Cassandra & Jason interview

According to keyboardist/vocalist Cassandra O'Neill, having fun isn't just a bonus of her current gig with multi-platinum pop diva Pink. It's a job requirement.

"Pink always says 'Let's have fun,' before a gig, because she knows that if we have fun, it's going to be a good show."

Co-keyboardist Jason Chapman nods in agreement. "It's always very fun, very easygoing, and the band is great."

Chapman, who has played with Pink since the singer first assembled a live band several years ago, and O'Neill, who signed on last spring after serving as music director for Avant, share a surprisingly similar background: both played with R&B act 980 and both began their music careers in gospel music.

"I've done a lot of stuff with my church, the West Angeles Church of God and Christ in Los Angeles," says Cassandra. "Singing was my first love, so I started out singing in the choir when my dad was pastoring and my mom was the keyboard player. My mom actually sang background with Aretha Franklin during her gospel days. As I got older, I gradually decided that I wanted to make a living in music." Similar story, different coast for Jason, who started out playing organ and electric piano in his Waterbury, Connecticut, church.

"It's a coincidence that we're both from a church background," says Jason. "But Pink is a very soulful musician herself, and I think that's why she chose Cassandra and me. Pink immediately noticed the soulful feel to Cassandra's playing and singing. I'm not really a singer myself. Pink sort of pushed me into it."

"Jason is a good singer," interrupts Cassandra.

"No, I'm not," he states.

Cassandra is having none of that. "He is so bomb, and he doesn't even realize it! He is the killin'-est."

Jason laughs. "I pay her to say that."

Fortunately, the pair's rapport is more than merely verbal. Cassandra says they settled on their division of keyboard labors in a relaxed, natural fashion: "It's not really a matter of main parts or secondary parts. It's more a matter of whoever gravitates toward a certain part." Adds Jason, "The music is self-explanatory. We basically play what's on the record, though we add our own little flavor to it, and add things like segues. I was in the band first, so it panned out that I got a few more parts. But Cassandra's playing her parts well, and everything's working out great."

Both Jason and Cassandra swear by their Motif7 keyboards. "The organ sounds are what first drew me to the Motif," says Jason. "I work with a producer named Troy Oliver, who writes for Jennifer Lopez and a lot of other projects. He brought one to our church and said, 'J. you've got to check this out.' I compared it side-by-side to the Hammond organ, and I was amazed. I knew then that the Motif was a great keyboard. I'm in love with it."

Which sound gets used most with Pink? "Since it's rock, I use a distorted rock organ sound a lot," says Jason. "I also like the 'Soft Piano' patch a lot. It's a great mellow, jazzy sound, and I've noticed this weird thing about it: even though the Motif7 doesn't have a weighted keyboard, that sound makes me feel like I'm playing one."

"I tend to use a lot of Rhodes sound," says Cassandra, "especially when Jason is doing organs. Those sounds are perfect for the rock element to Pink's music. I also use the very first acoustic piano patch, 'Acc. Piano,' and some strings. Oh my god, those strings sound fat and rich. You get a sense of the bowing action and everything."

The two have also been exploring the Motif's sequencer features. "I was amazed by how easy it was!" recalls Jason. "I didn't even have to read the manual. I just pressed 'Record,' and that was that."

Jason also serves as Pink's music director. "Some music directors have to deal with a lot of problems," says Jason. "But I'm blessed in the sense that the most challenging thing I ever have to deal with is coming up with a segue or something. Everyone pitches in to solve our common problems. Everyone contributes ideas. Some music directors always have to do everything their way, but I like it when the band members make suggestions."

"It really is like a band," adds Cassandra. "We vibe together, dance together, and the audience loves it. You know, I've been with some technically great musicians who can play like Mozart, but they have no feeling. They might sound great and provide a good cushion for whichever artist they're supporting, but they never vibe with the other musicians onstage. But when I'm onstage, I'm making faces, blowing kisses to Jason, having a good time. Remember, Pink's attitude is, have fun. And when we have fun, the music just falls into place."