Caroline Romano: Crafting Sonic Diaries, Exploring Longing, and Building Her Musical Palace
Image credit: Hayley Mikell
Hi Caroline! Welcome to Pop Palace, we are so happy to have you!!! What have you been up to in recent moments?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me! ️I’ve honestly been writing, for myself and other projects, pretty much all of this year. As the year wraps up, I’m starting to slow down and really listen through all of the music I’ve made in 2024, as well as plan next year’s releases. It’s been really cool to look back on it all as sort of an audible diary.
What inspired you to explore the theme of always wanting more in "Born To Want More," and how did you bring that feeling into the music?
I wrote “Born to Want More” at a time where I was definitely letting those “what if there’s no one out there for me” thoughts win. I think it’s something almost everyone thinks or fears at some point in their lives, and I really just wanted to articulate that feeling as I knew it. I wrote it with my good friend and very talented musician John Townsend, and he was a huge part of bringing the sonic aspects of the song to life. It’s slow and conversational and rage-filled and polite, all at the same time. It’s all exactly how I felt as a 22 year old girl writing it.
Being an artist takes its toll physically and mentally, what are some self-care practices you implement into your routines?
I’m actively trying to get better at practicing self-care in my daily routine. I find that making time to exercise, especially if I'm able to be outside while doing it, always tremendously helps my mood and mindset. Getting good sleep and eating food I know makes me feel my best is also so important to me too. Lately, I’ve also come to practice the art of saying no to things as a form of self-care, which I think is very important in certain stages of our lives.
Image credit: Hayley Mikell
How has your experience with ‘almosts’ and close calls shaped the music you’re creating for How The Good Girls Die?
I feel like I spent much of my teenage and young adult years running full sprint towards things I never made impact with. Whether it was in my career, in relationships, or in my own internal struggles, I felt the downfall of my innocence in a series of near misses. From my observation, I think the good girls die from trying so hard to be the good girl. Thankfully, I think with time and simply maturing, I’ve learned how to balance striving for the things I want in life, with the knowledge that it will never be perfect, and the pursuit of perfection will only leave you longing. This EP is a start to finish story of that journey.
How has your experience as a woman shaped your journey in the music industry? Do you feel it’s influenced your path or perspective?
It's absolutely influenced by path and perspective. I started out in the music industry at a very young age, and I think it definitely taught me the importance of standing up for myself as a woman in this world. I try to be unabashedly honest and unfiltered in my music, and I think that’s partly from my experience of learning that people will try to tell you who you are or what your story needs to be.
Do you have any songs or albums on repeat currently?
Paint My Bedroom Black by Holly Humberstone and The Good Witch by Maisie Peters are two albums I've been listening to on repeat. They are two of my favorite artists and songwriters of all time, and I’m obsessed with those projects.
Finally, here at Pop Palace, we all have our own little 'Royal Court' of artists who inspire us and keep us going. So, if you could build your own musical palace, who would be sitting on your throne, and who would be in your royal court of all-time favorite artists?
Taylor Swift would have to be on my throne. She’s always been such an inspiration to me as both a songwriter and artist. Noah Kahan, Holly Humberstone, Maisie Peters, Lorde, Jon Bellion, and The 1975 would definitely all be in the royal court too.
Image credit: Hayley Mikell
