“You’re Meant To Do More. You’re Meant To Take A Risk’ Casey McQuillen On The Pivotal Moment That Inspired ‘Better Than This’
04/07/25
London-based singer Casey McQuillen recently unveiled her new single “Better Than This” - a confident and heartfelt declaration of how dramatically life can transform when you let go of certainty and take a bold leap toward your wildest dreams.
We spoke with Casey about the passion that fueled the song, her whirlwind year on tour, the formative experiences that helped shape her, and what it truly means to embrace self-love and step into the unknown…
You mentioned ‘Better Than This’ was inspired by your decision to move to London and pursue your dream. Can you take us back to that moment - what was going through your mind when you made that leap?
Thank you so much! Honestly, that moment was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I’d spent years building my life and career in the U.S., but there was this voice inside me that kept saying, “You’re meant to do more. You’re meant to take a risk.” I knew that if I didn’t follow that pull—if I didn’t give myself permission to chase the dream fully—I’d always wonder what could’ve been. So when the opportunity came to move to London, I said yes, even though I was scared. That leap was really me saying to myself, “You deserve a shot at your best life, not just a safe one.” ‘Better Than This’ was born out of that mindset.
The song is a bold fusion of powerful vocals, driving guitars, and emotional storytelling. How did you approach the writing and production process to capture that sense of raw ambition and hope?
I wanted the track to feel like motion—like the sound of running toward something that finally feels right. When I was writing it, I kept thinking about those moments in life where your fear is matched by this deep inner knowing that you have to go for it. I brought that energy into the lyrics and melody first, then worked closely with my producer to make sure the production mirrored that drive. We leaned into live instruments, gritty guitars, and layered vocals because I wanted the song to have texture and momentum. It’s not just about dreaming—it’s about doing, and I wanted every part of the song to reflect that.
Following ‘Better’, a song rooted in self-love, ‘Better Than This’ feels like a bold step forward. How do you feel your songwriting has evolved between the two tracks?
That’s such a great question. I think ‘Better’ was about finding confidence and peace with who I am in the present—being able to say, “I like myself, right now, as I am,” which is such a powerful thing. It’s rooted in self-love and acceptance, and learning how to stand strong in that. ‘Better Than This’ feels like the next chapter—still grounded in self-worth, but with an eye on the future. It’s about ambition, about pushing for something more, and refusing to settle. My songwriting has evolved in the sense that I’m writing from a place of belief—not just in who I am, but in who I’m becoming. There’s more fire now. I’m still vulnerable, but I’m also bold. And I think that mix makes the message even stronger.
You’ve just finished a massive arena tour with Anastacia, and before that with Eurovision winner Loreen, two powerhouse artists. What have you learned from sharing the stage with such iconic performers?
It’s been an absolute masterclass, honestly. Watching both Anastacia and Loreen up close—how they command a stage, connect with their fans, and protect their artistry—was beyond inspiring. What struck me most was how much intention they bring to everything they do. Every moment, every note, every word—it all means something. It reminded me that being a great performer isn’t just about talent, it’s about generosity. You’re giving so much of yourself to the audience every night, and they feel that. I’ve also learned how important it is to stay grounded and kind—both of them were so welcoming and down-to-earth. That kind of grace goes a long way.
The music video for ‘Better Than This’ gives a behind-the-scenes look at life on tour. What made you want to tell the story that way, and how did the concept come together?
I wanted the video to feel as real as the song. ‘Better Than This’ is about chasing something bigger, and for me, touring is such a tangible expression of that. It’s the dream I’ve been working toward—city after city, night after night. The behind-the-scenes footage felt like the most honest way to show what that journey really looks like: the highs, the exhaustion, the joy, the nerves, and the amazing connection with the fans. I didn’t want to stage anything. I wanted people to feel like they were right there with us, living it. So we just kept the cameras rolling—on the bus, during soundcheck, in dressing rooms. It’s messy and beautiful, and that felt right.
You’ve been a longtime advocate for anti-bullying, performing your ‘You Matter’ school tour for over 50,000 students. With Anti-Bullying Day recently taking place, what does that day personally mean to you?
Anti-Bullying Day is always emotional for me because it brings me back to why I started writing music in the first place—to feel seen, and to help other people feel seen too. During the You Matter tour, I’ve heard so many stories from students about how hard it is to just exist as themselves in the world, especially online. That breaks my heart, but it also motivates me. To me, Anti-Bullying Day is a reminder that kindness is a choice—and it’s a powerful one. It’s about showing up for each other, especially when it’s hard. I want my music, and my voice, to always be a safe space. If a student hears a song of mine and feels like they’re not alone—that’s the win.
How has your own experience shaped your commitment to spreading messages of mental health, body positivity, and self-worth?
I’ve lived those battles. I’ve been the kid who felt like she wasn’t enough, who compared herself to everyone else, who thought her worth depended on how she looked or what she achieved. And honestly, I still have days where those feelings creep in. But music has always been the way I process and push through that. Writing songs that speak to self-worth, mental health, and body image isn’t just a message for others—it’s something I need to hear too. I think that’s why it connects. I’m not writing as someone who’s figured it all out. I’m writing as someone who’s in it with you, trying to be kinder to herself, one lyric at a time. If I can help someone feel even a little less alone in their own head, that means everything to me.
What’s one lyric from ‘Better Than This’ that hits you hardest every time you sing it – and why?
“Stay / Go / Wait / I’m standing on the edge of a cliff.” That part of the chorus gets me every time because it perfectly captures that moment of decision—the tension between comfort and courage. I wrote it while I was literally making one of the biggest decisions of my life: leaving home, my support system, everything familiar, to chase something uncertain but deeply important to me. It’s about that split second where you’re not sure if you’re going to leap or stay frozen. Singing it brings me right back to that feeling—scared but hopeful, totally exposed but also alive. And then when it lands on “It’s gotta be better than this,” it’s like a release. Not because I was running from something awful, but because I believed there had to be more.
That lyric is the heartbeat of the whole song—it’s the reason I wrote it.
Catch Casey On Her Autumn Headline Tour. Tickets HERE