2020 has been a breakthrough year for Cass Hopetoun.  In January she won the Tamworth Songwriter’s Association talent quest before releasing her debut single ‘Shots’ independently in March. In April she signed to Compass Bros Records. In May she opened for Casey Donovan at Australia's first ever pandemic drive-in concert, performed live on Channel 7's Sunrise and ‘Shots’ reached #4 on The Music Network Country Airplay Chart. In September Cass’s follow up single ‘Typical Bride’ peaked at #1 on that same chart. Typical Bride also hit the #1 spot on 2TM’s Top 20 and #3 on KIX Country’s Hottest 20 charts. Both singles were added to full rotation on CMC/CMT respectively and to Spotify and Apple Music playlists.

Cass stumbled upon her talent for song when a friend “dragged her along to the choir” as a young student in Sydney’s Blue Mountains. She learned piano, took singing lessons and idolised Delta Goodrem but the song writing of Dolly Parton and Brandy Clark soon became her driving influences.

Her latest single 'Fortune Teller' was produced by Matt Fell and recorded at his Love Hz Studios in Sydney. It was inspired by a 2019 trip to New Orleans. “I went to a fortune teller,” recalls Hopetoun, “and just knew I had to write about one. I wanted to capture the New Orleans vibe – all those jazzy and mysterious flavours that the streets of the French Quarter have to offer. The song evolved into being about people who they think they know what’s best for you. This is me telling them to mind their own business.”

Cass’s debut album, produced by Matt Fell, will be released in 2021.

Songs featured in this episode:

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