B-Side Guys

Ryan Cassata doesn’t just make music—he creates manifestos. On his two-song release “QUEER american DREAM,” the trans activist-musician offers a potent preview of his forthcoming LP “Greetings from Echo Park” (due June 6th on Kill Rock Stars), establishing both sonic and thematic territory with remarkable efficiency across just seven minutes of running time.

The title track opens with blues-infused swagger, its distorted guitar and stomping percussion creating muscular backdrop for Cassata’s searing examination of what the American dream means for queer and trans individuals. “I’m so sorry have a drink on me,” he sings with knowing irony, acknowledging the sobering reality of existing outside heteronormative society while simultaneously offering communal solidarity.

What distinguishes Cassata’s approach from mere protest music is his nuanced perspective. Having been out as trans for 17 years and bisexual/queer for nearly 20, he’s moved beyond simplistic narratives of acceptance to explore deeper questions of authentic community building. When he references his top surgery by Dr. Brownstein or his early activism beginning at age 13, these aren’t merely biographical details but waypoints on a journey toward what he describes as “the queer american dream”—being in genuine community with others rather than seeking assimilation into oppressive structures.

The track’s production (recorded in Cassata’s garage) demonstrates resourcefulness without sacrificing power. Drummer Kyle delivers a hook-worthy beat that functions almost as additional melodic element, while the overall arrangement balances raw punk energy with blues tradition—a fitting hybrid for lyrics that simultaneously honor history while demanding different future.

Companion track “i feel like throwing up” shifts perspective dramatically, exchanging defiance for vulnerability as Cassata chronicles his experience battling Lyme disease co-infections and autoimmune illness. The production (handled in collaboration with Mark Pelli of MAGIC!) creates stark contrast to the title track, with gentler instrumentation that allows Cassata’s vocals to convey fragility without sacrificing intensity.

What connects these seemingly disparate tracks is their exploration of isolation—whether imposed by society or physical illness—and the determination to transform that isolation into connection. “I wrote this song during a particularly intense period of illness,” Cassata explains, noting that while the lyrics stem from personal experience, they “reflect the broader feeling of being unseen and left out, a feeling that resonates deeply with the experience of being trans in America right now.”

This ability to make the personal political without reducing either to simplistic sloganeering has distinguished Cassata’s career from the beginning. As the first openly-trans performer at Vans Warped Tour and an artist honored by Billboard Magazine as one of the “11 Transgender & Non-Binary Musicians You Need to Know,” he’s navigated the delicate balance between advocacy and artistry with remarkable dexterity.

If these two preview tracks accurately represent what’s coming on the full-length “Greetings from Echo Park,” listeners can expect an album that builds upon Cassata’s existing body of work while pushing into new sonic and thematic territory. The LP promises collaborations with notable musicians including Jason Hiller, David Scott Stone (Melvins, LCD Soundsystem), and Mark Pelli, suggesting a broader palette than previous releases while maintaining Cassata’s distinctive voice.

The album title and artwork deliberately reference Bruce Springsteen’s iconic “Greetings from Asbury Park,” positioning Cassata within American musical tradition while simultaneously subverting it through queer and trans perspective. This tension between honoring musical lineage and creating space for new narratives runs throughout Cassata’s work, creating fruitful creative territory that transcends simple categorization.

For newcomers to Cassata’s music, these two tracks serve as perfect introduction to an artist equally committed to craftsmanship and activism. For longtime fans, they offer tantalizing glimpse of his artistic evolution and what promises to be his most fully realized work to date. Either way, “QUEER american DREAM” succeeds both as standalone release and invitation to the broader statement coming June 6th with “Greetings from Echo Park.”

To experience Ryan Cassata’s music and support his work directly, his releases are available on Bandcamp, where listeners can pre-order “Greetings from Echo Park” ahead of its June release and access his existing catalog of seven original albums.