Her song, Like It Loud, has become an anthem for young girls, and guys, everywhere. Not bad for a 23-year-old Aussie chick who is getting major airplay both here and in the highly competitive US music scene! Kate catches up with Cassie for a chat to suss out her hot new album, love for music and new celeb connections!-check it out!

You were given your first guitar at 8 and started recording your own records at 13, that shows a lot of focus and ambition…Did you ever believe at that stage that you would be as successful as you have been?
I think you always have hope that you will have success and that you will hear your song on the radio and all that kind of thing. I guess I never really thought about it in too much depth. I just wanted to make and produce music, which was my main passion. All of these wonderful things that have happened have given me feelings that are too hard to explain.

With Like it Loud, tell us what was the motive or intention behind that song?
I wrote that song a couple of years ago. I was in New York at that time and I just had a really bad day. As the lyrics say, I broke the heel on my favourite pair of shoes, dropped my phone and it floated down the drain. It was such a horrible day and I think Like it Loud is about getting away from everything and turning the music up but also not just about music being loud but also about living life loud, like wearing a loud outfit (like me who likes to wear weird clothes) and having a loud personality, all those types of things.

How do your tracks come about? Do you have a system when creating your music?
No, not at all, I just let it come naturally. With Like It Loud I got the base line of the song, which was the first thing that came to me. I like to experiment with different styles, mixing it up with a bit of urban, a bit of pop and even a bit of punk… I just like to bring together all the things that I love and make it my own.

Can you confine your music style to one genre? If so, which one?
I try not to put anything into a box, especially for this album in particular. I didn’t want to not try something just because it wasn’t the right genre or wouldn’t fit to one mould.

I heard that you have collaborated with some big name artists, including Fergie. How was it working with her?
It’s a little weird. You see all these people on TV and you only see that persona and that thing that is presented to you so I think getting to meet them in person and seeing their personality and how down to earth a lot of these people really are its kind of encouraging. Fergie really showed me that you don’t have to put on an act to become appealing, you can just be yourself.

What other celebs have you met/worked with?
Oh gosh! I have had some amazing opportunities to meet different cool people. I got to meet Pink last time I was in L.A. She was really cool. One of those people who you see on TV or see her in her music videos and think gosh, how cool is she, and she really is that awesome.

How long were you based in the US before you made your way back to launch your new album?
Well, for this album I was there for all of 2008 but had been previously working in the States with my sister, Emma. Emma and I have a record label together so we have been going to NY since I was 18, which would have been since 2003.

That is impressive, your own record label since you were 18! How did Sony come to pick up your label?
They were really interested in me as an artist at first. I had already signed myself to my own record label so the proposal to them was kind of like, you have to take both if you want me, sorta deal… which worked out really well. Sony has been really cool about it all, they have been really supportive and basically a great partner.

What do you want people to know about your latest album?
Oh gosh!! I guess that it really is me that you are hearing. It is 100 per cent from my heart. A lot of the time artists don’t have the opportunity that I have had to make the music themselves - to produce it and write the guitar line and produce the drums…. um, so I guess I just feel really blessed and I hope they can just see a lot of me in the music.

What advice would you give to young girls who have the same aspirations as you did to break into the music industry?
I’d give two pieces of advice.

1. Obviously, there are a lot of people who love music and want to make it big in the industry and it is of course really tough to do so. But I guess what separates people that are going to be successful to the ones that aren’t isn’t necessarily their talent, it’s the passion and the drive behind them. Simply not giving up. I can’t tell you how many times I have been knocked back and told no. If I had decided it’s not going to happen and listened to those people I wouldn’t be where I am.
2. Don’t get too high on the highs and don’t get too low on the lows. That’s something I have learned ‘cos it’s a roller coaster and if you were going to let your emotions take over you would lose your mind.

Can you name any specific struggles that you’ve experienced?
I have been knocked back by I don’t know how many record labels and it is so crazy. The labels that knocked me back previously when I signed to Sony were also willing to have me on their labels so it was the right time for me I guess.

I suppose something that would often help would be a good support system, who supports you?
My family give me amazing support. I have my little brother who tours with me and is the guitarist in my band, and it really helps having good friends too.

Which musicians do you look up to?
Even though we are really different in terms of sound and style, I would have to say Kanye West. He has a record label, he is well respected artist and songwriter/producer just like myself. He is everything I aspire to be in this industry.

I got the heads up from Sony that you are about to release a new single. Can you tell me about that?
Differently is the second single on the album. I wrote this song with a really good friend of mine who is the music director for the Black Eyed Peas. It’s a really unique sort of track and you can recognise both of our influences within it. He wrote a lot of the hits for the Black Eyed Peas so his style is very urban and very hip hop, so when we came together it was sort of a really cool fuse. There was a lot of electric guitars and pop/punk vibes all happening at once which made it really fresh.

What’s next for you Cassie, a tour?
I’m not too sure about tours as there is nothing set in stone yet but I am itching to get out and do it. Hopefully it’s not too far away.

You’ve also just partnered with Supre to create a line of t-shirts, how did that come about?
Em (sister) and I had been talking about doing something with T-shirts for the Like it Loud single and I am basically a self-professed Supre nut. I think they have really cool stuff and thought it would be fun to do something with them.

Something you can’t live without is…
Oh my gosh, ok, I can’t live without my laptop… I am a facebook girl!

Fav fashion trend is …
I’m very into high wasted pieces like little shorts and skirts…

My life Mantra is…
As I said before, don’t get to high on the highs or too low on the lows…

Favourite TV show is…
Oooh tough one, I’m such a reality junky but I’m going to have to say That 70’s Show because it doesn’t matter what episode I’m watching I just love it.

Who’s the hottest guy celeb right now?
Will-I-AM. I think it’s just his whole demeanor that I think is extremely hot!