The mesmerising voice of Caswell is the latest sound to grace the Suffolk festival scene. We caught up with one of the region’s rising music stars.
With a forthcoming performance at Latitude and a supporting slot with indie legends The Libertines at Ipswich’s Mansion on the Moon festival, 2018 looks like it might well be Caswell’s year.
The Suffolk-based singer-songwriter is finding herself increasingly in demand. This month her song Dance Sober was played on This Morning and was described by presenter Holly Willoughby as “what This Morning is loving at the moment”.
She’s supported Pixie Geldof and London-based singer Arlissa and is about to release her latest single Lie To Me.
Caswell was based in London where she grew up, but when her parents moved to Suffolk she decided to follow.
“Some of my friends thought I might lose touch with the music scene by not being in London, but in fact it’s the opposite. I think there’s something very special happening in Suffolk at the moment and it’s really good to be a part of this,” she said.
“Latitude is very much part of the scenery now, with some great acts coming to the region. When BBC Introducing invited me to play on presenter Huw Stephens’ Lake Stage I was so happy. It’s definitely a leg up onto the festival circuit.”
Supporting The Libertines is another milestone in her trajectory.
“It’s really insane, because they are so famous. I’ve done quite a few support gigs but nothing this big. It’s been a long time since anything like this has happened in Ipswich, so I’m really pleased to be part of Mansion on the Moon’s debut festival.”
Caswell, first name Kristin, grew up in south London with her then punk rocker, now vinyl dealer mother. With the family influence and a godfather who was a buyer for HMV, she grew up immersed in music.
“When I was younger I was into drama and art and I was quite academic. I think I went more towards music because as a medium you have more control over it than drama. You can write and perform your own songs and I was doing my own artwork.”
When she was 14 she studied music on a four-year course at the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology.
“Those were four fantastic years and really set me on the path I’m on now.”
Drawing inspiration from artists like Kate Bush, Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone, Caswell has been described as “electronic soul and pop mixed with a tangible jazz influence”. She has developed a totally unique style and sound and a haunting lyrical delivery.
With Merlyn Bruce, originally from Nashville, now Woodbridge, on keyboards; George Kerridge, originally from Walberswick, on bass and Fabian Marshall-Tierney, whose family are from Woodbridge on drums, she has surrounded herself with top quality musicians.
“I think we have really achieved the sound we want now, so I’m really looking forward to getting out there and showing our audiences what we can do.”
Her second EP Lie To Me is released on July 13. For more info visit www.caswellofficial.com. Tickets for Mansion on the Moon festival are available at www.mansiononthemoon.com
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