From late 1999 to early 2008, Cassidy Catanzaro was the frontwoman and primary songwriter in Antigone Rising. After releasing four independent albums, the all-female rock band was signed to Lava/Atlantic Records, and its 2005 major label debut From the Ground Up sold upwards of 500,000 copies.
Celebrated for the excitement of her live performances, Cassidy toured/played shows with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Dave Matthews, Rob Thomas, The Allman Brothers, Macy Gray, Raphael Saadiq, Charice & Norah Jones.
After releasing music as The Cassidy Project in 2009/2010, she moved West and adopted the name Bohème to mark a new chapter in her career, and in her life.
The excitement continues with her recently released album Follow The Freedom, which contains the infectious single "Blind Spot". Having just finished a round of sold-out shows on the East coast, she's gearing up for a month-long Tuesday night residency (in June) at The (refreshingly cool) Mint in West LA.
Before indulging in four delicious bites of sumptuous Mint, Bohème sampled a tasty bowl of steaming hot Mack with a dash of finely grated Parmesan cheese.
1. I have friends in a band called New Years Day that have been battling the U2 song of the same name in the Google search results sweepstakes. You’re up against the revered opera of Giacomo Puccini, which has 116-year head-start on you. Is there any literal or tangential connection to the Henri Murger novel Scènes de la vie de bohème from which La Bohème is based?
Bohème: Not particularly beyond the shared romanticization of the Bohemian lifestyle which Murger's short stories portrayed. I do sometimes Google Bohème though and wonder what I'm doing in a bustle and pin curls and I realize it's the opera and not me.
2. I’m sure it was a blast being a young bohemian living in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the 1840s. Any plans to bring that carefree essence forward and do an intimate show or have a bacchanalian gathering at La Bohème in West Hollywood?
Bohème: My experience is one doesn't have to work too hard to create that atmosphere on any given night in WeHo. But I do encourage people to come, enjoy a cocktail and let their extensions down. It's gonna be a barn burner..that's a promise.
3. You were the lead singer of the all-female rock band Antigone Rising for 8 years and were able to play shows with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Dave Matthews and The Allman Brothers. Obviously, some of the most legendary highest-grossing touring acts ever! Out of all the soundchecks, shows, after-parties and the like, which one stands out and why?
Bohème: Oh man. Two come to mind, the night Gregg Allman stopped me in the hallway after everyone had gone and asked if he could get up and do one of my songs with us the next night in Kansas City. And the absolute Metropolis The Stones haul in and out of their backstage every night. Themed rooms...multiple cuisines. I'm pretty sure there was a French quarter...
4. You recently toured the East coast and are getting ready for a month-long Tuesday-night residency at The Mint in June. In addition to playing songs from your new album Follow The Freedom, will it be a Jon Brion Largo-vibe, where one night your pal Rob Thomas might join in on a duet of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” or Steve Perry might stop by to reprise the background vocals he contributed on the remix of the title track?
Bohème: Wouldn't that be awesome? They might rabbit...they might. :)
Where is the Best pizza?
Ray's Famous, Ray's, Famous Ray's, The Famous Rays Pizza (A little NYC humor)
Best sushi? Sushi Yasuda (204 East 43rd Street, NYC)
Best sports teams? Yankees and Jets
Letterman or Leno?
Not answering that. I'm trying to get on those shows!
Ferguson or Fallon? OK, Fallon...but really like Ferguson too.
Worst congestion? Cross Bronx nightmare horror show
Best music venue in each city? Beacon in NYC, The Mint in LA
Best shopping: Soho? Melrose? 5th Ave? Rodeo Drive? Or?
Elizabeth St area
6. You sing. You write. You act. You perform. You entertain. Any other passions that occupy your mind and your time?
Bohème: I like to jump rope and play with Lucy, my dog baby. I like to cook too...maj. And I really like hanging out with people who make me hysterically laugh. Laughing and things that are wickedly funny are a big passion.
7. Carson Daly just announced your back-story. You’re about to audition for The Voice. What song would you sing and which of the coaches would you want as yours and why?
Bohème: These are good questions! I would sing "Nobody Knows" by Pink and I'd want Xtina. She's still the best live singer out there period end of convo. Much to be learned from that diva.
8. Armed with a discretionary $1888 in cold hard cash to splurge wantonly, how would you spend the dolla billz?
Bohème: I'd pay for a month at a hotel for some homeless kids. There's a lot of them out here and I have a special pain in my heart for them.
9. Going one step further. Removing all logistics, you have 28 days to travel anywhere in the world at your leisure. You can travel extravagantly or thriftily. Where would you go? Anything in particular you would want to see or experience?
Bohème: I'd go to Tibet. For the reasons one goes there.
10. Is there a special Catanzaro family recipe that gets passed along to each generation? Or a new one concocted by you that will begin the tradition?
Bohème: Funnily enough...there's an italian stuffing recipe that's guarded like the nuke codes. I'm still working on getting my cousin drunk enough to let it leak.
11. Are there any charities or organizations that you support that you'd like to give a shout-out to?
Bohème: The Palmyra Foundation brings books to the school children of the poorest and most remote villages in Jamaica. They're a beautiful charity and very close to my heart. And anything in your town that helps homeless youth. Rob Thomas has Sidewalk Angels...do something for them if you can.
12. If you could spend a day with anyone (living or dead), whom would it be and why?
Bohème: The Dalai Lama. 'Cuz I need it. :)
BOHEME
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