At the age of 22, Caroline Romano stands as a rising star in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark with her enchanting melodies and insightful lyrics. Romano's music is a dynamic blend of wit, introspection, and hope, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of modern life, romanticism, and the rollercoaster of emotions that define young adulthood. Her ability to capture the highs and lows of this transformative period in her songs has resonated with listeners around the globe, creating a genuine connection that transcends generational boundaries.
The release of "girl in a china shop" comes on the heels of Caroline Romano's 2023 EP, A Brief Epic, a project that marked a significant evolution in her musical style. As Caroline Romano continues to carve her path in the music industry, "girl in a china shop" serves as a captivating chapter in her evolving narrative. In an interview with Intersect, Romano is poised to captivate audiences and leave an enduring impact on the contemporary music landscape.
Can you share more about the inspiration behind your new single, "girl in a china shop"? What led you to explore the theme of feeling like you break everything you touch? When I sat down to write “girl in a china shop," I had just had my 22nd birthday, and I felt like I was making more mistakes with every day I got older. The past couple of years have somewhat felt like a regression in innocence and maturity for me, and it all just sort of came to a head on my birthday this year. I was pretty emotional about it all, and the line “girl in a china shop” came to me in the wake of it all.
How did you approach the creative process to achieve the delicate balance in "girl in a china shop" with its explosive chorus and reflective verses? I knew I wanted the song to feel as volatile as I do at this stage in life, so the entire writing process was trying to make that juxtaposition as extreme as possible. I wanted there to be no middle ground, and I think the composed verses against the combustible chorus really reflects those feelings.
You describe yourself as a "major juxtaposition." How does this self-perception influence your approach to creating music and expressing your emotions through your songs? It’s definitely influenced the way I write in that I try not to put a filter on anything. If it’s extreme or overly dramatic or almost uncomfortable to write about, I know it needs to go in the song, as those are typically emotions in their rawest forms. I find the songs I relate to the most are the ones with more of the extreme cases of spilling one’s guts. I try to do that in everything I write. I want to say what I mean and mean what I say, even if I feel crazy doing it.
In the song, you mention navigating your own and others' emotions. How do you navigate this emotional terrain in your personal life, and how does it translate into your songwriting? I can’t say I’m very good at navigating my own emotional terrain. I mostly sort through it via writing music. Sometimes it helps me sort out my feelings, and other times it’s just a good outlet for expressing my anger, sadness, joy or any other emotions. I also write songs about the people in my life I’m trying to understand, and that definitely helps me see their emotions and perspectives through a different lens.
Your musical style has evolved since your debut album. How would you describe the evolution of your sound, especially with the more mature and intentional alt-leaning direction on A Brief Epic? My sound has definitely aged and grown up and gone through the flurry of extremes with me. My first album, Oddities and Prodigies, was young and wild punk-rock centered, which was very reflective of my life and emotions at nineteen years old. A Brief Epic is a lot calmer, more observational and intentional rather than loud. It’s a heartbreak EP and I think sonically it reflects that through a more organic pop lens. The music I’m making now is somewhat of a mix of the more rock sound with organic pop elements. It’s volatile and temperamental and invigorating and heartbreaking, which is how I feel a lot lately.
How do you ensure your music remains relatable to your audience while evolving as an artist, capturing the highs and lows of young adulthood? I’ve always held the belief that as long as I’m being honest in the songs I write, talking about things that actually happen to me and what I’m experiencing as a person at any stage in my life, I think people will relate. Something that’s brought me a lot of comfort is seeing how many people relate to what I thought was such a hyper-specific element in a song I write or the story surrounding it. It’s the human experience, and I‘ve loved connecting with more people than I ever thought I could through writing about it.
With the growing success and attention, how does it influence your creative process or the themes you explore in your music? As more people have begun listening, it’s definitely pushed me to be more experimental in the music I make. I have this fear of being predictable, and with every song I release I’ve seen that fear grow. It’s good in a sense though, as I think it’s helped make me a better songwriter. At the end of the day however, I know just writing what I’m feeling and capturing emotion is the most important thing, and that’s the song people want to hear at the end of the day. I know it’s what I want to hear and create.
Can you elaborate on the significance of the title A Brief Epic for your 2023 EP? What themes or stories are explored within this collection of songs? I wrote A Brief Epic about a few month relationship I was in in 2022. It was my first real heartbreak, and it felt like the longest yet most impactful time of my life thus far. I’ve always loved Greek mythology and on one of our first dates, the guy the EP is about gave me a book called The Song of Achilles. It sort of set the tone for our own Greek tragedy. I’ve always looked back on it as this beautiful, terrible, short-lived story, like one of the Odyssey’s heroes cut down in their prime.
The discomfort in your own skin is mentioned in your songs. How do you find solace or a sense of identity, personally and musically? Music, in every aspect, is the only place where I ever feel fully like myself. It brings me this release, this freedom from my inhibitions and a confidence I only know on a stage or with a pen in my hand. Music is where I found my voice, both literally and figuratively, and it’s helped me figure out who I really am.
What can your fans anticipate from your future music, and how do you see your artistic journey unfolding in the coming years? I’m writing about life as it happens, and I’m really excited for the music that has come out of it these past few months. I’m working towards another album or EP next year, as well as many more live shows and hopefully a tour in 2024! I’m excited