back, acoustic sound that showcases her enchanting relatability and songwriting talent. The track came about after a recent breakup, inspired by performances she experienced at Woodford Folk Festival a few years back.
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“It’s that feeling of wanting to mentally compartmentalise the experiences that you’ve had. I wanted to take all of those emotions and feelings and just put them in a box and see if I could push the lid down – shove it to the back of my mind and not have to address it. But obviously, things don’t work that way.”
The song’s production, led by platinum-award-winning producer Garrett Kato, highlights a shared love for the banjo, adding a unique texture to the track. Jem’s musical curiosity is something she attributes to a blend of influences, ranging from 70s rock, indie-pop, rap and country.
“I love artists who just play what they want to play. I think the minute you focus on genres you kind of limit yourself when it comes to your creative experience and expression. We as people are such a unique tapestry of genres and styles and influenced by so many different things, so I think it’s very important to just be free and try not to put yourself in a box.”
A strong connection to her Indigenous roots also informs much of her approach to songwriting, with each track vignetting a particular chapter in Jem’s life.
“Storytelling has obviously been such a huge part of our family. My dad has always been very honest and transparent about his experiences in life through his music and that’s definitely been passed down to me,” she says.
Exploring classic coming-of-age themes around self-love, heartbreak and managing societal expectations, Jem offers tender and uncomplicated lyrics without sounding cliché.
“I try to keep it as real as possible, even though I sometimes feel that I overshare,” she remarks jovially. “But I think that’s important. As a 23-year-old girl experiencing things for the first time and learning how to navigate through life with your own compass, it’s really important for me to be truthful.”
The earnest quality of Jem’s music serves as a cathartic outlet, offering a sense of healing not just for herself, but for her listeners. “It’s therapeutic to be able to get those emotions and feelings down on paper and be able to put it into a piece of art,” she shares.
With new experiences often rousing feelings of uncertainty and loneliness, Jem hopes her songs will bring audiences comfort in such moments.
“I love when people after a show will come up and will say that they’ve been through exactly the same thing, or that they resonate with a particular song. That’s so special to me. It’s always coming from a place of feeling so vulnerable when you’re writing these songs, sometimes there’s even fear of being too honest…but when people relate to it on a really personal level, honestly, what I write music for is that connection.”
Looking ahead, Jem is excited about the future. Revelling in the collaborative process of co-writing and meeting new creatives, she is now preparing for the release of her debut album – currently in its final production stages. While pondering her musical journey so far, she expresses gratitude for the support of her family and the confidence they instilled to pursue her own sound.
“When I first started, I didn’t know where I sat. Stylistically I was kind of in a few different worlds. But eventually, I started to realise that you can be whoever you want to be and you can fall into any sort of world. There’s no limits.”
Keep up with Jem Cassar-Daley here.
