Casmalia, originally from Atlanta and now operating out of San Diego, melds house and progressive genres, crafting a sound that eludes simple labels. With roots in classical music and audio engineering, she has become a pivotal figure in the West Coast music scene, dropping hit EPs since 2017. Her work spans collaborations with labels like Insomniac Records and mau5trap, garnering praise from icons such as David Guetta and Green Velvet.
Beyond the studio, Casmalia excels live, infusing her performances with unique vocals at both premier festivals and intimate club settings. Her productions blend bass-heavy rhythms and melodic elements, with touches of disco and Detroit techno, affirming her versatility in musical innovation.
Her latest EP Calling Out is out now on Doc Brown’s Unlearn Records, and it’s a banger. With a remix competition for the release just announced, we thought it was about time we got a little more familiar with Casmalia.
You made a significant life change moving from Georgia to California to pursue music. How do you think this bold move has shaped your career and personal growth?
After 12 years of living in California, I can confidently say that moving here was the best decision I’ve made for both my career and personal growth. Being around like-minded creatives has hugely encouraged me to push the boundaries with my own art and to trust the process.
Your music combines heavy, melodic, and groovy elements. Can you discuss how you achieve this balance in your production and what challenges you face in this process?
The heavy/melody/groovy combination that you hear now is the natural result of years-long journey to find my authentic sound. Some of my earliest influences were the bold experimentation of early 2010s dubstep, deadmau5’s melodic progressions, and the timeless production quality of Disclosure. I think my current sound captures quality from each of these styles.
With tracks like “Is It a Dream,” you’ve explored a more minimal and deep sound, while your latest for Unlearn leans into the techier side of your production. Have these been conscious shifts, or does it happen more organically than that in the studio?
Although my style tends to swing between more deep/minimal and techy, I rarely end up with the same style track that I set out to make at the beginning of the production process. I usually let the track take on a life of its own, and try not to get too invested in making music of a particular style. Recently I’ve swung back the other direction, so definitely expect more groovy style tracks in the future!
On Calling Out, was there any specific inspiration for this one?
When producing this track, I started out with a vocal snippet that I recorded years ago for a collaboration that never came to fruition. I wanted to let the vocal tell the story, and build the track around it. Although I didn’t set out to make a heavy bassline, I found one that really stuck out as I was cycling through ideas. I also love the Redux Saints remix of this track so much because he manages to capture the original idea with a groovier, techier feel to it.
You’ve mentioned incorporating live vocals in your performances. How does this element transform your shows and connect you with your audience?
The day I realized how powerful live vocals are was my 2022 performance at Coachella on the DoLab stage. I had an early set time, and although I had a nice little crowd forming, it was insane to see the amount of people who started flooding into the tent once I started singing one of my tracks live. I think live elements are such a great tool to bring more authenticity to your set, and are gravely underutilized in DJ performances.
You have a background in classical music and audio engineering. How do these disciplines influence your approach to electronic music production?
I try to integrate my classical background in as much of the production process as possible. Having a music theory background allows me to understand the “why” behind some of the choices I make, especially when writing chord progressions. While I definitely don’t think it’s necessary to have a music degree to be a great producer, I do think that all producers would benefit from studying some music theory.
We heard you’re planning to launch a Patreon. What kind of content and interactions can your fans expect from this platform?
My Patreon will be an opportunity for fans to get an under-the-hood look at my production techniques, budding song ideas, and songwriting process as I work on various tracks. There will also be opportunities for mentorship, merch giveaways, and tons of other ways to connect with me. I’m hoping to have it up and running by this summer!
As someone constantly producing and releasing music, how do you keep your creative juices flowing? Do you have a routine or practices that help you stay inspired?
One of my favorite practices for inspiration is to consistently seek out and listen to new music in different genres. Occasionally I will find an artist/group I really connect with and gain a ton of inspiration this way. I also try not to force myself to produce when I truly am just not feeling it. There are a lot of ways I can still be productive with my time even if I’m not in the mood to create, such as researching new plugins, organizing my files, or teaching someone else.
Among the tracks you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite or one that stands out as particularly meaningful to you?
Of all of my tracks, Tethered is probably my favorite and most likely to elicit a big emotional response from fans. I have recently started working on a sister track to this song, and I’m hoping to match the energy of the original while bringing something new to the table in terms of style experimentation and lyricism.
What can your fans look forward to in the upcoming months?
Are there any new projects or collaborations on the horizon? These next few months are filled with new releases, including my highly anticipated bootleg of Rasputin being released on Box of Cats, an Electric Hawk exclusive premiere on Gold Bloc Records, and another single from Gene Farris’ legendary Farris Wheel. I’ve also got a couple hot collaborations in the works currently, and I can’t wait to share my new creations with everyone!
Calling Out is out now on Unlearn Records
