Caroline Romano is an emerging alternative pop phenomenon, hailing from the heart of Nashville, who epitomizes the vibrant spirit of the genre with her distinctive flair.
In her latest release, “Used by You,” Caroline Romano reveals a new dimension of her artistry, blending pop sensibilities with dynamic alt-rock instrumentation. She paints a vivid portrait of unrequited love, weaving melodic guitars and anthemic percussion into a relatable anthem of longing and heartache. The result is a sound that’s both bold and refreshingly candid, signalling yet another exhilarating chapter in her musical evolution.
The 22-year-old dynamo is making waves in the music industry with her captivating blend of misty-eyed ballads and fiery alt-rock anthems. Seamlessly intertwining wit, introspection, and optimism, her musical style offers a refreshing take on the complexities of modern life, romance, grief, and the tumultuous journey of young adulthood. What sets her apart is her penchant for storytelling, crafting intricate narratives that linger in the mind long after the final chord fades away.
In this exclusive interview, we delved into the mind of Caroline Romano to uncover the inspirations behind her music, the stories behind the songs, and the journey that has led her to the precipice of stardom. Caroline graciously shares the raw emotions and personal experiences that fuel her songwriting, giving fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her processes and mutual admiration for Taylor Swift.
What emotions inspired “Used by You,” and what personal experiences drove you to create such a raw and honest song?
“Used by You” is definitely one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve released so far. It’s about a relationship I experienced in the past year in which I found myself much more willing to do for them than they were for me. I think it’s sadly a very common experience, especially in young relationships. It’s a blurry line between unrequited and just required enough to give yourself to someone who isn’t willing to give anything back.
Well put! How would you advise listeners experiencing a similar feeling of an almost unrequited love? And how do you envision your music helping them through these struggles?
I find it always helps to see things from an outside lens to truly get perspective on them. It’s like being able to tell a friend the truth about a bad relationship they may be in, but not being able to see the same for yourself. A big goal in releasing songs like “Used by You” is to try and offer that lens. For anyone who relates to the scenario of “Used by You,” I just hope the song offers that thought of, “she really shouldn’t put up with this,” and then be able to apply that thought to whatever scenario they might be facing. Sometimes, it just takes someone else to say it for you to see or accept things. My advice would just be to not settle for anyone who doesn’t make you feel 100% yourself because the person who does is out there.
How did you strike a balance between the explosive choruses and softer verses in the production? Were you heavily involved in shaping this dynamic contrast? And did any specific songs or artists influence the sonic palette of this track?
I was inspired by artists like Evanescence, Flyleaf, and Julia Wolf when making “Used by You”. That sound just felt the right level of intensity and drama to tell a story like this. It’s still a pretty lyrical, poetic song, which I love, and that’s why I tend to go for the softer verses that lend themselves to a lot of words. It’s an angsty subject though, and I knew I wanted a chorus to match those emotions.
Is it daunting to share such personal experiences with your audience? How do you strike a balance between creating universally relatable songs and staying true to your unique voice?
I [really] just write about life as I experience it, and with that, certain aspects and themes take precedence at certain times. Songwriting is just a diary of my life that I choose to share. It can feel intimidating at times, but at the end of the day, I know my favourite music comes from artists who are brutally raw and real in their songs. I find if I’m just being honest, in whatever I write, there will be people out there who understand and relate to it. I find it crazy and cool how that works, how we’re all so connected sometimes without even knowing it.
Can you describe your songwriting process? From inspiration to completion, do you usually begin with a melody, lyrics, or chorus?
I’m almost always a lyric/concept person first. It differs every time, which is what I love about songwriting, but naturally, lyrics come first for me. If I’m in a session working with other writers and producers, I’ll ask to sort of build a track around the subject of what I want to write about. If I’m by myself, I’ll typically just start with a piano or guitar chord to follow whatever I’m writing. I’m a big fan of leading verse first and just writing the song in order from start to finish. However, I also find it fun to write in different ways when I’m working with different songwriters. Songwriting never really looks one particular way, and that’s what makes it super fun and exciting!
How has your music progressed since your debut album release? In what ways do your latest single and previous hits such as “Girl in a China Shop” fit into that evolution?
I’d say my music has [definitely] matured with me since my first album. It’s learned about life, made mistakes, and changed alongside me. Right now, both sonically and lyrically, I feel like my music is in an overall heavier place than it was with Oddities and Prodigies. From the things I’m writing about to the instrumentation, it all just feels a bit more intense and darker. However, I know that fluctuates just based on where I’m at in life. The EP I put out last summer, A Brief Epic, was a lot lighter and prettier than anything I’ve released before or since then. I’m excited to see what the next chapter sounds like.
