In their recent Nina video interview, the New York band Water From Your Eyes praised Cashier as an “underrated American DIY band,” and I wholeheartedly agree. I recently caught the Lafayette, Louisiana four-piece at a Julia’s War showcase under the fluorescent glow of a sticky-floored convenience store. They tore. Their recorded material captures the all-encompassing noisiness and roaring emotional charge that makes their live set so powerful. I asked Kylie Gaspard, who fronts the band, about church, cartoon characters, and shoegaze … among other things. I also got some intel on Cashier’s coolest admirer. Read the interview, and listen to their song “Angels All Around,” below.
What was your reaction to fellow Louisianan Frank Ocean posting “Beginner” on his Instagram story? Are you fans of his?
Kylie Gaspard: Of course I’m a Frank Ocean fan! He is one of the most influential artists of this century. To have him post us was kind of crazy-surreal actually. One night we were playing a show and all of a sudden my phone was blowing up: “frank posted you,” “frank put you on his story”... like Frank who? Never in my life did I think it would be Frank Ocean. We owe a lot of our exposure to him, so I’m very grateful for that moment.
How do you feel about the “shoegaze” label? What are your thoughts on the weird internet-driven turn it took a couple years ago?
I’ve been saying that “shoegaze” is the new “indie.” Back in the late 2000s/early 2010s, we were slapping the term “indie” on everything—we still do. I blame the Deftones resurgence on TikTok. Since when are they shoegaze? I thought they were nü-metal but all the TikTokkers kept calling it shoegaze, so now the term is a little obscured. I think now if a band is coined as a “shoegaze” band … it usually just means the guitars sound good. I don’t personally subscribe to being a “shoegaze” band; I’m happy to be included, but I usually say we are alt-rock.
Much like shoegaze, something called an “onion boil” was trending on TikTok recently. Is it sacrilegious to make a seafood boil without the seafood?
As a Cajun I think I have to say yes, but the onion boils I’ve seen online look so good. I think I could make a really good one. But none of them beat a boiled onion from a crawfish boil. They’re missing that seafood flavor!
Did you listen to the Addison Rae album? She’s also from Lafayette.
I did—I think it’s a great pop album. Lafayette produces a lot of amazing musicians/artists. Her record reminds me of 2000s Madonna, and I remember people absolutely hating that era of hers but I think her album Music is such innovative pop. I think Addison Rae or Brat would have never existed without that record. For some reason, Addison’s album has been polarizing online, but I’m a fan. I think people are missing the camp element of being a modern pop star. It’s got great production, a great progression through the album, the songs are catchy and pop-y, and her voice sounds pretty … what more can you ask for?
You’ve nodded to religion before. Are any of you devout? Have you ever viewed playing shows as a church-like experience?
I used to be a very committed evangelical christian until I was about 20 years old. I studied theology for many years in college and struggled for a long time with religion, so it was definitely a huge part of my life for a long time. Sprinkling in religious buzzwords like “devine” or “angels” or pretty much all the lyrics for “Fear of the Past” give the songs a more personal meaning to me. Yes, a lot of the songs explore relationships and personal longing, but who or what is that longing for? It’s up to the listener, I guess. I think any live show is “church-like.” We are a community of people gathering together to connect through the spiritual impact of music. I don’t think we are necessarily “worshipping” anything in particular, but music carries a spiritual/vibrational energy that I think none of us can deny.
Kinda like this meme:
I read in the my little underground zine that the cartoon character featured on your single artwork is from the 1995 animated film The Seventh Brother. It includes a song with the lyrics “danger’s all around.” Did this inspire your song “Angels All Around?”
Actually, yes! That’s an amazing catch ... I don’t even think my band knows that, ha ha. It’s kind of my kiss goodbye to using that art. One final reference. The song that’s playing in the movie happens during the bunny’s transformation into the devil version of himself. This song isn’t about the movie at all but the title is definitely a nod.
Can you give us the pedalboard rundown?
Strobo tuner, Silver Horse overdrive, The Lover fuzz pedal (made by Empty Head Effects … kind of my fav pedal right now), into the RAT, a Holy Grail reverb, currently a Russian Big Muff, and an Ibanez DE7 delay.
You’ve opened for Dinosaur Jr., and you’re opening for Whirr soon. What bill are you hoping to be on next?
Foo Fighters world tour.
Have any of you worked as cashiers?
Only I have, for 9 years … Really makes you wanna quit working and start a rock band.
