Return to Form: Cassolette reunites for first show in three years

Three years ago, Ciera and Jesse Coleman took the stage at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, N.Y. Their band, Cassolette, performed in front of a sold-out crowd at the NYC Popfest, wrapping up its 10-city tour — and one of the most adventurous experiences of their lives.

Granted, most tours are adventurous and exhausting. But as its name, “The Baby on Board Tour,” suggests, this wasn’t the typical tour.

Starting in Sarasota, Cassolette spent several weeks traveling the East Coast, packed into in an RV with its gear, all the members of the band — and Ciera and Jesse’s 1-year-old son, Calvin.

“The show at the Knitting Factory was amazing,” says Ciera. “By the end of the tour, at that show, I really felt like we found our dynamic as a band. But I’ve also never been so glad to be back home and in my own bed.”

It was the last show they’ve played together. Following the tour, Ciera and Jesse had another child — daughter, Juniper — and parental duties took precedence over performing. Ending on a high note, the band took an unofficial hiatus. The plan was always to bring the band back — when the time was right.

This Friday, June 24, Cassolette members will reunite at Perq Coffee Bar’s Summer Social to play  their first live show in three years. With a few lineup changes and a handful of new songs to debut, the band is back and ready to take the stage again in Sarasota, where it formed in 2009.

“After a while, we really started to miss it,” says Ciera. “I’m excited to be playing again. I feel energized.”

Featuring Jesse on guitar and vocals, Ciera singing and playing keyboards, Darren Ankersmit on guitar and vocals, John Ewing on bass and Todd Weissfeld on drums, Cassolette plays jangly, guitar-driven twee pop with a penchant for all things cute — and catchy.

With a few additional years of life experience under their belt, band members say their sound has matured and grown more cohesive, but fans of their reverb-soaked upbeat love tunes won’t be disappointed.

The band hopes to play more shows in the future, but most of its focus will be on writing and recording in its home studio, adding to its existing catalogue of 7-inch records and EPs. 

“I’m reinvigorated, and I’m excited to be back on stage in front of a crowd,” says Jesse. “But more than that, I just like playing together with these guys. There’s nothing better than getting together with a group of likeminded musicians and creating music you love.”