TFword In Conversation with CASSIMM
The Italian DJ and producer had a chat with us about his return to Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records.
The Italian DJ and producer had a chat with us about his return to Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records.
In 2012, a young Italian DJ, driven by his passion for music, began making a name for himself by performing at various clubs across his home country. Moving with conviction to present the world with his take on dance music, CASSIMM set himself on a sonic journey that has now elevated his name as one of the most renowned artists on the international circuit. Thanks to his high-profile productions that are flushed with a whole lot of house and a dash of disco, they have made him a favorite of the electronic underground.
Over the past decade, CASSIMM’s musical journey has seen him releasing tracks on some of the most respected and influential labels in electronic music like Defected, Toolroom, SNATCH, Glasgow Underground, SONY Columbia, Armada, Spinnin’ and Soulfuric while receiving heavy support from the likes of Eats Everything, Claptone, Groove Armada, and MK to name a few.
With the CASSIMM sound showing no signs of stopping and continuing his rich vein of form in 2024, he has now made a solid return to Mark Knight’s Toolroom Records for an uplifting single. ‘Hear Me Out’ featuring Mahalia Fontaine is simply trademark stuff from CASSIMM! Packed with a powerful bassline that is brimming with boundless energy coupled with Mahalia’s vocals that interlock seamlessly with the gleaming melodies—it’s a tune that is tailormade for festival stages.
Following his return to Toolroom for ‘Hear Me Out,’ we were keen to know how the single came about and some deep dive into CASSIMM’s decade-long adventures; and here is what he had to say.
TFword: Hey, thanks for taking a moment to chat with us! With summer wrapping up and as we head toward the end of the year, how has 2024 treated you in terms of music and shows?
CASSIMM: I can say out loud that this has been the best year so far for the CASSIMM project. Lots of high-quality shows and new countries I’ve visited for the first time. Also, a series of top releases and remixes that are being supported by all the big DJs out there. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more.
TF: Returning to Toolroom with a single, and my god, it’s an absolute stunner. What are your thoughts on how the single has turned out?
CASSIMM: Very happy—nice support, and it’s been sitting in the top 5 on Beatport House for a week now, so let’s see how it goes.
TF: We love how ‘Hear Me Out’ leaves us wanting to go back to the sunny summer vibes. When did you start working on it, and what was the process like until reaching the finish line?
CASSIMM: The idea was to make a follow-up to “Say Yeah”, which was released early this summer and supported by many DJs. So, I started from the same template, as you can probably hear, but I thought it would be cool to create something that would remind people of the end-of-summer vibes, if you know what I mean.
TF: Mahalia Fontaine, with her powerful vocals, adds a unique depth to ‘Hear Me Out.’ How was it working with her on the single?
CASSIMM: Mahalia is becoming my favorite studio partner so far. It wasn’t difficult to wrap up “Hear Me Out”; we kind of knew it was going to be appreciated!
TF: This marks your fourth outing with Toolroom Records. How has the experience been working with one of the most influential imprints in electronic music?
CASSIMM: Joining Toolroom is one of the best things in my career so far. It feels good to have a home and a team that strongly supports me.
TF: From your breakthrough in 2012 to now, 12 years later, how do you look back at the CASSIMM journey so far?
CASSIMM: A lot has changed since then. I’ve learned a lot but also made a lot of mistakes. But after 12 years, I can definitely say that I’ve found my sound and the right mindset to keep doing what I’m doing.
TF: Talk us through how you go about your DJ sets.
CASSIMM: I never prepare a set. It’s something I’ve never done. Many years as a resident DJ taught me how to read the crowd I’m playing for. Of course, now it’s a bit different. People expect me to play all my records, so I try to fit what I like around that.
TF: Is there a particular style you’re aiming to explore in your future releases that we should look forward to?
CASSIMM: I will always be House. It’s where I come from and what I grew up listening to as a DJ.
TF: How is the rest of the year looking for CASSIMM and his music?
CASSIMM: Very good! I finally got my US visa approved, and I will start touring in the US from December. Also, the release calendar is looking good, with another Toolroom release around Christmas.
‘Hear Me Out’ by CASSIMM featuring Mahalia Fontaine is now out on all streaming platforms.
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