For Danni Carr and Emilie Owen, the little band they started while their husbands were out surfing and jamming has become the band their husbands want to play in. When your husbands happen to be Scott Owen (The Living End) and Ash Grunwald, two incredibly successful Australian musos, that’s when the ‘little band’ – Mr Cassidy – becomes more than a way to pass the time; it becomes a serious musical outfit.
Forming early in 2012, Mr Cassidy’s early sessions as a two-piece – Danni’s soaring vocals and guitar, combined with Emilie’s haunting harmonies, mandolin and violin – quickly became a trio when husband Scott jumped in on double bass and vocals, and then a four-piece with the addition of Fingers Malone (a producer and collaborator to Ash) on drums.
Citing influences such as Gillian Welch, Kieran Kane and Patty Griffin, they put together a swag of edgy country, bluegrassy tunes and released a debut EP Mountain Side to much acclaim from country and folk music tastemakers. Their unique, bittersweet tunes of love and heartbreak were quickly picked up by radio, by the likes of Triple J, PBS, Bay FM, ABC and RRR, culminating in being invited by famed country music presenter Denise Hyland to perform on Grand Old Twang in front of a live studio audience.
After a string of successful local gigs, Mr Cassidy sauntered their way through a performance at Tamworth Country Music Festival, where they were invited to join country music patriarch Bill Chambers on stage. They went on to win over crowds at Mullumbimby, The Big Pineapple and Caxton St Festivals with their lively sets, and earned themselves a following of loyal admirers at their enchanting, unforgettable shows along the NSW northern coastline and Melbourne.
If you haven’t had the pleasure or opportunity of seeing the Mr Cassidy magic live yet, you may want to make it your top priority; this ‘little band’ is about to be very, very big.
See them at the Sphinx Rock Cafe – Sunday
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