Ryan Cassata, a talented singer-songwriter, actor, performer, published writer, LGBTQ+ activist, and transgender motivational speaker, has impacted the music industry. With over 650 performances nationally and internationally, Ryan has released seven original and critically acclaimed musical albums. Notably, he was the first openly trans performer at the Vans Warped Tour and has graced the stages of prestigious venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Green Show. Ryan's music has solidified his reputation as a true force in the industry. His latest collection with his band, The Top Surgeons, titled "This Machine Kills Transphobia," features punk and hardcore songs that aim to challenge systems of oppression, particularly sexism and transphobia.
Where did your journey in music begin?
I first played guitar when I was about six years old. I would stare at my older brother's guitar, which he had already given up on. It was too big for me to carry - let alone play. I begged my mom for lessons, and after enough persistence, she said okay. Our school's music teacher came to the house with a kids' guitar that someone had handcrafted. It was the perfect size for me. I started lessons immediately. When I was 12, my other guitar teacher asked me, "Is guitar going to be your hobby or your passion?" I didn't know yet. He passed away months later, leaving me devastated before I could even answer his question. I looked up to him, and his influence made me realize that music was my passion. I would work as hard to get good at guitar, singing, and piano. So I could live out this dream. It was his dream, too.
Did you have in your head when you started what sound your music was going to offer?
When I first started writing songs, I only listened to classic rock and the origins of punk. I hated pop music - with a passion. I thought my music would fit into a classic rock-sounding genre. I had no clue that I would fall in love with so many different genres and that they would blend into my songs.
I’m excited about this record. Growing up on Long Island (one of the hardcore punk/emo/pop punk capitals in the U.S.), I wanted to play in a hardcore punk band so badly. In the summers, we would form teenage garage bands in Queens and mosh with each other. I got knocked out a couple of times in mosh pits growing up. I don’t regret any of it. The music was already the center of everything for all of us. We played all day long into the early hours of the morning. It was a time in my life that I’ll always smile about. I feel like I’m getting to live that teenage fantasy again, except more professionally and with an audience. It feels full circle in a lot of ways. Anyway, I dreamed about making this record for a long time, and I’m glad I finally did it.
Transitioning is different for everyone. How did the music evolve in the process?
I started writing songs when I was 12. That was when I first came out as queer. Shortly after that, I came out as genderqueer. Then, at 14, I came out as trans. So, I have been writing songs just as long as I have been out. My songwriting had fewer queer themes back then. I would mostly write love songs and anti-war songs. Sometimes, I would write about being trans. It's like that now, too. I write about being trans and queer a lot, but I write about other topics way more. If I wasn't trans, I maybe would have just written anti-war songs for the rest of my career. Who knows! The music evolved as I got older, listened to more genres, and practiced more. Hah. I couldn't sing at the beginning of my career, but eventually, I found my voice. Practice, age, and time - all those things evolved my career. Being trans affected it because of the political climate and my experience with my body and in my body, but I wouldn't say it's the main reason for how my music evolved.
Tell us about your new album, "This Machine Kills Transphobia," and how The Top Surgeons elevate the music.
I wrote the entire record in three days. I think I wrote Queers to the Front, Burn the Cis-Tem, T4T, and What's With Straight Dudes Claiming They're Straight? all on the same day. One day I had an idea to make a fast punk album about Queer and Trans themes. Due to the political climate and 15+ years of being out, I had plenty to say. It was fun to make the songs. I created the music first and the lyrics second for all the songs besides "The Truth, The Life, The Way," which came to me all at once.
The mood was set before I knew what each song would be about. I recorded the first things that would come to me without much lyrical editing. I believe tracks 2-4 have the same lyrics I thought of originally - my first thoughts.
The Top Surgeons have been my band for a long time now. We recently came up with the name for this record and live shows. Loren Barnes is on bass. Kyle Dombroski is on drums, and Stephen Spies (Emmy Winning Composer) on violin, guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals. The band has become a second family to me. We've been playing together now since 2018, and things flow. It feels good. I enjoy rehearsals almost as much as I enjoy live shows.
Loren and I wrote "Saturn is Returning" together, and that was a joy to co-write. Loren brings another side to my songwriting that would not normally come out. She pushes my creativity in a very positive way. We wrote one more upcoming song together, and I'm sure we will do more co-writes.
What is the goal during this Pride and election season with your music?
My goal is to bring trans people into the center of the conversation. Trans voices need to be heard. Pride is often centered around cis gay white males. It can't be like that anymore. Trans people's rights and freedoms are being challenged in major ways and taken away in many states. This conversation needs to be heard, and the lives of trans people need to be highly considered when voting. This record is meant to challenge cis-terms of oppression and provide Queer people with a sense of empowerment. I hope it encourages people to challenge all systems of oppression, not just nationally but worldwide. I also hope that it helps other trans and queer people to feel not as alone in their journey and experience.
This Machine Kills Transphobia is out on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Ryan Cassata & The Top Surgeons, visit ryancassata.com.- Teresa Robinson
