Gloriously Glamorous: Caleb De Casper

From horror cabaret and glam rock to dark synth pop, Caleb De Casper always brings a stunning, in-your-face theatricality to his music and live shows.

Originally from North Carolina, the classically trained pianist and vocalist says he did not find a safe space to flourish as a queer artist until moving to Austin, Texas, and he immediately went to work proving everyone who said he could not succeed wrong. Confidently showing that masculinity comes in many different forms, De Casper can be seen performing in evening gowns, bondage wear, fishnet stockings, and Victorian collars.

Last month, the artist released his debut LP, Femme Boy, which is an eclectic journey. Often dark and brooding, but contrasted by high energy, standout tracks include “Too Many Boys,” an explosive and passionate narrative of what it’s to be a gay man in 2021, and “Dreamer,” a delicate and graceful track that will surely tug at the heartstrings. The album’s roots lie not just on the dance floor, but also the theater stage and the glam and decay of old Hollywood.

Most recently, De Casper headlined at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) film festival, where he opened for Heartless Bastards at the Do512 Kick Party and played a stunning solo performance on the Flatstock Stage at the Convention Center. The City of Austin also proclaimed April 21 to be Caleb De Casper Day, with the honors being presented by Mayor Steve Adler. The event comes ahead of his May 7 Record Release show for Femme Boy.

OFM caught up with De Casper to talk more about the album and more.

Congrats on the release of your debut LP, Femme Boy! Can you begin by telling us more about the album’s concept and inspiration?

It’s kind of a long narrative, but right before the pandemic, I met with an A&R rep for a major label. It was an informal meeting, but mutual friends set it up, and everyone was talking it up saying, “This guy’s going to help you. This guy’s going to take you places. Go talk to him and see what he has for you.” So, I go talk to him, and he kind of susses me out. He asks to see my social media, and while flipping through my Instagram, he just says, “Gay.” I was like, “Yes, gay.” He says, “Gay doesn’t sell albums.” I think it does, but I kept myself composed in that setting. However, I was kind of furious because this is not the first time that’s happened.

I went home, and I said, “That’s it. Enough is enough. I have the infrastructure in place to do what I want to do, and I’m going to do it.” I sat down at the piano that night, I was still drunk, and I immediately wrote “Do It Baby,” which is about just finally doing it instead of talking and thinking about it because nobody’s going to support you until it’s done and made. They’re not going to get it, so just do it. Then the pandemic happens, and everybody starts to realize that things aren’t right with the world. Queer musicians and musicians of color start to speak up and say, hey, this happens.

I was surprised to learn that it’s happening to my musician friends of color as well. These people think they know what the market wants, but they don’t even know there’s a fanbase out there that needs what you have. They think they know, but they don’t. Then they want to reduce it all down to a formula and make it about money. Music is about love and empathy. You can listen to my music if you’re straight because I can listen to Britney Spears sing about straight things, and I get it. The entire album is authentic, and I didn’t care anymore. Am I being too vulnerable? Am I being too this or that? I don’t care because someone’s going to get it.

In addition to being a singer, you are also a classically trained pianist. Didn’t your piano teacher say something similar about not taking you seriously as a queer artist?

Yes. This has happened to me at least three times. I’m in college taking a piano lesson with my big-time piano teacher; he’s signed to a label, and he asked me why I wanted to do music. I told him because I want to be myself for people. When I was going through things as a teenager, I needed music that spoke to me and told me that I wasn’t a sin. That what I was doing was normal.

Other people go through this, but instead, you have people like George Michael, Elton John, and Freddie Mercury hiding what they’re signing about because that’s what they were told to do. My teacher looked at me, and instead of taking that for what it is, a human connection moment, he tells me, “Nobody wants to hear your gay songwriting point of view. That the world doesn’t have a place for that, so keep it to yourself.” That was a slap in the face, but I continued.

A few years ago, I was in the running to be on a reality TV show at Fox. I’m glad it never happened because I don’t want to do reality TV, but at the end of the day, I went through the hoops, and they deliberated. I get a call from the producer, and they say, “You’re too gay for mainstream TV. Your image will make people in the Midwest uncomfortable.” So, my career has already started out to be this weird social experiment where you can see how fast people find out that they’re wrong about things.

Is that why you like to send a clear message that masculinity comes in many different forms? Kind of a ‘fuck you’ to everyone who said you couldn’t succeed by being you?

I don’t want to reduce it to just a “fuck you” because I’m really not about negative things, but there could be middle finger in there somewhere (laughs). I also don’t want to reduce it down to just selling music from my identity. This is my life and my experiences, and I want to document it. I want to share it with people, and I want them to understand.

When it comes to my music, and I think this can be said for everyone, it’s such a freeing feeling. I can do whatever I want, and I’m a rock star. If I feel more masculine one day, then I’ll dress more masc. If I feel more femme one day, I’ll dress more femme. I want people to see that these traits of gender that we think are on the outside actually have to do with our character on the inside.

Have you always had a passion for singing and performing?

Yes, always.

How would you describe your musical style and aesthetic?

It’s hard for me to describe. It’s very hard for me to talk about my art because I just kind of vomit things.

Then let me ask, how has Femme Boy been received by listeners?

Very well. I recently did SXSW, and it was phenomenal. I was receiving messages from people who just met me from out of town, and they connected with my music on a real level. They were like, “Thank you so much for being you.” I try to keep it 100% real because that’s what people will appreciate. It’s time for people to see themselves and the art that they consume.

Ultimately, what do you hope audiences take away from Femme Boy?

A sense of empowerment and the feeling that they can be authentic to themselves without having to be complex about it. Authenticity, self-expression, and self-empowerment.

Circling back to SXSW, I can only imagine how amazing of an experience it was to perform there. What was it like?

It was wonderful. This is the first year I’ve been signed to a label during SXSW, and it was also the first year that I was official. Aside from the fact that the little wristband got me about 10 feet away from Dolly Parton, I had a fantastic time. My label, Chicken Ranch Records, recognizes my drive, talent, and uniqueness, which I appreciate so much. They booked us a hotel suite downtown, and we lived like stars the whole week.

Was there a standout moment where you felt like this is where you officially belong?

Yes, when I had to call security to get the girls who wouldn’t stop touching me off stage (laughs). That was a whole thing. We had around 2,000 people in the crowd, and these girls rushed the stage and tried to make it all about them. They were touching me and licking me—They had to go. At the end of the day, it was glamorous.

What are some future goals you hope to achieve as a musical artist?

There’s a lot because I really do want it all. I’m just that kind of person. I want to go all the way with everything. I would at least like to be nominated for a Grammy at some point and go on tour. I’ve been on tours before, but like a real tour.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

I haven’t been given the green light yet, but I’m going to tell you. I’m currently working on an acoustic piano album of Judas Priest covers, which will come out sometime during the summer.

Stay up-to-date and connect with De Casper by following him on Twitter and Instagram @calebdecasper, or visit his official website, calebdecasper.com. Femme Boy is available on Spotify, Bandcamp and all other digital streaming platforms.

Photos courtesy of Randy Culp, Good Lucifer, Rico Olgiun, Ashley Bradley, and Keith Womak