Joe Kaplow, Cassandra Johnson, Ducksmithson

Lineup

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  Joe KaplowScene Band

  Serious man with strings.

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  Cassandra JohnsonScene Band

  Singer-Songwriter · Minneapolis

  Cassandra was born and raised in a rural farming town in North Dakota and currently resides in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is active in the Twin Cities music scene and across genres both as a guitarist and solo artist. Some of her work as a guitarist includes performing with The Good Time Gals at the Minnesota State Fair, accompanying singer/songwriter Sammie Jean, and composing for her own jazz/indie band Astronomy Town. As well as supporting others, Cassandra performs her original songs as a solo act. Writing and composing is one of Cassandra's favorite ways to process the world and communicate with others. She has been writing since 2014. Her self produced record "The Songs You Missed" was released on November 15th, 2024. She has nothing to hide in her honest, evocative lyrical writing. She elevates her moving melodies and autobiographical lyrics with rich guitar arrangements so that every song feels like a little world unto itself. Though she has been musical her whole life by singing in choirs, playing trumpet, and studying music in college, by her mid-twenties Cassandra was still looking for her voice, her instrument. During the early months of lockdown in 2020, Cassandra decided to distract herself by learning guitar. Youtube and self discipline became her teachers. Initially the intention was to learn the basics in hopes to find her songwriting instrument. However, her passion for the guitar set ablaze so deeply that she has spent much of her time playing the instrument and exploring various styles including neo-soul, jazz, funk, indie-pop, alternative, folk, country-folk, and americana. Each one of these flavors have been effortlessly balanced to create a sound all her own. Along with live performance, Cassandra has a rich online presence through her Instagram. She is the founder of Friday Riffday, a project that started as a joyful and lighthearted way for her to track her progress while learning guitar. It has grown into a successful online community, reaching individuals from around the globe and inspiring authenticity in music representation on social media. Over 1000 posts have been shared to #fridayriffday. Curious and outgoing, Cassandra has endless passion to look for ways to expand her horizons in music and expression. Fostering deep and personal relationships through community with fellow musicians and artists keeps Cassandra inspired. Keep in touch with Cassandra to see what is she is up to next!

• Ducksmithson