deCasa - tooLoose (Official Video) + 10 Questions

Bubbling indie singer, songwriter, and musician deCasa drops new single tooLoose. With the new single, deCasa looks to continue the soaring momentum from his latest song “MUSE.” tooLoose is an upbeat alternative rock track that seamlessly fuses an energetic tempo with a smooth groove.

deCasa’s new single tooLoose paints a vivid image of being so drunk in love that you find yourself navigating life in reverse. deCasa explains, “Picture the classic boombox scene – yet Cusack is crawling through his ex’s yard – the same way DiCaprio scrambles to get into his Countach.”

Hailing from Puerto Rico and currently based in Austin, TX, Ricky Santiago-Cruz, aka deCasa, is a Latinx artist. His musical style is a fusion of Latin-infused Alternative with Hip-Hop undertones. Having shared the stage with renowned acts such as Mobley, Dreamgirl, Bright Light Social Hour, and Los Walters, deCasa is poised as a notable artist to keep an eye on in 2024, promising a consistent stream of releases throughout the year.

deCasa sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

My sister’s high school boyfriend brought a crate of CDs to our house when I was a little kid. It was like a treasure chest. Bands on bands on bands. That was definitely a crash course.

But then I also grew up in a very musical family. Music was blaring every weekend and all of my extended relatives played music together at the big family functions. I started sliding in the sessions on the bongos.

I was a short-fused little kid so the drums were a great outlet to let all that energy out.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I would love to work with Jamiroquai & Mark Ronson -– same session. I think we would create a fat list of anthems. I would also love to write some sort of duet-esque record with a female singer. I love Angus & Julia Stone so doing something like that with Dua Lipa or something would be crazy.

I know I’m throwing BIG names out there – but it doesn’t hurt to dream ya’ know.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

As of today 3/22/24 the plan is to just keep dropping a single every month. The next one in line is titled “INSTIGATOR” and it’s the prequel to “MUSE” which dropped in January.

However — I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an EP ready for the Summer. Let’s see if I can commit…

4. How would you describe your sound?

I like thinking about my songs as extended ringtones. Take a blender – throw in these: Jamiroquai, Lewis Del Mar, Interpol, Reggae and Nu-Metal & you get deCasa. Really I just want to make songs that are easy to learn and listen to. Hook/Chorus heavy with vibes that facilitate a good time.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Being able to visit another country to play music. That’s definitely a highlight. It’s definitely tied with brainwashing my little brother enough to get him to play drums – to the point where we now play and write in a band together. It’s awesome. It’s like I planted a mango tree 10 years ago and now I’m making smoothies with the fruit.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Don’t overthink too much. It’s something I deal with every day. I think way too much about what I want to do and where I want to be. It takes up so much time away from what you should actually be focusing on – creating, pitching yourself, networking, etc.

More importantly – the game is to never stop knocking on doors.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

100%.

YATTE (Austin) - listen to “Automatic”.

Nuclear Daisies (Austin) - listen to “Heaven in Your Head” 

Parallax (London) - listen to “For My People”.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

I don’t tend to listen to albums back to back as much, but for some reason Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory has been on repeat. Bob Marley’s Kaya. Fontaines D.C.’s Skinty Fia.

Nuclear Daisies’ self-titled. Love ‘em all the same <3.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I love taking videos of my friends and our hangouts. I’ve been compiling a bunch of footage and I’m not super sure what I’ll end up doing with it just yet – but I hope it serves a purpose. If not, I guess it’ll just be there for my kids.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My white Fender Jazz bass (every song starts with the bass line).

My white Audio technica ATH-M50x (these make me feel in the zone – tapped into the spaceship— especially with the coil aux for some reason).

A little Jamiroquai keychain I have hanging on the wall that motivates me when I look at it.

Thank you!!! This was a good exercise for me. It’s really nice to sit & think about these things – it serves as a little reminder.