Growing up belting out country classics, it’s safe to say that Casi Joy was born with music flowing through her veins. Signed to Radio Disney by the age of 14, Casi Joy moved to Music City shortly after to record at the iconic RCA Studios. She toured with her band while working her way through college as a Pre-K music director. In 2015 Casi Joy released her debut EP Love on Repeat right before she earned her spot on Team Blake and made it to the live finals on The Voice. With her classic, powerful voice and incredible energy, Casi Joy’s large and loyal fanbase continues to grow, stretching across her homestate of Missouri and from sea to shining sea to across the pond and the equator. But during all those hours performing, miles traveled, words written – Casi Joy had yet to release a debut album. Until today. Ecstatic fans across the world can now listen to Miles & Maybes, and get to know a new, intimate side of Casi Joy.
We recently caught up with Casi Joy to talk about the nitty gritty behind this incredible album, the milestone it represents in her career and more.
CN: Hi Casi! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us. So you had quite the start to 2023! Congrats to your Chiefs on winning the Super Bowl AND for performing the National Anthem at the official Super Bowl Victory Parade! As an American, having the honor to sing the Anthem means so much obviously, but as a KC fan and at the Victory Parade – what was going through your mind? What was that experience like?
CJ: Thanks so much for having me! It was an absolutely mind blowing experience singing for the Super Bowl parade and almost a million people! Kansas City has always been so supportive of me my entire career, so it meant the world to be included in such a monumental moment for our city. I wish I could tell you more about what the actual performance was like, but besides being worried about singing the anthem in 90 seconds to time it with the flyover, I’m pretty sure I blacked out! I’m glad someone got it on video! (Watch here)
CN: March 31st is a date that you and your fans have been waiting a long time for! It’s the date that you release your debut album Miles & Maybes. First and foremost – how excited are you?
CJ: I am so excited, and nervous, for people to hear this album! I’ve never been this raw or vulnerable in my songwriting (that I’ve been brave enough to release), so some of the songs might come as a bit of a shock, but I think those are the most important songs. I can’t wait for people to hear this other side of me.
CN: Debut albums can easily be the first impression of an artist, and sometimes releasing one too soon could be a misjudgment, especially if the artist hasn’t really figured their artistry yet, or just goes by what others may think will work. However, you are already a seasoned vet, having had a 6 year career since being on The Voice (how has it been 6 years already?). What was your reasoning for waiting this long to release a debut album?
CJ: You are so right! With a debut album, I wanted to make sure everything was perfectly in place, I knew who I was as an artist, and I actually had something to say. It took a lot of living, learning, and growing to really figure all that out. I feel like since I did wait so long, it gave me a chance to play with different sounds, vibes, and lyrical content until I found something that felt real to me.
CN: How did you know that 2023 was the right time?
CJ: I was on the road pretty much full time since being on The Voice, and finally took a little break in 2022 to spend more time at home in Nashville. I had been focusing so much on the live show portion that I wasn’t writing as much as I’d like. When we got off the road, the songs just started pouring out of me. I released several singles, but it wasn’t until I wrote “Under the Hood” with Justin Klump and Lauryn Tauber that I decided it was finally time for the album. Something just felt different about that song. When we wrote the line “miles and maybes, skylines changing, but she ain’t broke,” I immediately said, “Holy moly that’s going to be the title of my first album.” And so it began!
CN: Miles & Maybes. There’s a lot behind those three words. How did you come about selecting this as the title?
CJ: When we wrote that line in “Under the Hood,” it felt like my whole life was described in three words. We travel so many miles through life all on the promise of maybes. Those miles are filled with bliss, heartbreak, growth, laughter, and more. But what I’ve found is that there’s so much beauty in those miles travelled, and it’s the maybes that keep us going down those unknown roads.
CN: The album consists of 14 tracks, including your previously released singles and fan favorites “The Money,” “Namaste,” “Business of Breaking Up” and “Senses Fail.” What can your fans expect for the rest of the album?
CJ: They can definitely expect to learn a lot more about me, and hopefully themselves too. They’ll see a side I haven’t shown before, and I think that’s really important these days. I tend to write through my struggles by putting a funny twist on the lyrics so that we can all laugh through our tears. But with these new songs, I set the laughter aside. There are tributes to loved ones, moments to cry on the bathroom floor, and songs about mental health. I wanted this album to sonically and emotionally emulate the roller coaster of ups and downs we all go through in life.
CN: All 14 tracks are original tunes. What was the writing process for this album like?
CJ: With the album title being “Miles & Maybes” I wanted to make sure that each song could be put into the “miles” or “maybes” category. I wrote a few of the songs solo, but am forever grateful for my co-writers on the others! Every time I got into the room to write, we would start off by talking about what was weighing on my heart. The whole process was therapeutic, and my co-writers made me feel so safe in bearing my soul. Having that outside perspective and people asking questions you’ve never asked yourself is what makes co-writing so special.
CN: What do you want your fans to take away from Miles & Maybes?
CJ: I hope they walk away from those 44 minutes feeling hopeful and resilient. I want listeners to feel seen and heard, and above all, know that they are not alone. So many people hide behind a highlight reel, and I wanted to write something actually real. I want my fans to know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; for anybody. We all hurt, we all grieve, and we can all heal.
CN: Perhaps not a fair question to ask but — do you have a favorite track? What is the story behind it?
CJ: I think “Hey Dad” is my favorite on the album. It was by far the most emotional one to write as I’m sure you can imagine! I had started on that one a little over a year ago when I was working on a song for my dad’s birthday. I kept getting stuck, because I hadn’t quite figured out what I was really trying to say. I could go on and on about my dad! Right before his birthday, I had a co-write with Deanna Walker, and we hadn’t decided what to write yet, until her dad called her. I could tell she had a beautiful relationship with her dad, and I instantly knew she was going to be the one to help me finish “Hey Dad.” This song is all the things I’ve always wanted to say to my dad, but being that I’m his clone, I have a hard time telling people how I feel. It’s always been easier for me to put those feelings in a song, and I’m so proud of how this one turned out.
CN: Six years have passed since your time on The Voice. Is there any one lesson or bit of advice that you gained from being on the show that you hold dear today?
CJ: I learned so much about the behind the scenes of the music industry that I still use today. I got the most incredible, personalized vocal warmup that is still my holy grail to this day! I don’t think there was any one thing, but just seeing the countless hours required to perform at such a high level was so inspiring. It definitely gave us contestants a glimpse at what life could be like, and for me, that made me want it even more. I’ll sleep when I’m dead!
CN: Is there any advice present-day Casi Joy would tell The Voice contestant Casi Joy?
CJ: I’ve never been asked this before! I guess I would say, similar to my Chiefs experience, take it all in! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the moment and trying to make everything perfect, that you miss the moment completely. That whole experience was just so crazy and fast paced that to this day, looking back, it still doesn’t seem real!
CN: Will there be a spring/summer tour in support of the album? Where can fans see you?
CJ: Yes! Being on the road and on stage is my favorite place, and I can’t wait to perform this album live! We’ll be announcing tour dates soon and getting the Joyride out of hibernation, so be on the lookout at CasiJoy.com!
To download or stream Maybes & Miles, click here. To purchase a physical copy, click here.
For more information on Casi Joy, follow her on Facebook and Instagram.