Recently I was able to schedule a Zoom call with singer-songwriter Kassi Williams, and producer Steven Ellis, of the band called We Are The Dirt. We discussed the band’s moody new single called ”Lie To Me” that came out today, Kassi and Steven’s creative process, and much more. If you’re enjoying the interview, please consider supporting this ultra-talented artist here.
Thank you for your time today, Kassi. Your new single of “Lie to Me” is a great mix of atmospheric sounds, darker-tinged lyrics, and another great vocal performance from yourself. How did this song come together during your writing process?
Kassi: I started writing that <song> when I was 17, and I had played it both on acoustic and electric, and it was just an idea I had in place. Most of my songs I will write, and then I’ll think about producing it at some point, but I don’t really have the full image until bringing in Steven. He’s the one that kind of added some of the more haunting sound to the melodies, and really helped it come to life.
Nice! So, anything you want to add, Steven?
Steven: I remember with this track in particular, I really wanted to create a much more deep, dark, and dramatic tone to it. I wanted to…the best way I can explain it is almost like the internal feeling of being a villain. I remember at the time I was really, really obsessed with this kind of bell sound that you can hear in the background.
That’s cool. And where did those atmospheric elements come from? Did you have anything in mind that you wanted, Kassi, that you wanted to kind of put a musical template over?
Kassi: Well, I think that the melody I’m using for the vocals pairs well with the bell’s creepy, haunting sound. Especially at the end where I do some like different variations in the melody. It really does sound kind of spooky, and I think that just from hearing the vocal melody, it was probably pretty easy for him to piece that together and think that this is the direction we should go with. And just to clarify, this was before the band, so this was just me and Steven for this song.
Okay, gotcha. And I think the single comes out in July, right?
Kassi: Yes, July 2nd!
That’s great! What goals did you and your bandmates set for yourself during the early days of We Are The Dirt?
Kassi: Well, we’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. We’re still looking for a solid bassist right now. We’re kind of borrowing a bassist from another band, and so we’re not sure if he’s planning to join permanently or not. We mainly just wanted to gig more because I built my entire music career, or foundation, online and I wasn’t playing live shows. I was doing a few acoustic shows here and there, but I was also in school, so it was a little bit hard to balance it…So when we got the band formed, the main goal was just cranking out as many live shows as possible, and trying to reach those already existing fans.
That’s cool. And I caught your solo set at Jammin Java where you opened for Have Mercy and Chuck Ragan. I was really impressed by your poise and vocal range. What do you like best about performing live?
Kassi: Thank you! I honestly love the crowd interactions, or the interactions with the audience after the show. Of course, I love playing my music as well. My favorite thing to do is to sing and play music, but it’s the reactions from the audience and the conversations I have with them afterwards that really makes a show.
And do you think those interactions kind of influence the final product at any point?
Kassi: Yeah, there’s certain shows where maybe it’s a more intimate crowd, and that will determine what my set looks like. Because if it’s a super full crowd, you probably want that to be your cleaner set, and have that already set in stone. But if it’s a more intimate crowd, then you can have a bit more interaction with which song should I play next, or what does this crowd look like they’re into?
Okay, that’s a good point. Also, how would you describe the differences in a solo performance versus the full band performances? What kind of goes into that prep for that?
Kassi: I feel like I’ve gone a bit spoiled lately with the band when I play by myself. I feel so lonely up on stage! <Laughter> So it is kind of weird going back to solo acts, that’s how I started…But then having the band, and then going back to doing some acoustic shows feels very strange for me. Especially now that I’m used to hearing all the lead lines over my songs. I can still hear them in my head.
And can you also talk more about your guys’ collaborative process as a producer and songwriter? How did you first get paired up, and how would you describe your guys’ relationship?
Steven: Yeah, it has been a really, really long time. So, I remember I first reached out around 2021, and I had just gotten out of high school. Kassi was still in high school. I was scrolling through TikTok, and I stumbled on one of Kassi’s earliest videos. I pretty much just downloaded TikTok and I remember hearing some of her music. I just loved it. It reminded me so much of some of my biggest comfort bands. Sorority Noise was one of the biggest ones that we talked about in the early days. Absolutely huge, huge fans of them. And Kassi’s lyricism and song structure just landed in a similar place of comfort, but in openness and darkness, if that makes sense?
Yeah, definitely.
Steven: And for me, that’s such a rare thing to find somebody as an artist who is willing to be that vulnerable and open with their music. There’s just something special with that. It’s hard to find, and you can’t get it anywhere else once you find it. And I saw her looking for advice on recording, so I just dropped a couple of comments with some of the stuff that I would use, and some of the stuff I would suggest using. And we just ended up talking from there.
That’s awesome. So, it sounds like the algorithm kind of brought you guys together, so to speak. And Kassi, how would you describe working with Steven? What do you think are your guys’ strengths as a unit?
