MyMusic Podcast: Casii Stephan – Finding Happiness, Grief and the Freedom to Make Music Your Own What does it really mean to be happy? And can a song sound full of sunshine while hiding some much deeper questions beneath the surface? In this episode of MyMusic, host Graham Coath talks to award-winning American singer-songwriter Casii Stephan about her new single Happy, the stories behind her songs, and an upcoming debut album that explores grief, love and what it means to keep living after losing someone close to you. Born in Minnesota and now based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Casii refuses to be boxed into a single musical genre. Blending pop, soul, rock and folk influences, she puts storytelling and emotional honesty at the heart of her music. With recognition from Billboard, NPR, SPIN and American Songwriter, she's building a reputation as an artist who isn't afraid to ask difficult questions or challenge expectations. Graham and Casii explore the thinking behind Happy, a deceptively upbeat track that asks whether we sometimes get in our own way when it comes to finding happiness. They discuss the fine line between a joyful melody and melancholy lyrics, the creative process, working with producer Chad Copelin, and why collaboration can help songwriters move beyond their usual boundaries. The conversation also takes a more personal turn as Casii talks about Let Her Have Her Flowers, her forthcoming debut album, written in the wake of her father's death. It's a deeply human exploration of grief, love, mortality and learning how to keep living while carrying the people we've lost with us. Along the way, Graham and Casii discuss musical influences, the limitations of genre labels, the realities of social media for musicians, and the importance of staying true to your creative instincts rather than simply following the algorithm. It's an honest, funny and thoughtful conversation about music, life and the questions that don't always have easy answers. In this episode: The story behind Casii Stephan's new single Happy, released on 23 October. Why a song can sound happy even when its lyrics tell a different story. The inspiration behind Let Her Have Her Flowers, due for release on 5 March 2027. Writing about grief, love and the experience of losing a parent. Collaborating with producer Chad Copelin and knowing when to ask for help. Why Casii resists being confined to one musical genre. The influence of artists including Alabama Shakes, Florence + The Machine, Fiona Apple and Carole King. Staying creatively authentic in a world driven by algorithms, likes and streaming numbers. Listen to Casii Stephan's new single, Happy: Find Casii Stephan online and discover more about her music, upcoming releases and live performances. MyMusic is hosted by Graham Coath, bringing you conversations with the artists behind the music, the stories behind the songs, and the ideas that make music matter. Listen, discover and support independent music with MyMusic sponsored by 13th Floor Sound.