Inspired #348 - Lydia Kaseta
American singer-songwriter Lydia Kaseta fuses influences of Phoebe Bridgers and Gracie Abrams on latest single ‘Hate The Day’. A beautiful indie folk track that captures the feeling of letting go of someone you know you can’t hold on to any longer. She took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Honestly, my musical inspiration changes all the time, but the artists inspiring me most these days are probably Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers, and Cat Stevens. Kacey’s Golden Hour album is one of my favorite albums. Lyrically I just find it so creative and I like to listen to it when I want to remember what good writing is.
Phoebe is just incredible at creating moments in her music. She creates such an amazing visual attached with a specific feeling. The production of her songs are always so unique to me.
I listen to Cat’s song “Father and Son” all the time when I miss home. That song reminds me of leaving Michigan and growing up and makes me cherish where I grew up. It’s very nostalgic to me and always connects me with myself more.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
As of late, I’ve been watching a lot of older films and the most recent one I watched that I walked away feeling very inspired by was Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. It was just so simple and classic that I had almost forgotten films can be like that. There was no agenda behind the film, but just beauty, love, and romance. I feel like so many films today have been made to be so overcomplicated and sometimes it can be a little exhausting. So it felt refreshing to watch and reminded me that less is always more.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
Paris I think is on the top of my list. I visited there a couple years ago and it’s been stuck in my brain ever since. I think it’s such a beautiful city and I’ve been dying to go back. I loved the culture and the architecture. My favorite was just sitting at a little corner cafe with a glass of wine while it rains and watching all the people walk by. There is something very magical about that city and I felt very at peace there.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I would have to say my mother for she is truly one of a kind. She is one of the hardest working people I know and has inspired me all my life. My mom raised and homeschooled all of us six kids on a farm in Michigan and gave us a one of a kind childhood. Then about ten years ago she found her passion in design and architecture by restoring old barns. She has created some of the most amazing and beautiful spaces. On top of that, she has turned these barns into wedding venues and runs one of the biggest venues in Michigan. She has shown me what hard work is and that everything you want in life doesn’t have to be accomplished all at the same time.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
When I wrote ‘Hate The Day’ I had gone through a pretty rough breakup that really shook me to my core. At the time, I was completely shocked by it and didn’t fully understand why we broke up, but we didn’t talk much after so I felt like I never got the closure I wanted from it. Since the guy I dated was also a songwriter, I would listen to the songs he’d release and wonder if they were about me or if they would help give me any sort of clarity or idea of what he was feeling. There was one song in particular I heard that only confused me more and made it harder for me to let go. So I was inspired to write my song ‘Hate The Day’ because it symbolizes him moving on and fully letting go. The day when he writes his last song about me is the day I know it’s time for me to let go too.
How would you like to inspire people?
Having my heart broken has been the biggest lesson in my life. Heartbreak and loss is one of the most painful things someone can go through. However, I think it can be one of the biggest blessings if you allow it. I hope listening to my music helps heal and empower people going through something like this. I want to show the beauty in the pain and also the light at the end of the tunnel. There is always hope.
