The Ever-Growing FUZE Family Tree: Meet the Music Alumni
BY ED ROWE
The FUZE Family continues to grow and in the run-up to this year’s show, I had the honour of speaking to a few of our wonderful alumni who have helped us get to where we are now. I was lucky enough to meet five incredible artists (virtually of course), and talk all about their experiences with FUZE, their journey with music and all the exciting things that they are getting up to now. The five musicians were Cassa Jackson (2018 & 2019), Will Bryant (2018 & 2019), Marisa Lopes (2017 & 2018), Rosa Cecilia (2020) and Bowman (2019). Make sure you check them out and keep your eyes peeled for the releases that they have in store for the next year.
CASSA JACKSON
I first spoke with the wonderful singer-songwriter, Cassa Jackson, whose powerful music explores the highs and lows of young love and life, taking influence from artists such as Julia Michaels, Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa. Cassa’s journey as an artist began when she wrote her first song, ‘Learn to Love You Less,’ at 17. Since then, she has released her own EP, ‘He’s No You,’ featured on various DJ tracks, been on the TV series Pandora, and performed at the 2019 Freedom Festival Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. When writing her music, Cassa’s lyrics draw on personal experiences in which strength has often grown from her vulnerability. It is these experiences that have resonated with so many people turning her music into a “sassy, rally call for the female empowerment movement.” Cassa’s success is down to both her work ethic and undeniable talent and we have only seen the start of her musical career.
Cassa was first involved in FUZE in 2018 at the Passenger Shed where she performed KT Tunstall’s ‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree.’ The following year, Cassa returned to FUZE at the 1532 Theatre, where she performed her original ‘Wild West’ which highlights the false reality of social media. In each interview, I asked the FUZE veterans whether FUZE had helped them in anyway (I did give them all the chance to say no and it would have been kept on the down-low). When I asked Cassa, she said that FUZE’s collaboration of various art forms gave her an incredible performance opportunity which helped her get a booking agent.
Getting through this year in itself has been an achievement for everyone and as a musician it can’t have been easy, still Cassa has used music as a way of reflection and catharsis. Graduating this year, Cassa is taking music head-on with two new singles being released over summer. ‘Learning How to Love’ which is her most ambitious song vocally is coming out in June and ‘Wish I Didn’t Care’ in August. Both of the songs explore the difficulties and perfections of a relationship. We can’t wait to hear both of these future releases and to follow Cassa’s journey beyond FUZE and Bristol.
Make sure you don’t forget to check out her music (links found below).
WILL BRYANT
The next of our incredible alumni that I spoke to was Will Bryant who performed in FUZE in the same years as Cassa Jackson (Passenger Shed, 2018; 1532 Theatre, 2019). Will graduated from Bristol in July 2020 and is currently doing a Master’s in Song Writing and Music production at Tileyard Education. Alongside his studies, Will is continuing to create his authentic, ambient and synthy music with vocals like liquid gold. Will only started writing about four years ago but you would not be able to tell from his music which is honest, heartfelt, and pure.
His lyrics are based on both personal and non-personal stories but are transformed into “musical poetry” through his songs which take influence from artists like the 1975, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean and Jeremy Zucker. Will has worked with several other artists over the years including his schoolmate, Sebb Masters (you can listen to this epic collaboration here). In 2020, Will released his first two songs, ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Find Me,’ and the final song of the trilogy, ‘With You, Always,’ is going to be released at the end of April. ‘With You, Always’ is the song which is most personal to Will, to date. This final part of the trilogy is a reflection of the past year; a love song written for those close to him about how important they are especially during a time when he cannot see them.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Will’s first involvement in FUZE was at the Passenger Shed (2017) where he performed Sonnentanz (Sun Don’t Shine) by Klangkarussel. His first thoughts when he walked into the venue were “This is pretty cool” (this sounded much more enthusiastic when spoken, I promise). The following year, Will returned to FUZE as Music Director, working alongside other creatives to find music that gels with the show and up the ‘pretty cool’ a notch or two. Alongside directing, multitasking maestro, Will, managed to also do a mesmerising performance of his original, ‘Beautiful Mess,’ at the 1532 Theatre (2018).
Lockdown has led to many lows and highs, but Will has found that music can be “an escape” (shortly afterwards he cringed at his cliché) and he is grateful to all the artists who continued releasing music throughout the pandemic. Whilst Will struggled to find moments of inspiration for his own music during the lockdowns, he has bounced back and is hoping to release his first EP later this year.
This EP isn’t going to be anything like what we have heard from Will before, instead the tracks are going to push the genre boundaries by merging more organic sounds with dance music. This musical journey is just in its early stages and we will be keeping our ears open for more of Will’s liquid gold vocals. If you want to have a wee listen of Will’s stuff, check it out below (you’d actually be silly not to):
MARISA LOPES
My next interviewee was Marisa Lopes, a multitalented, veteran of FUZE. Marisa is a vocal and fashion powerhouse who performed ‘Hate On Me’ by Jill Scott in FUZE in 2017 (1532 Theatre) and then while holding the position of Fashion Director, ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Day in 2018 (Passenger Shed). As Marisa played such a huge part in both music and fashion during her time with FUZE, I was curious to hear which role she preferred; obviously, being involved in all things music, I was heartbroken to hear her decision leaned towards fashion. However, when she explained herself, I realised that music was equally as important and learned what a humble, patient and determined person she is, who is discovering her place and style in the music industry.
After graduating with a degree in Theatre & Performance in 2018, Marisa found herself in London where she got caught up in the rush of the city and was struggling to figure out what she wanted to do. She took a step back and moved back home to Lisbon, Portugal, where she made the decision to focus on music. That same year, she entered “The Voice Portugal” and whilst Marisa made it through the battles, she explained that she still hadn’t found herself in the music world and therefore, wasn’t ready for the TV show. Whilst Marisa holds both art forms in high esteem, it became apparent from our discussion why she preferred her fashion role within FUZE; she knows her own style and uses fashion as an outlet to express herself in the creative world.
