"I know who I am and I know what I'm about" WCL interviews Caleb De Casper

From the horror cabaret and glam rock of his past to his current dark synth pop sound, Austin performer Caleb De Casper always brings a stunning in-your-face theatricality to his music and live shows. The classically trained pianist and vocalist stalks the stage in evening gowns, bondage wear, Victorian collars and the ever-present fishnets and heels, confidently declaring that masculinity comes in many different forms. The performance art aspect of this “Rocky Horror-esque piano dramatist and vocal contortionist” (Austin Chronicle) is the bleeding heart of De Casper’s music, which has been performed all over the US, since being invited out to the Live Music Capital by ATX punk band XETAS, who were mesmerized by his work when they were billed together in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. 

 In Austin, De Casper found the space to flourish as a queer artist that he never found in North Carolina and immediately set to work proving wrong the former NC piano teacher who once told him, "As a gay songwriter, the world will never accept your voice or point of view". That voice and point of view was warmly received with 2019’s De Casper, which brought a glam rock feel (think Hedwig And The Angry Inch meets The Dresden Dolls with guitars) and the single “Good Boy” was named one of OVRLD’s top 25 songs of the year, was a featured Studio 1A performance at KUTX and was a favorite Tiny Desk performance of 2018. 

 Wanting to explore new territory on his forthcoming debut LP Femme Boy, the album is an eclectic journey, often dark and brooding but contrasted by high energy and that aforementioned theatricality. Standout track “Too Many Boys” is an explosive and passionate narrative of what it is to be a gay man in 2021, complete with searing guitars. Whereas the delicate and graceful “Dreamer” is a poppy heartstring-tugger and features vocals from Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit, Heart Bones). The album’s roots lie not just on the dance floor, but also the theatre stage as well as with the glam and decay of old Hollywood. Femme Boy comes out this fall and the stunning and provocative “Too Many Boys” video is out now.

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