CapRadio Classical and Jazz is celebrating Women in Music all month long, including four spotlights on local musicians who have made an impact in our community.
It can be difficult to take that first step, in both music and in life. Waiting for the right opportunity to come along works sometimes, but often it doesn’t. Whether it’s learning a new piece or simply starting a new chapter in life, you’ve got to set it in motion somehow.
Vocalist and bassist Casey Lipka believes that the answer is simple. Just show up.
Lipka is an instrumentalist, vocalist and composer that splits her time between Sacramento and Los Angeles. A consummate collaborator, she has formed several of her own groups, toured with the popular Sacramento rock band CAKE, and has composed music for ballet dancers and museum installations among others.
Lately she’s focused mainly on original music, including a debut solo EP that’s out this month.
Lipka recently spoke with CapRadio Classical Host Jennifer Reason to discuss expressing herself through music and the power of simply showing up.
Interview Highlights
On what drew her to playing music
I started as a singer and bass is my bridge to the world of instrumental music. I am drawn to jazz music, but I also love singer-songwriter music and pop music. Anything that reaches me, and that could be anything.
On her current musical projects
I'm part of a folk trio that I love and adore called Dear Darling, but I'm very excited about my solo debut EP It's called "Show Up" and the music reflects on themes of what “showing up” looks like. I believe that sometimes that can be the hardest part, to show up even when you're scared to ask for help, to take a break, to express care for people that you love, to make space; and this is a body of music that reflects on those themes. It was time, and it is the time to show up. One of the songs on the album is called "Better Get Going," and it is about just that. Go do the thing. You can talk about it, you can think about it, you can dream about it, but go do it.
On getting into coaching
Following your dreams is brave and courageous and scary and challenging. I found the world of coaching and went through a year-long coaching certification program that really transformed my life. It has been so transformational for me that it's a part of how I would like to walk through the world.
On the music scene in Sacramento
Sacramento is a place where you can really foster dreams and ideas. There is space. There are venues. There is community here. There's people that are willing to say, “yes, let's go play that thing,” and “oh, I’ll support your idea,” or “oh yeah, I'll meet you and do this thing,” or “hey, I don't know what's happening but I want to be there,” and that is so special. Sacramento is a place that is filled with possibility.
On the future of her career
I think I used to have an idea of where I wanted exactly to go, but I feel much more grounded in my purpose as a human being and as an artist, which is to uplift and inspire through creativity, collaboration and connection. As long as I am doing that, I'm happy.
