There’s an undeniable buzz around indie pop singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley. Leading the awards tally at this year’s Queensland Music Awards, she took home the esteemed Song of The Year and Best Pop awards with her hit, King of Disappointment; which she followed up with an enchanting live rendition on the awards stage. Now the young star reveals her newest release, Texas Ain’t That Far, Is It Dear?
The hook-laden up-tempo track is driven by nostalgic synth tones and Jem’s captivating vocal. It’s both brooding and playful, as the singer laments a would-be romance. “I wrote this track about someone I loved very much moving away to Texas for university,” admits Jem, singing “Now every single day gets harder / I never got the chance to say I love you” in the opening verse. “Although we knew it was coming since the day we met, things got harder as the day he was leaving slowly approached. At this point, I was trying my best to convince myself that Texas wasn’t on the other side of the world and that everything would work out.”
Initially penning the earworm in the winter of 2022, Jem sought the help of collaborator, Celeste Newman, for the final flourish. Together they coaxed a deeply personal experience onto the page. “It is incredibly close to my heart, as I resonate with every single word in the song!”
Jem reached out to her usual partner-in-crime, Garrett Kato (Tones and I, Pete Murray, Busby Marou), when searching for the track’s unique sound. “Garrett and I have worked together closely. In fact, Garrett co-wrote, recorded and produced my first single, Letting Go, with me in 2021.”
In addition to her recent achievement at the QMA’s, Jem recently clocked over 8 million overall streams, as her music continues to rise in popularity. Delighting fans old and new on the road, she also recently completed a national tour with Kita Alexander and opened for Aussie superstar, Jess Mauboy.
Since her 2021 debut, Jem Cassar-Daley has enjoyed a swift and well-deserved rise to the spotlight. Texas Ain’t That Far, Is It Dear? is undoubtedly the next in a lineage of personal and catchy songs, that showcase Jem’s world class song writing prowess and performance.
With thanks to Wildheart Publicity
