What is your names?
Frankie Diez – aka Casual Confrontation
What is your genre of music?
I’d say indie alt pop-rock, for the most part.
Give us a little bio about you.
I’m a songwriter, born in Romania, raised in Puerto Rico and Miami, now living in Nashville, TN, hoping to professionally write for other artists.
What made you go into music?
I started playing piano around 7 years old and by the time I was 10, I’d already started composing classical pieces, and just kinda never stopped since then.
Who are your influences?
My influences will usually fluctuate, but right now Alanis Morissette, Tori Amos, and Kate Bush have been who I’ve gravitated towards recently, particularly while recording this album.
Are you a signed?
Not yet…
You released your new album ‘This Illusion’, tell us more about the album and the meaning behind it.
‘This Illusion’ is an album about the realization of unhappiness and general disillusionment. (Hence the title this illusion / disillusion)
It’s meant to feel a bit like a hangover, sorting out the events of the night before, feeling a bit of shame, regret, and a bit of leftover bliss all at once.
Describe each track in two words.
- Salvia Save Me: Desperate, escapist
- Victim of Vultures: Biting, critical
- Manifesto: Reflective, emotional
- MBiC: Nostalgically bitter
- People Change: The More You Know: Confrontationally real
- Me n God: Analytically blasphemous
- Tearfully Grasping My Fate (Dante, Lead Me): Meditatively concerned
- Alone, All At Once: Depressingly fun
- This is Embarrassing!: Rather not
- Minimalist: Unapologetically honest
- Two Nice Men: Religiously observational
- The Song of Solomon: Kate Bush
- I’m Not Upset (I’m Just Disappointed): Album closer
What was the writing and recording process like?
This was somewhat of a difficult album to make – I was very much interested in bands like Mew, Intervals, Minus the Bear, and overall intricate instrumentation, while also listening to 90s alternative rock that was similar but not quite the same; all while having 0 knowledge in guitar playing and only a midi keyboard accessible.
Blending these genres was a lot of trial and error, finding out what fit my voice, what musical/thematic boundaries I was willing to push, and still write about the real-time life disappointments I was dealing with.
I was used to cranking out an album within a year but I had to slow down to create something I know I’d be proud of – and I very much am!
Who did you work with on the album?
Myself.
What is the album message for your fans?
Disillusionment can be an opportunity for self reflection and re-establishing bonds with ourselves, knowing who we are, what we believe in, and what makes us happy.
I hope this album encourages people to confront their feelings, their obstacles, and know who they are – and if they don’t, it’s never too late to get to know ourselves.
What else can we expect in 2025?
As of now, just working on more music, with potential plans of a single, but definitely more to come next year.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Releasing LP10 and maybe doing so with more money and in a different location.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“Just do it – screw em.” – Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers, who is one of my idols, said this as a piece of advice for anyone starting a business in the face of adversity. In context, she was referring to creating something, whether that be art or a physical product, you yourself believed in.
The concept is that if you believe in something enough, you can be successful in it, and it’s something I try to always live by.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Ask me again after I’ve played one…
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Spotify