Kassi: Well, we’re actually very similar in some of our faults, in a way. We’re both pretty busy in life, and pretty chaotic, and we have other things going on. And we’re not in a position where music historically we haven’t been able to completely focus on this project. So being able to work with Steven meant that I could take breaks when I needed to, he could take breaks when he needed to, and we weren’t gonna hold it against each other. We could still come out with an end product, even if it took two years. So we definitely went slow with a lot of the songs, because we’re both living our own lives. But I really like the imagery that Steven puts to the songs. He nails exactly what I’m picturing when he’s putting the music together and producing the instrumentals, so it’s nice to not have to overly communicate what I want out of the production. I feel like he hears the structure and he just gets it.
That’s awesome. It’s great that you have that same type of brain wavelength going on! What inspired you to first start singing and performing, or writing songs in general, Kassi?
Kassi: Well, I’ve been writing since I could write. I have diaries from elementary school, where I have songs in them. I remember writing songs all the time with one of my close friends in second grade as well, and singing in front of the class. I’ve always been writing. It wasn’t really a question of when I wanted to start writing, it was more of how did I accidentally stumble into publicity! I did not know how TikTok worked. That’s really what it comes down to. I had 11 followers on TikTok, but I didn’t realize that it’s an algorithm and it puts it out to more people. So when I posted one of my songs, it blew up really fast. And by the way, I deleted that account now, so all of that’s gone, unless you dig really deep…But I pretty much gained a lot of popularity really quickly, and I was 16 years old. I’m like, “oh, there’s an audience that wants to listen to me?” And I already have so many songs, so that’s still what I’m doing now. I’m still putting out music that I wrote when I was 16 or 17. I have a lot to work through!
Absolutely, yeah! How would you describe your music upbringing at a young age? I mean, you talked a little bit about the writing process, but what were some of the artists that you grew up with and were influenced by?
Kassi: I know that in middle school I was really into Panic! at the Disco and My Chemical Romance. Sort of that, I guess now is considered maybe cringe?
I don’t consider it that, because I write about it and still listen to it so much! <Laughter>
Kassi: <Laughter> But that was my area. If we go back even younger, probably a lot of Kelly Clarkson, because American Idol was bigger then. A lot of Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, and The All-American Rejects. I listen to a lot of different music. So that’s definitely where a lot of the weird structure comes from.
What keeps you motivated as an artist, Kassi? And what do you think the future holds for We Are The Dirt?
Kassi: Well, it can be discouraging sometimes, especially if you’re into numbers, right? I don’t have a big Instagram following, while a lot of artists have a good Instagram following, and I feel like <others are> taking me less seriously because I don’t. So, there’s a lot of areas where I’m constantly feeling like I’m not doing enough, and I get discouraged. But then I have those fan interactions that remind me of what it’s all about, you know? I have people messaging me, saying how they’ve been listening for X amount of years, and the songs have really helped me through some hard times. And even seeing people at shows, now that we’ve been consistently gigging, there’s been at least like one “super fan” at every show, and that’s really helped boost my morale. I mean, that helps me get through it. As for our future direction, I would like to be able to gig more across the country. The problem is, we are completely independent. There’s all the pieces that have to go into that, including money, right?
For sure.
Kassi: So I’m taking this year now that I’m graduated to kind of just feel it out and see where it goes. Hopefully I’ll put out some more songs that I’ve been working with Steven on. We do have a few more things that are pretty much done or in the works done, so we’ve just got to keep working.
Yeah, and I saw that you put a bunch of stuff up on Bandcamp. I’ve been checking it out. It’s really, really great material! What do you think you know would be a perfect billing for you to be a part of? And what are some artists that are doing things today that you think you could really add to the overall concert experience?
Kassi: The problem is, I feel like my interests sometimes don’t align with what I’m doing. I really like Hot Mulligan. and I really love a lot of heavier artists, but I don’t really scream in a lot of songs. I don’t know if I’d fit the bill exactly, because some of the fan overlap I have is interestingly a lot different than the music that I listen to. So I would like to be on a bill with some heavier artists and screaming artists.
Yeah, so maybe a Warped Tour set, introducing some new music to fans? The last question I have for you, is there any causes you like to share support for, or things you like to share with your current fans, and future fans, that are going to be reading this interview?
Kassi: I would say one thing for sure, for anyone who has an active local scene, just continue supporting the venues. I know recently The Garage just had to shut down, so continue to help out any venues that you can. Even if it means booking through them at other venues, or in my town of Fredericksburg, Madame Oddities is going through some financial troubles…so anytime you can go out and support the community, and help keep people’s venues alive, I think that is the biggest cause to start with. As far as We Are The Dirt, if you’re already a fan, then a big thank you for even allowing me to have the platform. The fans are what allow me to do any of this. Big appreciation for that. And then to anyone who hasn’t heard We Are The Dirt before, go check us out! I think that they’ll be intrigued by the music we have. We have a lot of variety. There’s a little bit of something for everyone, I think. Not all of our stuff is out yet, so maybe the live shows are more descriptive, but I think there’s a corner of my music that everyone could be into.
Excellent, that’s a great way of putting it! I wish you nothing but the best in your future, and I hope that people are encouraged to check out your music in your band.
Kassi: Thanks, Adam!