Cassette

By Miriam Lamey

Photo by JB Galusha

We’re a different take on the average rock band,” claims Nathanael Bluhm, lead singer of the Boston-based band Cassette. “Different” seems to be quite the understatement; “diverse” and “surprising” are far more apt descriptions. In brief, Cassette creates complex electronic music with a theatrical bent, and all five musicians transmit a genuine devotion to their craft.

Cassette consists of vocalist/songwriter Bluhm, keyboardists Michael Potvin and Joe Wawzryn, bassist Patrick Dole, and drummer Tucker Dawson. While some members perform with other bands, namely The Information (Dole), The Westward Trail (Wawzryn) and The Campaign For Real-Time (Potvin), this fact doesn’t detract from the musicians’ dedication to Cassette. Bluhm explains, “It’s kind of a blessing that everything has come together as well as it has with the band.” Cassette was formed in a pretty relaxed fashion; the guys seemed to gravitate towards each other, each bringing something musically distinct to Cassette, which only adds to the band’s individuality.

Bluhm and Potvin were Cassette’s early lineup. According to Bluhm, the duo originally “played [live] with an iPod.” Said iPod has since retired and morphed into a couple of keyboards, a Moog synthesizer, bass guitar, and drums. This litany of gear essentially forms Cassette’s electronic sound.

“A lot of the stuff is between the keyboards and electronic drums,” Dole explains. “We blend acoustic drums with electronic drums. We definitely can’t play all of the songs [live], but we try. We play with cool guitar pedals ... [and] get pretty close.” Cassette’s musical complexity is obvious to some, yet the band hopes the songs are seamless. Bluhm muses: “[If listeners] don’t pick up on the subtleties, I think ... it means that we’re effective. The worst thing that you want to do is sound mathematical.”

While it’s not a good idea to describe Cassette’s music as “mathematical,” it’s equally unfair to write them off as simply sounding like, say, Magnetic Fields. Granted, on Cassette’s album, Broadway Showstoppers, Bluhm’s voice is indeed reminiscent of Stephen Merritt’s; as to why, however, Bluhm is equally mystified. “I don’t really listen to Magnetic Fields,” Bluhm commented. “I respect [Merritt] and I think he’s a great songwriter ... [but] we’re totally stylistically different ... I would consider [Sparks] an influence, much more so [than Magnetic Fields].”

In fact, Cassette seems to dislike comparisons to other electronic bands, preferering to allow the music to speak for itself. Bluhm understands the difficulties of escaping genre-based associations. “[We play] electronic music; [people are] going to compare us to other electronic acts, even though that may not necessarily be where we’re coming from,” Bluhm concludes.

A largely unassuming collection of musicians, Cassette has created something spectacular. The end result of their collaboration? A brilliant synth-pop electronic sound, imbued with passion and a good sense of humor — and, most significantly, a true desire for creating and performing music.

“We exist and if we can make people enjoy the music, cool,” Dole states. “If we’re kind of true to what we’re doing, people will like it.”

The band doesn’t intend to merely please a crowd; these guys are serious and professional. “Our job is to be well rehearsed ahead of time,” Dole explains. “I definitely think that a band needs to give 110% out there. [We] entertain the people who want to be entertained.”

www.wearecassette.com