INTERVIEW: Ryan Cassata Finds Strength in Community
Ryan Cassata transforms vulnerability into strength as he discusses his newest song "i feel like throwing up"
Ryan Cassata has been through a lot to get to his upcoming EP, Greetings from Echo Park (out June 6 on Kill Rock Stars.) Battling an autoimmune illness and Lyme Disease, the title of Cassata's newest single "i feel like throwing up is literal." However, as Cassata shares in our interview, that line inspired an anthemic sing-along to resist transphobia.
The music video is a powerful response to the Trump administration’s attempt to erase trans identities, highlighting the isolation and systemic oppression queer and trans people face. It explores themes of resilience, chronic illness, and the impact of MAGA-fueled bullying—ultimately showing how community provides strength and survival. Featuring trans music legend Shea Diamond as a superhero rescuing a trans kid from bullies, and a trans woman overcoming microaggressions to find joy in a supportive space, the video is a celebration of queer and trans joy in the face of oppression.
In our interview, Cassata shares what it's been like to grow ever more vulnerable with his songs.
The music video features trans youth actors, which adds another layer of emotional depth and political urgency. Why was it important to include trans representation in this particular visual story?
This meant a lot to me because trans youth are so often misrepresented or not represented at all. I wanted them to be able to see themselves in this video. I want them to feel less alone in their experience. I want them to see that other trans youth are out there. I want them to know that we are fighting for their rights. It was really special having trans youth on set, and getting to talk with their supportive parents was a beautiful bonus. A lot of my activism centers on trans youth, so it was important to me to uplift their images and stories in a real way.
The title “i feel like throwing up” is raw and unapologetically direct. Did you ever hesitate to release something that vulnerable—or has vulnerability always been part of your artistic superpower?
When I wrote the song, I wasn’t thinking about anyone else hearing it. It was just for me. I wrote it after a really rough night, when all the illnesses were flaring. I had promised to help two of my friends move, but I literally couldn’t get off the bathroom floor for hours. Once the nausea started to ease up, I wrote the song.
The first version was completely different from what it is now. I re-wrote it the next day, saying everything I was feeling. It’s a vulnerable song because it came from such a raw moment in my life. I’ve felt nervous to share it, unsure if people would understand. But when I think about other chronically ill queer people who are quietly struggling, I realize I have to put this out into the world. It might help someone feel seen in their own journey.
With Greetings from Echo Park set to release in June, how does “i feel like throwing up” serve as a preview of what listeners can expect from the rest of the album?
“i feel like throwing up” feels like a return to my roots. It has those anti-folk undertones that remind me of where I started. The rest of the album taps into that vibe here and there, but overall it plays more like a mixtape. There’s pop punk, emo, stripped back singer songwriter ballads, rock and roll with a bluesy edge, and even hints of hip hop and pop woven throughout. I wanted every track to feel fresh and keep listeners on their toes, and pulling from all these different genres made that possible. It moves seamlessly from one mood to the next, one style to another.
Explain the title of your new album.
The title of my record, Greetings from Echo Park, pays homage to one of my favorite singer songwriters, Bruce Springsteen, and his record Greetings from Asbury Park. I wanted a title that felt unmistakably Los Angeles, paired with album art that captures the city I live in and love. Echo Park is my favorite neighborhood in LA. It’s where I make a lot of music and soak up the weird magic of this city.
Does your album have an overarching theme?
There are a lot of themes running through the album. One of the biggest is the feeling of being othered, whether that’s through queer or trans identity, or through the experience of being chronically ill and fighting sickness. Another major theme is community and connection. I write about my travels and the interesting people I’ve met along the way. I write about queer love and trans joy, and there are plenty of moments of protest woven throughout.
Welcome to Echo Park is out June 6th via Kill Rock Stars
