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CASSAR-DALEY, TROY |
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 text by G
There are plenty of reasons why Australians are warming to Country music. Some may say it's the Alt-country revolution with Kasey Chambers leading the new generation of acoustic-powered story-tellers. The obvious reason, in my humble opinion, is the terrain; the ochre landscapes and isolation, which seem to perfectly frame a scene of open fires and friends gathering to put their stories to song. Like the US it's a land associated with faded jeans, deep tans and rural properties. Visit the urban areas and you may be tempted to believe that indie rock and dance music reign supreme in Australia but travel anywhere outside the population centres and you'll find the truth; most people listen to country. Further north you'll find one of Australia's rising stars of Country music; an easy going family man with traditional values and an unsurpassed talent for representing the rural spirit of Australia. His name is Troy Cassar-Daley and it was a pleasure to talk to Troy after the recent release of his latest single (and title track from his album) Long Way Home...
Whammo: I’m wondering how you first got into Country music. Did you grow up in a rural environment?
Troy: Yea I grew up in Grafton in Northern New South Wales to start with. My mother having a big interest in Country music was part 'n' parcel of getting exposed to it from a very early age. It grew from there. Having a guitar teacher at home who could teach me the songs I wanted to learn was an important factor in the reason why I’m doing what I do today.
Whammo: Grafton’s near Casino isn’t it?
Troy: Your geography serves you well. It’s a great town and always a good place to grow up. It’s a very innocent sort of town, you had a lot going on; a good environment for any kid, the New South Wales coast. I continue to talk about it even though I don’t live there any more. I continue to call it my hometown because I’ve got all those memories there; the stuff I talk about in my latest songs. I’m still inspired by the place. It’s played a big part in my life.
Whammo: With everyone jumping on the ‘Alt-Country’ bandwagon it’s great to see that your songs are still the traditional autobiographical stories of rural areas.
Troy: There’s a lot of that in what I do and I really think that’s the biggest challenge; being able to maintain the ‘real’ factor in music. You can go through life and try and make up the best songs you can but there’s always that element in the background that says ‘you’ve got to be truthful’. You’ve got to make those stories real so people can actually believe them. That’s been my biggest incentive to keep writing and performing. I just love people’s stories and relaying those stories. You’ve got to do the best you can for the people who are actually telling you these things. That’s the reason we have a lot of pride in the lyrics. There’s so much to say in Country music and it’s great that what I’m doing’s got an edge. A lot of the songs that were written for this album were actually written down in Melbourne. It’s interesting to duck down there and get a chance to write with Paul Kelly and to see what he’s got to say and add to different songs. I get a real big kick out doing that sort of stuff.
Whammo: So do you see these people as peers or are they almost…gurus?
Troy: They’re definitely peers but I would say they’re people you’ve aspired to be like, when you were a kid. I mean, how many bands have you been in which haven’t played a Paul Kelly song? You know what I mean? That to me is a pretty unbelievable feat in itself; being able to write with Paul. But then to be able to come up with some things that make it onto an album is a big bonus I reckon.
Whammo: Who were the story-tellers for you when you were growing up?
Troy: Hank Williams, Slim Dusty, Merle Haggart; they were all people who’s stories I loved. To be quite honest, I think a lot of the stories related to me because I grew up in a single-parent family where I’d go to Sydney every holiday and visit my Dad. I think that was the reason I cottoned-onto a lot of the tunes, because they were telling my story in a way.
Whammo: I thought you must be new, the way you were being promoted but then I realised you’d been around for a while.
Troy: Yea, people were saying ‘you must have come out of left field’. I’ve said ‘Geez, I’ve been around for a quite a while’. I really enjoy seeing the look on peoples faces when you say ‘back in 82…’ (laughs) You know? Half the people I’m doing interviews with weren’t even bloody born then!
Whammo: Well, you’ve taken the bull by the horns, as far as Australia goes. What about overseas?
Troy: I’ve tried The States and I love going over there. I’ve got friends in Nashville. But I’ve really got a hankerin’ to get over to Europe. Everyone’s got lineage in Europe whether they like it or not and there’s a different point of view over there. I’d love to be able to have a Guiness and hang out in a pub over there. I can see myself doing that. I think if I don’t do it soon I never will. I think I’ll try and encourage that in my next couple of overseas adventures and hopefully coming up with something with a bit more of the Irish flavour. I love folk music.
Whammo: So, you’re open to changing your style.
Troy: I’m always going to be country music. I can tell you that now, but I think you’ve really got to be true to yourself and I’m definitely open to things like that. I’ve already stretched the boundaries with Long Way Home in regards to playing a Nashville guitar on it and playing harmonica for the first time was a big kick as well. So I think you’ve got to look at all these things and see what makes you significantly different to others.
Whammo: Did you aim for a specific market with this album?
Troy: I just do what I do and I made an album this time that I’d like to listen to myself, in my car, driving along. I think we’ve done that and people have responded kindly to it. I’m feeling really positive about it.
*check below for a list of Troy's releases... |
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 TROY CASSAR-DALEY
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $7.95 (US $4.92) (UK £2.75)
cd single
We’ve all been there: trying our best to waste time and avoid our responsibilities. That’s the root of this toe-tappin’ ditty from Troy Cassar-Daley who leads the latest wave of local country talents. I’m with you Troy. Yep, I never quite get to the store for that loaf of bread and the tackle shop certainly looks tempting on a sunny day. There’s an intimacy between Troy and the listener and he makes full use of his gifts on 40 Miles and Make the Most (Of Every Day With You); also included on the Long Way Home single.
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 TROY CASSAR-DALEY
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $26.95 (US $16.66) (UK £9.31)
cd
Country has always been popular in Australia but in recent times - with the emergence of Alt-Country - pop, rock and alternative music lovers are 'jumping the fence'. Troy Cassar-Daley is a leader of the revolution; a local star who sings the traditional country stories of rural life with a modern twist. Cassar-Daley adds western spice to up-tempo tracks like Think About You but sounds best during more reflective and laid back numbers like the opening River Road. With tour commitments, a busy promotion schedule and inevitable overseas success, Troy may find it literally is a Long Way Home.
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 TROY CASSAR-DALEY
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $26.95 (US $16.66) (UK £9.31)
cd
ARIA Awards 2000 Winner - Best Country Album. His third album ‘Big River’ will connect with most Australians. On this disc he explores troubled relationships, celebrates V8 cars, pays tribute to famous Australians, laments the closure of big industry in a small town and expresses his love of family. Using some of country music’s finest local musicians Troy has created an album of real substance.
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