Mr Cassidy offers up Redemption

Dannie Carr (formerly Sweet Painted Ladies) and Emilie Owen (formerly Luxedo) are the wives of rockstars (Ash Grunwald and The Living End’s Scott Owen respectively). But these women are setting out to prove that these men are in fact the husbands of rockstars with the release of their new EP Redemption at the Court House in Mullumbimby this Sunday.

Danni, how hard is it to manage music-making in a family with so many similarly competing interests?

It gets a little tricky but it’s part of the fun; dragging the kids out on tour is kind of cool. In saying that though, Em and I do dream of touring with no kids… Ahem, no offence, kids.

Before you and Emilie started playing together, why had you two dropped out from the music scene? Had you thought that that part of your life was done… or did you always know you’d find a way back?

I guess I was waiting for something to happen or to spark the love of playing again. Hooking up with Emilie gave us both confidence to start playing again and to start doing shows.

When you are a musical person is there some resentment when you watch your musical partner or husband go and play a gig when you are not playing yourself? In asking that, does being back in the industry help manage those feelings?

Ha… I just posted on Facebook that Ash is playing in Nashville today – career envy much! But no, I see how hard Ash works and Em, also being a ‘rock widow’, I don’t think either of us strive to go quite so hard as our lads. I wouldn’t mind playing in front of the huge crowds but we are also content just doing what we do.

What are the stories that you like to tell in your songwriting?

I pretty much like to draw on personal experiences and all the ups and downs that life has to offer. This EP was very much a reflection on my own personal experiences.

Tell me about your upcoming EP. What is the inspiration for the way you’ve decided to produce? Who produced?

The EP is called Redemption.We recorded it with Jordon Power, who also co-produced it with us. As with the last EP we all had a lot to do with sounds and what we played as individuals. Scott also played a major role in adding little bits and pieces as well as Xavier Rudd, who came in and played a beautiful lap steel part on one of the songs.

How has the way you and Emilie make music changed since you first started playing together? What are the challenges that you both face?

I had a baby last year so it’s been a bit more of a challenge to get together to play for an extended time.

What is the most rewarding part of your creative liaison?

I love playing with Em. She’s a brilliant musician and we are pretty much on the same page musically. We have forged a wonderful friendship from this band and that’s reward enough for me.

Tell me what to expect for your launch at the Court House on Sunday (with Suzannah Espie).

Expect a fun day! The kids are welcome and as always we will have some special guests up on stage with us on the day.

Mr Cassidy at the Court House in Mullumbimby on Sunday June 29 from 3pm.

Tix $12 on the door. Kids under 12 free.