Cassian reflects on Australia from an international perspective as he returns home for a string of shows

Cassian, born between Eora/Sydney and Naarm/Melbourne, is one of Australian dance's biggest success stories.

He emerged from Eora's flourishing electronic scene, rising to prominence in 2009 and working in the studio with then emerging trio RÜFÜS DU SOL, mixed their critically acclaimed albums, earning multiple ARIAs and a Grammy.

His work outside of the studio has seen him perform at some of the largest venues in the world, alongside some of the largest acts to ever grace a booth. While living primarily in LA, Cassian has returned home for a string of shows with ANYMA, the solo project of Matteo Milleri, an Italian-American DJ and producer also known as one half of the duo Tale of Us and the co-founder of Afterlife Records.

As he announced a spur of the moment headline slot in collaboration with Eora's UNDR CTRL, happening the evening of Friday, November 22 at Carousel Bar & Ballroom, we caught a moment of his time to reflect on what such a huge international perspective has allowed him to see and understand about Australian dance.

Q: How does it feel to be back in Australia for a round of big shows this weekend ‘with Anyma’?

Cassian: Always feels so good to be home. I’ve spent a good chunk of the last few years collaborating & touring with Anyma so to be back with him and bring our sound back to my home is something I’m really excited about.

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Q: How do you think that your life overseas has impacted the way you view Australian dance music culture?

Cassian: Not being as immersed in the day-to-day as I used to be definitely gives you a broader perspective. I used to love the fact I knew basically every venue, dj & promoter. It’s been a shift to realise that I no longer have such a granular knowledge of my home scene. But in other ways that broader perspective can be really empowering, and gives me a new appreciation of Australian dance culture.

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Q: Where do you think that culture sits compared to some other places you're visiting?

Cassian: From my perspective, the culture here is really unique. Over the last year, the crowds have been really diverse & bring different energy depending on where I’m playing. I find that some crowds are much more different across Australia than even across different countries globally.

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Q: What’s next on the horizon for you for the rest of 2024 and looking into 2025?

Cassian: These shows this weekend will be some of my last for the year - capped off by the New Years run I’m doing back in the USA. Last month I took on the role of music director for Anyma’s run of shows at the Sphere. When I’m back in LA next week I’ll be diving full time into that & making as many new records as possible. Next year is looking really exciting, shifting my focus a little more towards production & music vs relentless touring.

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Q: What would you tell producers thinking of trying to break out in a way like you did?

Cassian: I could talk about this for a long time! I think learning how to produce is one of the most empowering things you can do. The most direct way to get a foot in the door is to have notable DJs that you’re a fan of playing your music. DJs are very democratic - if it works for them then they’ll play it 100%. If you’re sending your music out and DJs aren’t playing - keep working. Be brutally honest with yourself and make sure you’re always improving. If you stick to that, it’s only a matter of time

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Tickets to UNDR Ctrl pres. Cassian are available via mixmag.net.au.

Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.