Becoming a Rockstar

What’s the road to becoming a rockstar? For Casey Harris, who is legally blind, it all started by tuning pianos. Now the 34-year old performs around the world as the keyboardist for the alt-rock band X Ambassadors. In this episode, Casey tells us about growing up in Ithaca, how his brother Sam and him would always fight as kids and how they nonetheless started making music together; also, what every newcomer band should consider when they want to be taken seriously.

On September 24th 2021, X Ambassadors will release their new album "Beautiful Liar". The interview was conducted in the summer of 2019 at Casey's house in Ithaca, NY.

Credits Editing

Florenz Gilly and Marietta Synodis

Music

Permission to use X Ambassador's original music was kindly granted to us for free by Kobalt Music Publishing [BMI].

Songs used:
Litost, Unconsolable, Renegades, Superpower, Gorgeous.

All songs written by Adam Levin, Samuel Nelson Harris and Casey Wakeley Harris (X Ambassadors) as well as former band member Noah G Feldshuh.

Both piano pieces in the beginning and in the end of this episode are recordings by Casey Harris. The "raw, stripped-down, acoustic version of 'Unconsolable'" was recorded on a "Big Ugly Yellow Couch" (See video here.)

With special thanks to Terra Simon, Bill Reed and Ann Markwell. 

Jingle

The Fall Creek Brass Band, Richie and Rosie, Ross