Lockdown has given Marisa the opportunity to explore the road that she wants to go down with regards to her music and pushed her outside of her comfort zone. This year she has explored her own writing (with a glass of wine at hand to get the creative juices flowing) and has used personal experiences to find her musical identity. Marisa modestly mentions that she has been approached by various creatives over the last year and after a bit of digging, I discovered that she is hoping to release a song with a producer soon (date TBC but I’m refreshing my news feed every day). Marisa looks up to artist Amber Riley, who similarly took time to work out her personal brand and the music that she was going to create. Marisa is focusing on establishing her individual style of music and hopes that what she creates is true to herself and inspires others.
During her time with FUZE, Marisa discovered more about herself and grew in confidence. Whilst she is establishing her musical style and finding her feet in the music industry, Marisa’s mind-blowing voice and incredible look (check out her satisfyingly aesthetic Instagram) are undoubtedly the ingredients for future success. We’re on the edge of our seats waiting for the music releases and we’re sure others will be just as inspired by her as we are.
ROSA CECILIA
From one versatile veteran to the next, I next chatted to London-based neo-soul queen, Rosa Cecilia, who performed last year at the Loko Club as well as assisting the fashion team with casting, styling and choreographing. Just before COVID brought a halt to all live performances, Rosa managed to squeeze in one last performance of ‘A Palé’ by Rosalia as part of FUZE 2020: Metamorphosis. Rosa’s vibrant and captivating performance was definitely an insight into her own work where she tries to incorporate the numerous different languages she speaks. Growing up in a multicultural environment (South American, Italian and English) has meant that “in a way, a mishmash of languages has become [her] native tongue,” something which she wants to translate into her music.
Rosa’s multi-ethnic household has similarly meant that she has a variety of different music influences making her music a mass amalgamation of genres; from musical divas like Barbara Streisand, to soul artists like Nina Simone and neo-soul legends like Erykah Badu. Alongside this musical concoction, Rosa’s work is also heavily inspired by Cuban Jazz and Bossa Nova which she grew up listening to.
When are we going to hear this sensational musical mixture, you ask? Well, Rosa has just dropped the first two singles (‘Paradise’ and ‘Passers-By’) of her four-part EP which she is releasing as singles every 3 to 4 weeks. The EP is a layered and poetic representation of Rosa’s life which she lives unapologetically. Rosa explained that she uses music as an outlet for expression, romanticism and nostalgia. Her lyrics tend to touch on several themes from young love and a desire for freedom to socio-political issues. The third song of the EP (‘Ambidextrous’) talks about the inability to see the nuance of things – described through the metaphor of being unable to be Ambidextrous which connotes to the extreme left and right divisions of modern society which seems so divided.
Whilst the last year has been challenging for Rosa, it has also been liberating. The pandemic has meant that release dates and shoot dates have constantly been delayed but through the creation of music and the global shift to the wide web, Rosa has met an incredible producer and manager, among other creatives.
Similarly, Rosa explained that FUZE gave her the opportunity to collaborate with many artists, which she says, is central to her development as an artist; she also mentioned that the relationships she has made along the way are ones that she will cherish forever. These creative collaborations have helped Rosa’s songwriting to grow and led to the magical creation of this EP. We cannot wait to hear what Rosa Cecilia has in store for us with the other three singles of the EP and likewise, to see her back in her element on the stage!
BOWMAN
The last of the FUZE alumni that I spoke to was south-London-based rapper, Bowman, who became part of the FUZE Family in 2019 when he performed at the 1532 Theatre. Bowman talks about the fact that he has not experienced anything similar to other rappers whose emotion is so visible through their work. However, whilst Bowman modestly says that he cannot bring the same level of emotional power to his work, he brings his own individual and personal feeling to his music which puts him in a different category to a lot of rap artists. Although Bowman is still trying to find his style and each of his songs are very different, they all share similar truth and honesty which is only a reflection of Bowman as both a person and an artist.
Throughout lockdown, Bowman has found music has given him a lot of structure. He has found himself writing more than ever and he uses this as a way of talking about things that mean a lot to him. Taking influence from artists such as Travis Scott, Frank Ocean, Fredo and French the Kid, Bowman has recently released his single ‘Break It’ featuring Flintz (you should definitely check out their music video here) and is excited, as are we, for his next release which is out soon.
Music hasn’t just been a saviour for Bowman over lockdown, but it’s been a sense of therapy throughout his life. When Bowman was younger, he had depression and when he found that the medicine didn’t work, he began to write. On his Blackberry Curve (the phone to have back in the day), he would write everything that was going on in his head which eventually turned into a series of poems. Travis Scott’s single, ‘A-Team,’ was one of the first beats that Bowman wrote to and from that moment he realised that music was the path he wanted to go down. Music became important in drawing out his thoughts and feelings and he says, it is better than anything he has been prescribed. His single, ‘Broken,’ which he describes as his favourite lyrically, illustrates his struggles with mental health. Similarly, for Bowman, listening to music is another form of release. He can’t go anywhere without his headphones which he calls his “anti-anxiety pill” as the right song can calm him down.
Bowman also talked about his experience with FUZE and how the cohesion of arts and collaboration of artists inspired him, which has similarly translated into the music he is still creating alongside other creatives including his incredible producer. Whilst Bowman is still exploring his style, his honest and modest nature shines through all of his work and we can’t wait to see and hear what he has in store for us over the next few months. Make sure you don’t miss out on listening to his stuff.
