Cassia

Hailing from the northern English town of Macclesfield, the indie trio Cassia fuses African and global musical influences with their distinctive take on British indie rock, creating a sound that evokes tropical vibes rather than typical regional expectations.

The band originated in Macclesfield's market setting, where Rob Thomas handled vocals and guitar, Lou Cotterill played bass, and Jacob Jeff managed drums; their creative direction drew heavily from Thomas's early years. During his upbringing in Zambia, Thomas encountered West African sounds, particularly through his grandfather's diverse vinyl assortment. Drawing equal influence from acts like Vampire Weekend and Bombay Bicycle Club alongside Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor, the musicians developed a style merging Mancunian indie pop with African and international elements.

In 2016, the group issued their initial singles "Moana," "Paradise Beach," and "100 Times Over," which helped cultivate a dedicated following via relentless live performances and organic recommendations highlighting their dynamic stage presence. Following the 2018 release of the EP Movers and Shakers, they inked a deal with Distiller Records. That same year marked the emergence of initial tracks from their first full-length project, featuring updated recordings of prior songs, culminating in the early 2019 launch of the debut album Replica.