Quick Q and A with Casey Sullivan
 by Kathy S-B  ·  11 October 2008

Casey first came to our attention as one of the finalists at last year’s Boston Folk Festival songwriting contest. Then she showed up at our open mic last winter, got the unlucky slot of being next to the last to play, but we were all so glad that she hung un there and played for us. Her musicality and lyrics grabbed us all right away. When the idea of having Anthony da Costa and Monty Delaney come up from New York for this Friday’s show, we immediately thought of asking Casey to take part . . . and then we met Seth Glier at our annual Beatles show and just had to name this event: Three Teens and a Marine.

Check out Casey’s music on her myspace page. Take a listen to “The Smallest Matter.” Good song! Come see a young talent on the rise.

You have a variety of eclectic influences ranging from the Beatles to Bright Eyes. What catches your ear the most about your favorite artists?

Honesty. If I can hear that someone is spilling their heart into the song they wrote, I’m addicted. That goes for any type of music, from folk to rap. I just dig honesty. I’m also a sucker for a poet. The way you can play a Dylan song loud and everyone from thirteen-years-old to ninety-years-old can relate to it. The way Conor Oberst writes about things I don’t think I could ever even imagine. The way a Beatles song can get stuck in your head for days. “Norwegian Wood” has been in my head since the fourth grade. I just love good songwriting, and I can appreciate most anything that’s well written.

I love the fact that your mom gave you her old Beatles records. That’s as good an education as I can think of. Do you have a favorite?

I would probably have to go with Revolver, mostly because it’s the first one I got my hands on. I remember being about 9 years old, and putting it in my boombox. I had never really heard anything like it because, growing up in the ’90s, all I would heard was the Spice Girls and NSYNC. That’s just what everyone listened to. But when my mom gave me Revolver, I was fascinated. I knew nothing about playing music or even singing at the time. I just sat in front of the speakers and soaked it in for what it was. That’s how I always try to listen to music now. Don’t get too technical or critical. Just listen and get something out of it. The Beatles really fueled my love for music.

What comes first for you — the music or the lyrics?

It’s always pretty different, but lately it’s been the lyrics that come first. After a while, all chord progressions start sounding the same to me. After that, I have to rely on the melody to get the song going.

What’s your songwriting process like? How do you set time aside to write?

I never actually set aside time to write because I never know exactly when I’m going to get inspired to write. It tends to happen to me at the most inconvenient times too. I usually get inspired right at 2 o’ clock in the morning when everyone in my house is trying to sleep and I have a Biology test the next day or something important like that. But I try to never let a good idea go. So I end up writing a lot of my songs really late at night. The other time that I get inspired is in math class, when I’m supposed to be writing numbers but I would much rather be writing words. I’ve written a few of my songs in math class. It’s very hard to be sneaky about it when you sit right up front.

What are your plans upon completion of high school?

I’m at the point right now where I have absolutely no idea where I’m going to end up after high school. My heart is really set on music school. But then there’s the parents reminding me of my “plan B,” which would probably be elementary or special education. I’m not really sure as of right now, but I’m going to write and play music as long as I live, no matter what. And that’s all I really need, so I’m not too worried.