Casey Elise: Storming the First Coast Music Community in Style
Thanks for your time. So tell us in what part of the First Coast do you reside now and how long have you lived there?
Currently, I reside in Ponte Vedra Beach. I migrated last year from the Atlantic Highlands area (just over the ditch on Atlantic Blvd.), where I lived for ten years.
When did you know you had an interest in music?
Likely forever! My father was in a Led Zeppelin cover band in college and my mother saw the Beatles in New York City at age 15, so a love of music is probably encoded in my DNA. My earliest memory of music comes from my time as a toddler. I had a LOT of energy! My parents perched me on a rocking horse and gave me two albums: The Best of Elton John (a double album, actually) and The Best of Blondie. I would listen and rock for HOURS! I still have the Elton John albums.
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
I took piano lessons up until age 13 and sang in my parochial high school’s choir to feed the voracious musical she-wolf inside me. One day – MUCH later in life – I asked my father to teach me to play rhythm guitar. I did not keep up with those lessons but plan to pick it back up this year! In both of my bands I add a little percussion in the form of tambourine and egg shakers.
I am so fortunate to provide lead vocals and occasional percussion to two bands: Casey & the FOG and Lady & the Tramp. The former is a high-energy mélange of classic rock, pop rock and punk rock. The latter is acoustic covers and original tunes that integrate every decade and genre. I have a LOT of fun with both!
Who is your favorite musician or what musician influenced you the most?
My favorite band of all-time is Radiohead. However, my on-stage persona is inspired by David Bowie, Scott Weiland and Lady Gaga. All of them had or have a strong personal style but really grasped the mantra of “leaving it all on the stage”. Lady Gaga taught me the most about how important it is to connect with your audience on-stage and with people off-stage.
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?
I have a few! With Casey & the FOG, last year was truly a banner year. We were invited to play the Headless Bangers Costume Ball with Bedrock and, holy cow, was that FUN! Over 500 people danced the night away at the co-headlined event in World Golf Village. We will be performing again on October 26th! Then in November, we were voted Stage 904’s Featured Band of the Month.
Lady & the Tramp is a newer project (not even a year old!) but we have cultivated an amazing following of family, friends and fellow musicians. We are really excited to be playing at Jax Craft Beer on August 2nd – performing ALL original tunes written by my band mate Eric Goldstein!
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
There are a LOT of bands I could recommend to go out to hear, but one is very special to me. One of the first bands I ever heard when I moved here from South Florida was Vegas Gray. They are a family band (father and daughter) which resonates with me since my father plays lead guitar in Casey & the FOG. They no longer perform as a full band, but you can catch a few of them as an acoustic duo, trio or spinoff duo Evan and Lauren (aka Baby Gray).
One band I have yet to hear but would love to is the Pink Paisleys. I love their (mostly) girl power and admire how long they have been performing along the First Coast and are still at the top of their game!
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
Arnold’s in St. Augustine! While neither of my bands have played there (yet!), I provided guest vocals to Bedrock, an 80s hair band tribute band around New Year’s of last year. Arnold’s has a great stage to perform on – no matter the size of the band, a big dance floor and lots of fun patrons who love to get out there and have a good time. Props to Patrick behind the bar and to Tony and the Skinners who keep that dance floor rockin’ nearly every weekend!
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
I sure do! While I post on both of my band’s pages, Casey and the Fog and Lady & The Tramp you can always follow me on Facebook at Casey Elise to get a list of gigs all in one place.
What is the best way for musicians to network?
Get out and support other bands! Even when I am at my most exhausted, I am at my happiest when I am surrounded by music and musical friends. Follow What’s Shakin’ Jax? or Stage904.com‘s Jam Report – they have comprehensive lists of who is playing and where – any day of the week! I have heard some incredible musicians and cultivated lasting friendships with some truly remarkable humans as a result of nerding out at their gigs. I always post videos from the show and tag them in a “band appreciation” post on the socials.
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?
BIG shoutouts to: each and every one of the Culhane’s family members, Tom Fisher of Whiskey Jax, J.C. Jarosz of Taps, James Lowe of 9 Ball Heaven, Tona Quinn of Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery, and Bert and Jeanina Reinschmidt of Dick’s Wings and Grill (multiple locations). Sending love also to all of our local American Legion posts, Moose Lodges, and Orioles Nest for your incredible support of the First Coast music scene – especially up and coming musicians.
Personal hobbies or interests?
My second biggest love – other than music – is nature. I am a huge bird nerd and forest fairy and enjoy hiking just about anywhere. I grew up in Northwest New Jersey with many fond memories of disappearing all day on my bike to explore nature, so my happy place will always be somewhere with a big forest surrounded by mountains.
I also have BIG TIME wanderlust and love to travel. I’ve visited 20 countries in six years!
Finally, I try and attend as many concerts as I can – my record is 32 in one year – but gigging has made that difficult lately!
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
The best thing about living on the First Coast is easily the people. For being such a large and diverse area, it has a “small town” feel. It is so refreshing and inspiring to see how much our communities support other. From locally-owned restaurants who use local suppliers like Congaree & Penn, the French Pantry, Cinotti’s Bakery, Manifest and St. Augustine Distilleries etc. to other musicians who like and follow your page, share your events and show up at your gigs – there is nothing like our community!
Where and how can folks learn more about you and/or your band? Links to your website?
Please like and follow: Casey & the FOG and Lady & the Tramp: .
We are also on YouTube: Casey And The FOG Lady and the Tramp Band FL
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone reading this?
I might portray a larger-than-life stage character, but at the end of the day, I’m just a girl who’s grateful. Grateful to be here, grateful for my band mates, grateful for the venues who book us, and grateful to the people who come to our shows, share our gigs on the socials and show us love in so many ways.
While you’re a performer, you’re also something of a style icon. What inspires you?
Me! My parents instilled the value and the power of being your own person in me from a very early age. Depending on which band I am performing with and where we are playing, I tailor my on-stage outfits. I also name all of my gig outfits – some of them include “Intergalactic Space Princess” and “80s Prom Barbie”. I have a lot of fun with them!
What does the FOG stand for in Casey & the FOG? And, who is the Lady and who is the Tramp?
Come and see us! I’ll buy you a beverage of choice and tell you!
What’s next for you?
I started writing songs earlier this year! I’m finally at the point where I’m ready to start putting the lyrics to music. We shall see where this takes me!
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
One Response
Great interview!