Singer-songwriters Casey Wickstrom and Taylor Rae are joining forces for the release of their highly-anticipated single “Post,” which dropped on all streaming platforms on March 26. The single has had a long and unique journey to its final stage, creating a sense of emotional investment for both the artists involved and their fans. Originally written by Wickstrom in 2010, “Post” is a musical story about a nuclear holcaust, set to a melodious, indie-folk lullaby. Ten years later, Wickstrom met well-known Santa Cruz singer-songwriter Taylor Rae and immediately knew her voice would be perfect for a new, definitive version of the song.
Wickstrom faced many life changes from the conception to the birth of “Post.” The aftermath of a near death car collision with a drunk driver in 2011 sent him spiraling into four years of drug addiction, PTSD, and suicidal depression. Finally able to get clean in 2015, Wickstrom continued to expand on an accomplished catalogue of music, writing, and videos. In 2020, Wickstrom and Rae raised over $3,500 from fans for the recording and promotional aspects of the release. “Post,” even in its demo form, was a favorite song of Wickstrom’s listeners, who eagerly pitched in to the new project. Taylor’s musical sensibilities and talent—she was Santa Cruz’s Nextie Musician of the Year—along with Wickstrom’s experience and musical vision for the song, created a perfect match for the tune. Together, the two brought “Post” to a new level, with lush three- and four-part harmonies, for a musical arrangement that is as moving as it is beautiful.
Casey Wickstrom is a multi-instrumentalist and live looping artist, vocalist, music producer, writer, and film editor. He sings and plays guitar, lap slide guitar, cigar box guitar, bass, harmonica, and other instruments. Born in Northern California, Wickstrom was raised in the small mountain town of Durango, Colorado, where he was influenced by the sounds of Paul Simon, Ben Harper, as well as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. A full time musician, he’s released five studio albums, and a long list of singles, live recordings, and EPs. His songs have charted on Apple Music Blues charts, and he has been named among the Top 100 Unsigned Artists by Music Connection Magazine. He’s also a published author, writing extensively on his website blog. In his spare time, he teaches guitar, yoga, and mindfulness classes in Silicon Valley, CA.
Taylor Rae is a guitarist/singer/songwriter born and raised in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California. She has consistently been releasing albums and singles since she was a sophomore in high school. Now at 27, Taylor has found a way to modernize her unique 60s & 70’s inspired sound while blending jazz, psychedelic folk and classic blues/rock into a melting pot of organic music she calls "Soul and Roll". In 2017 she was awarded the Santa Cruz NEXTies "Musician of the Year." She is a full-time performer - averaging 200 shows per year. She now resides in Austin, Texas and has immersed herself in the live music scene there. She is currently recording a self-engineered and produced acoustic album that will include thirty original songs.
