Californian turned Minnesotan, Cassandra Cole is a songwriter, visual artist, actor, athlete, and mother. Cole specializes in songwriting that showcases life’s rich tapestry – and refines each thread, creating a canvas that gives us a look into her soul. In her latest release, Steps, she writes about the human experience.
Steps dives into some heavy subjects in Cole’s life – including years of depression, anxiety, heartache, and how she has found her own way through it all by being grounded in faith. Inspired by her favorite songwriters, such as Fiona Apple, Bob Dylan, and ZZ Ward, she uses her songwriting to tell stories. The album ebbs and flows – the last track, “Mornings High”, is about taking emotional, mental, and physical steps out of the darkness.
Recorded during the COVID-19 crisis, Steps was produced by Jason Hafer at his studio in Portland Oregon. Due to health and travel restrictions, the musicians that are featured on the album recorded their parts separately, and were later masterfully woven together.
Cassandra’s songwriting is a blend of raw energetic passion with an eclectic modern edge. Her sound is a reflection of her own experiences and stylistic inspirations like “…Annie Lennox, Tori Amos, and even Janet Jackson.” -Erica Rivera
Born to a musical family, Cassandra began songwriting at the early age of six, and soon after learned to command the stage. Since then, she has become an accomplished vocalist, songwriter, and performer. Looking for a personal outlet, music allows Cassandra to share her own stories, a contrast to performing roles as an actor on the stage.
As life inspires art, a close-up view of Cassandra’s music gives listeners a peek into her experiences as a mother of two sets of twins, wife, lover of painting and appreciation for art, and a strong woman that wants to share her story.
In 2019, Cole wanted to create a local space for artists to collaborate and perform – Thus, “The Hive” was born. The Hive is an ever-changing group of all female and non-binary artists. Founded with Laurel Hay, this group is meant to focus on the creative songwriting, instrumental prowess, vivid vocal harmonies, and community effort and power of artists from the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. The group features at least two new musicians for each live show. Genres and sounds vary depending on the current collaboration of songwriters and musicians.
