As an in-demand bassist, Los Angeles native Casey Lipka has traversed a wide variety of sonic worlds.

Currently based in Sacramento as a member of the highly acclaimed Dear Darling, Lipka’s travels over the years have established herself as a musical chameleon. In the years since earning her master’s in Music Education from Bard College, she’s toured as a bassist with rock band CAKE, composed music for ballet and museum installations and fronted an 18-piece orchestra celebrating the music of Motown legends Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

March 2022 featured Lipka and Dear Darling as opening acts selected for the 14th annual Cayamo Sixth Man Soundcheck Festival, a 7-day Caribbean cruise featuring Americana artists Emmylou Harris, the Indigo Girls, Punch Brothers and Grace Potter. Fast forward to current day where the thirty-something Lipka’s musical universe continues to expand with Dear Darling, while developing an emerging body of solo work under her own name. Like her fellow Darlings’, Lipka’s distinctly feminine voice signals the growing resurgence of women’s roles in the thriving Americana movement.

An amalgam of pop, folk, and jazz wrapped in a neo-classical vibe, her ethereal sound exudes both vulnerability and strength. A gifted storyteller, original compositions such as “Home” tell the tale of searching to find a place in the world, both literally and figuratively, of longing for resolution, of hope conquering despair. It’s a recurring theme that weaves throughout her solo work.

“It’s about reaching people and bringing them together to create a meaningful experience”, Lipka says, “in hopes of sparking a conversation of some sort, whether it’s through concerts or my recordings. “With each day, I can see a new light”, she sings in her country-tinged paean to hope in “Lazy”. “Marigold” continues the search for redemption and the importance of personal growth.

Ask her about her musical influences and you’ll find artists that span wide-ranging musical spectrums, with nods to Indie rocker Kimbra, Fiona Apple, Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell, Stevie Wonder, and fellow singing bassist Esperanza Spalding.

Casey Lipka’s heartfelt compositions and mellifluous voice may cause and occasional skipped heartbeat, but as the singer/songwriter might say, that’s all part of the long journey home.