Mariae Cassandra on ‘Everything in My Backpocket’ and touring Australia
The up-and-coming Australian rock singer discusses her unique sound and newfound success.
Photo: Press
Back in October, I was asked to review rock singer Mariae Cassandra’s single Theodore from her debut EP, Everything in my Backpocket. In doing so, I found a surprisingly original sound and shockingly mature voice from a seventeen-year-old artist. Three months later, I finally got the chance to interview the artist who had been one of my most pleasant surprises of 2025. Here’s what she had to say about the track and what’s coming up in her career.
You released a few singles previously to Everything in my Backpocket. What made you decide to write and release a full EP?
Well, first, I write a lot more than I realise. I’ve been holding on to a lot of these songs for so long, and I was just itching to release a project. I was lucky enough to have an incredible team by my side.
The concept of Everything in my Backpocket is perfect for this EP. It encapsulates all the feelings and memories you carry around with you. How did you settle on that theme and that phrase for your EP title?
I found it very interesting that all these songs were all written during different periods of time and not in one sitting, and I thought it’d be cool to also tie into the lyric in Love Vomit: “place it in my back pocket”. But also, after digging through the archives of my songwriting journal, I seemed to love the word ‘pocket’. And I also love a good long EP/album title.
What was the first song you wrote for the EP, and how did it come about?
The first song I wrote for the EP is the last song on the track list, and it’s called Better. I wrote that song when I was fifteen years old, and I noticed that [the] majority of my peers knew of someone or was someone who were invested in drug intake. It made me sad knowing that some people I grew up with were involved in things like that, and a part of me blamed myself for not being able to stop it before it happened.
I do love this song a lot and I think it’s a perfect example of the idea that kids really do pay attention to what’s happening around them — we’re a lot more observant than people think we are.
You have such a strong style and voice for an artist who is only seventeen. Are there any artists who have been big inspirations for you as you figure out your own style?
Ranging from lyrics to sound: Spacey Jane, Lizzy McAlpine, LANY, beabadoobee, Clairo, NIKI.
I’ve heard you’re going on tour in the new year. What will you be up to besides performing? Maybe hobbies you take with you or a new city you’re excited to explore? Any songs you’ll be listening to on repeat?
I got a bunch of paint for Christmas, and I am so excited to just sit in silence, listen to (probably) Daniel Caesar on repeat and just immerse myself in any type of art. I journal a lot, so I want to do that more, as well as read a lot more self-help books.
What’s one dream city or venue that you’d love to play in the future?
I love playing in Perth so much, and I think it’d just be really sick to sell out a show at the Belvoir Amphitheatre or even Astor Theatre.
Finally, a big congrats on the new EP. I personally have loved listening to it and am excited to see what you do next. What are you most excited about with this next stage in your career?
I am just excited to try and experience new things. I love performing so I hope I get to do that a lot this year.
Everything in my Backpocket is out now.