Cascade Cody’s a man of few words — at least about himself. He lets his music do the talking, and talk it does — as you can hear on his blistering “In Lieu of Love.” For Cody, being from Washington is everything. Here’s how he describes himself: “I am a folk musician from Yakima, Washington. My genre is Cascade Folk – a derivative of Americana sounds, but geographically from the Cascade Mountains.” In our interview, Cody talks about playing his music for country folk, and how to support marginalized people — especially in a genre with a history like country music.
How are you using your platform to support marginalized people?
Man, this is a real question that should be addressed by all artists! I think the best approach for me is to not go into a song with an “as a straight white male” perspective. We’ve all heard it, ESPECIALLY in country music. Go back into the ’50s and listen to what they say about women! Go back to the ’20s and ’30s and listen to all of the legitimately, unabashed racist folk/country music. It is not my job to be the voice of those who are marginalized, however, it is my place to recognize the fight from said individuals, and be an ally. So when I do talk about a subject such as social justice, racism or income inequality, I displace myself from the narrative, and assume a juxtaposition that is outside the realm of my first person evaluation. Take for example my song “Only Thing Defined.” I am not in the video, the song is written from a third person’s perspective, in the video I utilize imagery that is classically American and applicable to all of our stories, the struggle is as American as those patriotic tropes that the right keeps shoving down our throat.
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
I played a show in this super tiny bar up in Rockport, WA. This is COUNTRY! You think you’ve passed it somewhere twenty miles back, amidst many trees, way up in the Cascade Mountains. It’s right next to a campground, and sixteen people were there, but it was the most attentive audience I ever had! I’d play a song, and they would talk with me about the stories connected to them, and at the end of the night my tips matched my booking fee, so playing for double in a small intimate setting with strangers you learn from, when you thought you would be met by some good ol boys is a happy surprise!
Do you play covers at your shows? Why or why not?
I play tons of covers, I’m still relatively unknown, and people don’t know my vibe yet, so a spin on a song they can sing to tends to get them to warm up to me, then I can dig my heels in with my rooted Washington State stuff. Nothing like a little Brookes And Dunn mixed with your Cascade Cody…sorry.
Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
Sierra Ferrell’s new album! Long Time Coming. I swear, that woman knows how to grab my heart strings and yank! That album is darn near perfect, and gives me something to reach for. (I’m not close)
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
I have a few things I want to do: be charted, make it into some major publications, be reviewed positively by country music fans. Have a little niche in the story of Americana. My biggest dream would be to play the Opry. But I’d say continue living off the art would be my biggest goal right now!
Cascade Cody — Instagram