“Longtime fans of LA on Lock are no stranger to Ryan Cassata’s talent as we have featured several songs from this songsmith.
’CLOSER’ is the latest track from the artist and once again Cassata has tapped into an emotional energy that sells the lyrics with precision and verve. This track is a bit more energetic than the others we’ve featured, but the groove and rhythm really help bring this one to life.”
“Regualr readers of LA on Lock will realize we have featured several tracks from LA artist Ryan Cassata, but this track certainly has a different vibe than those other songs. Cassata is talented and that fact shows in the diverse sounds and styles we have heard, though one constant is the strong writing and this track again offers that.
This track has an Emo Hip-Hop vibe that underscores the Pop sensibilities.”
“Dylan, Guthrie, Petty, Isbell. Elements of these great songwriters, and others, come through in the vulnerable raw lyrics of Ryan Cassata. The melody too has been created to covey the inner thoughts of this talented artist.
Sure the masters of the craft have influenced Cassata, but I would be remiss not to proclaim the individuality as well. ‘Catcher in the Rye’ is a song about falling in love after a traumatic past filled with violent hate crimes and bullying in Cassata’s conservative hometown on Long Island. Cassatta explained more by saying ‘In this music video, I go back to my hometown (Bay Shore, NY) and visit some of the places that hurt me the most as a young queer/trans person.’
The video is bleak in the gray tones, but in the words there is a hope, a spirit that is part defiant and part relief, a sense of I’ve survived and now it is my time to thrive.
This recording was done live, without embellishments or retakes and this fact only adds to artistry as we listen to a true songwriter bare their soul. ”
“The attitude here is what is so captivating. The lyrics, written from the heart, are belted out without a care in the world, and the result simply feels like an artist having fun by saying exactly what is on their mind without regard to getting every note perfect, or creating a flawless performance. This is music from the heart and it spoke to mine.
Sound wise, it feels like the Country Rock that came out of California in the 70’s,. Something in in the vein of Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers with a modern flair.”
“There is a genuine, songwriter vibe on this one. Billed as a true LGBT love story, this song really transcends beyond any limitations on who this song speaks to. It is simply an honest and true love story for humanity with slice of life lyrics delivered over a guitar melody. There is no added fanfare because the emotion is simply enough in this case.”