Michael Cassidy’s ear-pleasing brogue Scottish voice has always been front and centre of his music, and with I Am Free, the opening track and lead single from his new album, he returns with just that – voice front and centre. Complimented superbly by soaring harmonies, he ponders the nature of beauty, life, and life lived through the journey of a metamorphosing caterpillar. The track rouses warmly as a solitary organ drone builds beneath Michael’s musing voice, reconciling life’s plans gone awry with the need for patience.
With producer Chris McCrory (Catholic Action, Siobhan Wilson, wojtek the bear, Annie Booth) at the helm the track undergoes the aforementioned metamorphosis as violin swirls the air, each note hanging and gliding; a butterfly free to fly.
One further verse sees Michael exclaim, joyfully and thankfully, “I am free”, a sentiment anyone constrained by their past can share.
FFO: Ben Howard, Laura Marling, Rufus Wainwright
Winner of the inaugural Gerry Rafferty Prize for Songwriting, 2012
Winner of Best Acoustic SAMA Award, 2016
Previous support slots with Ben Howard, Nathaniel Rateliff, Amy McDonald, Frightened Rabbit and Rachel Sermanni.
“Wholesome guitar and impressive voice” – The Skinny
“Mindblowing” – The Influences
“Michael has [an] ability to elevate guitar/piano and voice into something expansive.” – HeardNotHerd