Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Cassy Judy

Cassy Judy - The Cassy Judy Mixtape

Set to release on 07th Nov 2025, "The Cassy Judy Mixtape" delves deep into the artist's personal experiences, drawing inspiration from her time working as a criminal lawyer in Broken Hill and her journey as a trans woman. From poignant tracks like "Learn to Love Again" and "Love Letter to Society" to the upbeat vibes of "Xanthan Gum" and "I've Come So Far Calypso," this EP showcases Cassy Judy's ability to captivate audiences with her diverse musical palette. Recorded at Quarterpipe Studios in Gymea Bay, this release is a reflection of her unwavering passion for creating music that resonates with listeners on a profound level.

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Interview with Cassy Judy

What inspired you to turn your personal experiences into the songs on The Cassy Judy Mixtape?

I think deeply about society. Whilst I didn’t write the song “Learn to Love Again,” the lines “these walls are bringing us down and this infrastructure is bringing us down” really appealed to me.

I once read a John Birmingham book, “Leviathan,” that talked about Chifley Square and its “digital-ear opulence” with less privileged suburbs like Macquarie Fields off in the distance. Forgotten about, disregarded, ignored, and avoided.

I’ve never wanted to live like that. I never want to isolate myself in the leafy suburbs; I want to be exposed to the rich panoply of human experience.

That’s what “love letter to society” is about. Let’s actually look at and talk about the experiences of those who have to grow up around disadvantage and violence. Don’t their life choices get impacted by their surroundings? We are kidding ourselves if we say they don’t.

That’s the point – that our society is unfair and the structure and character of our suburbs reflect that. That we live in a country where your postcode will have a big impact on your life situation and outcomes.

Of course, there are remarkable individuals who will break the mould and break out of their situation, but I think that those individuals are the exception that proves the rule.

I think we need to do better and help those in need and flatten out the inequality in our society that just keeps getting worse and worse.

How did your time as a criminal lawyer in Broken Hill influence your writing?

Oh yeah, my time in Broken Heel was formative. I got to experience the outback way of talking, driving, and living. The wedge-tailed eagles are taking off by the side of the road, their roadkill meal interrupted. The endless sky, the wonderful light, the red earth, and the salt bush scrub.

I sat in the homes of indigenous people, listened to their experiences, and helped them where I could. I walked with them across their towns. I spoke for them in court. I saw their lives as they were without judgment. Some of them are on a cycle, in and out of jail. The over-representation of indigenous people in our criminal justice system, in my face.

Growing up in Sydney, I never knew about these communities, this way of living. It was different, stark, and rough and ready.

Which track on the mixtape feels most personal to you and why?

“You’re gonna get sent” feels most personal. It was one of the most dramatic days in my legal career. The court was buzzing. A tough magistrate had come to town. A client approached me brandishing a freshly obtained medical certificate from the flying doctors, performatively clutching his guts and groaning, “I need an adjournment.” Kids were climbing the walls and looking into the windows at the court.

People were jeering in jest, “aaahhhh, ya gunna get sent!” The atmosphere was alive, tense, and electric.

This song is a collection of my experiences. Children in handcuffs. Hard-hitting. No holds barred. Ten black men in a small holding cell, clamouring to speak to me and be free. We need to be vivid in our use of imagery so that people understand the significance of the reality of some indigenous lives.

How do you balance humor and heart in your performances?

As I write, I can see double entendre coming a mile away! Sometimes I need to let it sail by to keep the mood of the song serious. Otherwise, I can’t help myself. Xanthan Gum is the silliest song on the Mixtape! Oh, Xanthan Gum it’s true, I’m so stuck on you.

What was it like recording the EP at Quarterpipe Studios in Gymea Bay?

Recording “learn to love again” allowed me to access a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners approach to my recording. With my best friend Adriana present on the cello and me blowing up a storm on sax, I was able to dig deep, free from expectations around having to sing in the female range and pull out a performance for the ages. I was able to channel my inner Tex Perkins, probably from watching the video to “a man in conflict with nature” too many times! It was great!

Derek, who is the Sultan of Quarterpipe studios is the original daggy dad from the shire. His dog Muffin, often comes into court to say hello and have a pat and a cuddle. Derek has everything on hand: drums, guitars, and an extremely tall can of Monster Energy Drink. Recording at Quarterpipe is fun and enduring. I can experiment and turn my artistic ideas into a reality.

Derek has even allowed me to record a video on his street. His exact words to me were “I’m not the sultan of the street.” Derek’s good to work with. He will do all that can be done to turn the music dreams into reality. I commend him and his services to the interwebs!

How has your identity as a trans woman shaped your approach to music and storytelling?

Yeah, my identity as a trans woman is front and centre in my music. I’ve followed a path whereby I came to terms with my identity and realised that I needed to make a big change in my life. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew that it was the way forward, shining with joy and light. How else are we supposed to live if not authentically?

It’s also allowed me to connect with many trans women, girls just like me, which is wonderful and joyfully affirming. It’s the best bet yet!

Which audience reaction has stayed with you the most from your live shows?

When I started playing my song “Arse” I noticed how people would stop talking and tune in. After that gig, one of my music teachers began to approach me differently. He said to me, “I heard that you held them in the palm of your hand.” That ability to perform and hold the room is dear to me and meaningful.

It happened when I played the song “Railway Tracks” for the first time. People tuned in. Normally, I’m all about the laughs, but when I played that song at Darling Nikki’,s it felt meaningful and as though I was connecting with the audience. That was great for me and gave me a sense that people were really enjoying the song.

How do you decide when to tackle serious topics versus creating upbeat tracks?

I want to be a fun, humorous entertainer, but I also want to provoke thought. I want people to think. I’m a non-conformist. I saw a live performer once and he gave out his PIN to the audience. I love that. I hate the culture of fear in our society. We need to take risks, live bravely, and love fearlessly.

What do you hope listeners take away from The Cassy Judy Mixtape?

I want people to think about lives that are outside of their own. I want them to think about social justice, to engage in our political system, and agitate for change and for fairer outcomes. I want them to spend time in the suburbs that they think of as undesirable and unsafe. To explore and see things for themselves and not to accept others’ assessments as given.

How do you see your music evolving in the next few years?

I really want to get to work on the very Aussie, very outgoing Southerly Buster album; it’s going to sound like the local sea shanty choir forgot their instruments and decided to hold their performance in a kitchen. Ladles, pots, pans, water, washboards, laundry tubs! Can’t wait to get started on that one!

Then we’ll see what’s next. I’d love to do a Prince deep cuts project and record some of my favourite, most beloved covers, regardless of whether they were huge hits.