Words by Keane Fletcher

Queensland-based musician Caesar might be miles away from any hotspots at the moment, but that doesn't mean he's entirely safe. From 'CATCHING FEELS' that is, a pandemic that's been running the human race ragged since the beginning of time, as well as being the name of his sexy new single, a salsa-inspired hip-hop jam that's perfect for your summer playlist.

'When I’m creating a song I’ll usually just try and freestyle,' says Caesar. 'When I first heard [the 'CATCHING FEELS' beat] I knew I wanted to challenge myself and be as versatile as I could be. I started off by trying different melodies until I found the right one...I wanted to showcase my ability to not only write melodically, but I also wanted to incorporate bars that would make the listener want to replay the song and listen to it again and again.'

And that's exactly what we've been doing. Call us hypochondriacs but we'd have to say we're hooked. We've well and truly caught the Caesar bug. Now give us a cocktail and sunset while we go and socially distance ourselves on a beach somewhere!

We recently caught up with Caesar to talk all things music, inspo, and pandemics. Check it out below!

1- Where in the world are you based at the moment?

Right now I’m based in Emerald, Central Queensland. 

2- How did you first get into music? What are your musical influences?

I first got into music at a very young age when my dad bought me a guitar and a mic for Christmas. Ever since then I’ve loved the idea of making music. My musical influences have to be my parents, coming from a strong Samoan background. I’ve always grown up around music especially heaps of island music, my influences ranging from Zipso to Dj Noiz. From a young age I was always a big fan of Michael Jackson, Tupac and James Brown. Recently though my inspirations have been B Young, Bryson Tiller, Drake, Stacy Money and Jack Harlow. 

3- How does the songwriting process usually work for you? Do you have a routine when it comes to writing and recording, or does inspiration usually take you by surprise?

When I’m creating a song I’ll usually just try and freestyle on the beat. I’ll record that freestyle as well because sometimes I’ll just say a mad line then forget it right after. If I have writer's block I usually ask the boys if they're keen to spit some bars and that’s usually how my inspiration takes me by surprise. 

4- Your latest single 'CATCHING FEELS' is sexy summer hip-hop flecked with bits of salsa-inspired guitar. Can you tell us a bit about the story behind this song?

When I first heard that beat I knew I wanted to challenge myself and be as versatile as I could be. I started off by trying different melodies until I found the right one. As well as writing ‘CATCHING FEELS’ I wanted to showcase my ability to not only write melodically, but I also wanted to incorporate bars that would make the listener want to replay the song and listen to it again and again.

5- How has the COVID-19 situation affected your work and creativity this year?

Well I work at Woolworths and at the beginning of the year when COVID-19 was hectic, I was having less time to really think about the songs that I was writing due to it being way too busy. So I decided that I’d take a break from writing and recording, until I was able to go back to my normal hours. In a way I could say that COVID-19 helped me write better because during those two months or even more I had a list of lines that I would just randomly think of then write them down to use at a later date. 

6- What would be your dream collaboration?

My dream collab would have to be Don Toliver hands down.

7- What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

The best piece of advice I ever got was to keep doing what I love and that’s music! Throughout my life anyone and everyone who knows me have always told me the same thing, 'If I love it do it'. There were times that I doubted myself, where I told myself, am I doing this all for nothing?'. Recently though, my whole outlook on music has changed, I don’t really care if I pop off or not I’m really just doing this thing for the love of it. 

8- What's next for you?

I’ve been working on a song with this up and coming producer in New Zealand, Ramone, so keep an eye out on that. I’m also working on a music video for ‘CATCHING FEELS’. There are more projects in the works though and I’m keen to showcase them soon! I’m also dropping a mixtape very soon as well! 

Thanks for stopping by Hipland!