Exclusive Interview with Emerging Star, Caroline Romano
We Got To Sit Down With Caroline Romano To Learn About The Story Behind Her Latest Single, 'girl in a china shop'.
Photo Credit: Justin Nolan Key
At just 22, Caroline has captured the essence of young adulthood in her music. 'girl in a china shop' is a metaphor for her own journey – a tale of navigating the fragile corridors of growing up, where every step is a potential for both creation and chaos.
Her song is an anthem for those in the midst of their own tumultuous twenties, echoing the sentiments of confusion, intensity, and the exhilarating uncertainty of this pivotal life stage.
Moving beyond her EP 'A Brief Epic,' Caroline's music has taken on a new intensity, mirroring the depth and volatility of her emotions. It's a sound that resonates with a generation seeking authenticity, a voice that articulates the unspoken trials and tribulations of modern youth.
Caroline offers us a window into her world – where songwriting is not just an artistic endeavour but a means of honest expression and connection. She discusses the balance of staying true to oneself in an industry often overshadowed by the expectation of perfection, and the personal victories in overcoming the fear of judgment.
"girl in a china shop” is such an intriguing title, can you tell us what inspired the song and the story behind it?"
I came up with the idea for “girl in a china shop” a few days after my 22nd birthday. I was in a reflective headspace, as I felt like I was getting older but more immature than ever before. Life just felt messy, and the only common denominator I could find was me. It’s never intentional, but I feel like I break everything I touch. “girl in a china shop” is basically just me writing about standing in the wake of all my destruction. I think there’s really nothing more dangerous than a twenty-something girl.
You've described “girl in a china shop” as an alt-pop anthem. How would you say your sound has evolved since your EP, 'A Brief Epic'? What can fans expect from this new release?"
‘A Brief Epic’ was definitely my experiment with more pop/acoustic based sounds. Overall it’s a bit calmer sonically than the songs I’m writing now. “girl in a china shop” is a first glimpse at that. I’m writing heavier songs in this season of my life right now because my emotions have felt heavier. A Brief Epic’ was sad, and the songs that are coming are just plain volatile.
At just 22 years old, you've already gained significant recognition and millions of streams. What's been the most exciting or surprising part of your musical career so far?
I’d say the most surprising and exciting part of my career has been witnessing people’s reaction to my songs. When I see someone singing the lyrics back to me at a show, or when I receive a message about how my music has impacted someone, it’s shocking and incredible every time. I’m just so grateful that people are listening, and the fact that my music means something to them is more than I could ever ask for.
Your music often explores themes of modernity, romanticism, and the challenges of young adulthood. I personally related to the song very heavily and feel like it took me back to a lot of thoughts and mindset I had during my earlier 20s - how do these themes influence your songwriting, and what message do you hope listeners take away from “girl in a china shop”?
I try to write about my life as it’s happening in a pretty unfiltered way. This stage of my life has been confusing and intense and beautiful and terrifying. I keep thinking I should know what I’m doing by now, but I don’t, and I think that’s pretty much the message of the song. I just hope anyone listening is reminded that I don’t think any of us know what we’re doing or how to do it, and life is messy sometimes. It’s okay to not always be put together, and that’s something I’m trying to remind myself. There’s always room for improvement, but we’re all going to break some dishes along the way.
Photo Credit: Justin Nolan Key
Many Gen Z listeners are looking for artists who are authentic and relatable. How do you stay true to yourself and maintain authenticity in your music and your public image, especially as you navigate the transition towards becoming a more household name?
If writing it down makes me a little uncomfortable, or it brings out some super intense emotion in me that I’m almost nervous to share, that’s how I know I’m being honest and writing something I know is worth saying. I’ve learned that I can’t really focus on how other people might perceive it, I can only hope that people might relate to whatever it is I’m going through. It’s surprising how often they do, and that’s taken away some of the fear of feeling too exposed.
As a young artist, you've likely faced challenges in your career. What's been the most significant obstacle you've overcome, and how did you navigate it?
Honestly, I think one of the biggest obstacles in my career has been my desire to be liked all of the time. I’m my own worst critic, and when I feel like someone’s not 100% into what I’m doing, I can spiral. It’s taken time, but having a fim grasp on my identity and a self assurance in my music and my goals has been the biggest game changer.
What's next for Caroline Romano? I think we’re all excited to hear about what we can expect from you next!
I’m working on a lot of new music for the new year. There will definitely be another cohesive project coming out in 2024. I'm also excited for the show opportunities I’m working towards. I love playing live, and I’d love to tour in some capacity soon. There’s a lot coming that I’m very excited about.