You’ve described yourself as a “loudest sort of introvert”, which is fully relatable, by the way! Can you tell us how you came up with this term and how it reflects the fusion of your professional and personal personas?
Haha, thank you! I thought of describing my personality that way back when I was writing Oddities and Prodigies a few years ago. It’s the only way I knew how to place the extremes of my emotions. I feel like I’m never really down the middle one way. I’m either intensely quiet and shy, or very outgoing and free-spirited (typically onstage). I feel like most of the time Caroline [Romano] is this very reserved person, waiting for a brief moment to be loud. My loudness comes through in the music. Who I am as an artist and who I am just day to day are both the same and very different people all at the same time.
We heard you are also a Swiftie like us. Did you have the chance to attend the Eras tour?
I am a huge Taylor Swift fan. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to go on the Eras tour. I was so sad I missed it! I’ve seen her on tour for Red, 1989, and Reputation though, so I’m very grateful to have seen her as many times as I have.
As a talented songwriter yourself, what aspects of Taylor Swift’s storytelling resonate most with you, and has it influenced your artistic style?
Thank you, I really appreciate that! Taylor Swift definitely plays a huge role in inspiring my approach to songwriting. She was one of the first artists I ever listened to growing up, and I love that I got to grow up with her. She’s so poetic yet relatable in everything she does. It’s all thought out and weaves together to tell one big story. I love how big a picture she paints, down to every little detail. She has painted the world through a lens from which I’ve come to view it myself, and that’s just such a beautiful thing. It’s a goal I have in my own songwriting, to create a world out of it.
What drew you to Nashville, and how has living there influenced your career and sound What do you cherish most about being part of this vibrant musical community?
I was born and raised in Mississippi, so I first chose to start coming to Nashville at age thirteen, mostly because I was able to convince my parents to take me here, haha. I knew it was the songwriting hub, and I knew that that’s where I wanted to be. I fell in love with Nashville on my very first trip here. I played a bunch of open mic nights around the city with my handful of songs, and I knew it was where I would feel most at home. What I love, and have always loved about Nashville, is that the song comes first. Over anything else in the industry, the integrity of the story still takes precedence in Nashville. I think that’s helped shape me into the songwriter I am today, just being surrounded by so many incredible artists and writers, of all genres.
Onto your exciting journey ahead — on a scale from 1 to 100, how would you describe your excitement for your upcoming tour with Smallpools and Grayscale? Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
My excitement level is definitely off the charts! I’ve actually never toured before, so I’m eager to get out on the road for the first time. From one-off shows I’ve done in the past, my pre-show ritual consists of sitting in my car a few minutes before I go on and listening to a song that gets me hyped. It’s usually Twenty One Pilots or Brakence.
How are you planning to maintain your physical and mental well-being during these travels, especially amid meeting the demands of performing live night after night?
It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how I’m able to maintain it. I think exercising, even in the super tight schedule we have, will be critical in keeping me well both physically and mentally. I’m also someone who needs a second of alone time, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. I enjoy just a few moments to close my eyes, write down my thoughts, or listen to a song that puts me in the right headspace. I’m someone who enjoys performing under pressure and a fast-paced lifestyle, so I feel like I might enjoy the run-and-go of it all, but we’ll see!
How do you navigate your newfound fame and the pressures that accompany being a public figure at such a young age?
It’s strange because I feel like fame and the idea of being a public figure have changed so much in the past few years. I feel like everyone’s famous now, with how grand a scale people’s online presence has grown. So, I think there’s a lot less pressure on having a platform, as it’s a much more common occurrence now. It’s still something I take very seriously, and I always want to set my best foot forward and use every opportunity I can for some good. I think a lot of that is just being there for people in any way I can, whether it’s through music or outside of that. I just pray God uses me in whatever ways he’s intended through anything I do.
How do you view the current state of inclusivity and support for women in the music industry?
I believe the industry has become a lot more inclusive and supportive of women in music in the past few years. However, I still feel like there is a higher standard held for women in music than there is for men, in so many aspects. I see the push to change that, and it’s one I work to be a part of as well.
So what’s next on the bucket list of Caroline Romano for 2024?
There’s a lot of new music coming. I want to put out another project, whether that’s an EP or a full album before the year is over. I’m working on what that looks like right now, and I’m very excited to start the next chapter.
Any final message for our readers and your fans before we wrap up?
I just want to say thank you for listening and for being here. It means more to me than I could ever truly express. Thanks for doing life with me.
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