Cas One [Interview]

Photo by Alexander “Bodi” Hallet of Sattva Photos. http://www.sattvaphoto.com/

At this point, Jacob “Cas One” Snider is essentially a household name around here at Trainwreck’d Society. And it is simply because he is one of the most talented individuals I have ever heard make music, and I could seriously talk about the amazing things he does at an absurd length. So getting to steal a few words from Cas One is really a fanboy moment for me, and I couldn’t be happier that he has decided to waste his time with us. A true fucking Gentleman, this guy!

If you haven’t checked out Cas One Vs. Figure’s So Our Egos Don’t Kill Us yet, I honestly don’t want to know you. So, go ahead and make that purchase, realize what you have been missing, and then come on back here and hear more from this amazing man. Seriously folks, SOEDKU is without a doubt the finest album of 2017 thus far, and I cannot force anything surpassing this type of excellence. It’s just so damn good. I wrote about it at length earlier this month, and as I said earlier, I could go on even further. But, I think I will just shut the hell up right now, and the man speak for himself. So with that, Ladies and Gentlemen….check out some great words from the amazing Cas One!

You are fresh off of the Four Horseman Tour, and from what I am hearing, it was a great success. How was the experience for you overall? What were the ups and downs, and which occurred more often? Are happy with it overall?

I don’t know that there were many downs. I really loved New York I got to hang out with some old friends of mine and Sage Francis jumped on that night which made it a little more special. I got to meet a lot of people that have been following my music for years. It was great hearing all of their stories and being able to connect face to face. I did a ton of driving but it helped me clear out my head from last year.

When you rolled back home through Evansville, still with dates to go, and the other 3 Horsemen by your side, only to sell out a Thursday night show….I have to pull a Dr. Phil here and ask, “How did that make you feel”?

It made me feel very fortunate. I can remember playing here for my ten friends or sometimes no one…literally. It blows my mind every time I play and people come out to support. I’m always a nervous wreck before thinking that it’s going to be the night that no one comes out.

Did you make it safely to that Sbarro you mentioned on Twitter while you were out there on the road? You had me a little worried there. What did you have?

I did make it safe! The people behind me…another story. They dead. I always get a cheese slice when I go somewhere for pizza. People fuck up piza with other toppings, they never make the pizza better. That’s a tip from me to you. If you must get toppings get bacon onion and green pepper. I know it’s ridiculous that I love sbarro especially after JUST going to legendary pizza spots in New York. It just has a special place in my dark little heart.

What has the fan reaction been like over all for So Our Egos Don’t Kill Us? Are people going as apeshit publicly as I have?

The response has been very strong. It’s so fun hearing what people have to say or what their favorite songs are. Hearing how many people think it’s front to back a wonderful album makes me feel like they get me as a human being. It’s wild. It’s humbling.

When you are in the midst of the song writing process, what are the elements of a track that you are always looking to include to make a track a true Cas One song? Basically, how do you try to personalize each track?

I try to paint a mood. I try to make my songs little rooms to sit in while you’re listening to them. Each one a different part of the house and I don’t feel like the albums complete until the house is built. To save myself from any jokes, “Razorblade Mark” is the bathroom.

On that note, have you been contacted by anyone who may have criminalized themselves by accusing you of writing “Razorblade Mark” about them?

I have! A guy here [in Evansville] thought it was about him. I was like man…listen to the song. It’s a fusion of 4 people I know.

I have to ask you about your contribution to the legendary (at least to me, and to TWS) track “Savior Self”, I seriously can’t tell you enough how much I love this track. What can you tell us about recording this song? Was it even done in the same room? What was that period of time like for you, as you were rolling around the country with Mike and Alex and all of them?

We had a really bad show in Phoenix that night at some bar that was part of an ice rink. We were all super tired and a little bummed too. I had a friend that moved to Phoenix to do studio work and he approached us and insisted we had to go to this studio. None of us wanted to go but gave in to his insistence. When we got there IT WAS A FUCKING PYRAMID. No joke. It had a hydraulic door and then you went underground. It housed all this crazy gear. We were like….well we have to make a song now. We all did it in the same room and Eyedea even had me sit in the booth as he rapped it… It was a moment that as it was happening I knew I wouldn’t ever forget it. I knew what it meant, ya know? Unfortunately Mikey passed so shortly after that song was recorded and it took on a whole other shape…that song breaks my heart and makes me feel so happy all at once.

Serious question for you: Have you manage to take a proverbial step back, and look at all of the shit you have accomplished in just the last year or so alone, given yourself that hypothetical pat on the back and said, “Good job, Jacob”. Assuming you might not have….why the hell not?

I try not to pat myself on the back too much….but, yes. Yes I have. I am not saying that out of a place of pride. I have grown so much. For those reading that don’t know…I was suicidal. I was depressed. I felt like my life was falling apart. I got help. I have reformatted my thinking. I am genuinely happy when I should feel happy and completely complacent otherwise. It’s crazy to be able to compartmentalise my thoughts and place them where they belong instead of letting them all stack against me. I deal with things totally differently now.

With your skills and ambition, it truly does feel like the sky is the limit with you. So, what is next for you good Sir? What should our readers be looking out for in the near future?

More touring. There’s stuff in the works. I have an idea for another project that would be a 10 inch vinyl but it hasn’t come to fruition yet. However I think I’ll leave breadcrumbs to the next album as opposed to waiting to unveil an entire album all at once. I want to give So Our Egos Don’t Kill Us the push that I think that it deserves. However. Whatever I do will be under the Strange Famous umbrella, those dudes have proven to be family.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I took my son to see Guardians of the Galaxy 2. He laughed at all the jokes that I did. I got a bigger kick out of him enjoying it than I did the movie. That made me smile.