Caroline Romano, a rising star at the age of 22, has established herself as a notable figure in the music industry with her introspective and relatable songwriting. In this interview, we delve into her background and explore the inspiration behind her latest single, “Girl in a China Shop,” uncovering the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience that defines her evolving musical journey.
Caroline Romano’s journey began with a passion for music that manifested early in her life. As a singer and songwriter, Romano drew inspiration from life experiences that fueled her desire to create music as a form of catharsis. Her influences include artists like Noah Kahan, Taylor Swift, and the 1975, reflecting a diverse range of musical styles that contribute to her unique sound.
Romano’s evolution as an artist is evident in the self-aware and introspective nature of her music. From her early works to the present, she has embraced messiness, wisdom, heartbreak, and openness, allowing her songs to grow alongside her. “Girl in a China Shop” stands out as a testament to her commitment to vulnerability, showcasing a newfound comfort in sharing the extremes of her emotions as she navigates the challenges of adulthood.
The interview provides a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind “Girl in a China Shop.” Romano explains that the song revolves around the paradox of turning twenty-two while feeling more immature and fragile than ever. The title itself, a play on the phrase “bull in a china shop,” highlights Romano’s personal experience as a girl, challenging the stereotype of delicacy and exploring the struggle to handle situations with grace.
The dynamics of “Girl in a China Shop” are explored in the interview, shedding light on Romano’s deliberate approach to creating a song that mirrors the volatility of her own emotions. She alternates between quiet, reflective verses and explosive choruses and bridges, capturing the emotional rollercoaster she often finds herself on.
Romano delves into the themes of self-destruction and juxtaposition present in the song. She candidly shares her struggles with breaking everything she touches, acknowledging the frustration and devastation that arise from even the best intentions. The juxtaposition of vulnerability and strength becomes a recurring theme, with Romano viewing vulnerability as a form of strength in her songwriting.
Romano’s commitment to authenticity is evident as she discusses her songwriting process. She emphasizes the importance of telling it like it is, even if it makes her uncomfortable, and believes that being vulnerable in her music allows listeners to connect with their own messy, relatable emotions. “Girl in a China Shop” serves as a bridge for listeners to feel understood and less alone in their own experiences.
As Romano continues to navigate the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, her fans can anticipate a musical journey that explores a heavier pop-rock direction. With the upcoming release of “Tell Her I Said Hi” and a promise of diverse sounds and concepts in 2024, Romano remains an artist to watch. In conclusion, Caroline Romano’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of honest expression, as reflected in the captivating melodies and poignant lyrics of “Girl in a China Shop.”
Can you share more about the inspiration behind your new single, “girl in a china shop”? What motivated you to create this particular song?
I wrote “girl in a china shop” about turning twenty-two recently, yet feeling more immature and fragile than ever. I’d always thought growing up meant making fewer mistakes, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve felt like I only leave a further wake of destruction with every year that passes. “girl in a china shop” is my confession of these things.
“girl in a china shop” seems to explore a delicate balance between explosive choruses and reflective verses. How did you approach the process of creating such a dynamic and emotionally charged song?
I knew it was important for the song to feel as volatile as I do at times, so I took the approach of writing only between the two utmost extremes. It really only alternates between those quiet, almost lullaby verses and me basically screaming in the chorus and bridge.
In the song, you mention feeling like you break everything you touch and describe yourself as a juxtaposition. How does this theme resonate with your personal experiences, and how did it influence the creation of the song?
I’ve often felt like even my best intentions turn into disasters. I’ve found that I’m great at breaking my own heart, relationships, intentions, and promises. It’s frustrating and devastating, and the worst part is I can only blame myself. “girl in a china shop” is all about those self-destructive moments I’ve experienced in the past few years.
At just 22 years old, you’ve already established yourself as a notable figure in the music industry. How do you feel your music has evolved since your earlier works, and what aspects of your growth as an artist do you think are reflected in “girl in a china shop”?
My music has always been very self-aware and introspective, whether that’s in a positive or negative light. I think my songs have grown up with me over the past few years. In that way I’d say they’ve gotten messier, wiser, heartbroken, and more open with me too. I think that’s especially reflected in “girl in a china shop.” I never want to pretend to be something I’m not, and I think “girl in a china shop” is an extreme case of vulnerability I’ve come to grow quite fond of over the past few years of getting older.
You’ve been praised for capturing the highs and lows of young adulthood in your music. How do you translate your messy, relatable emotions into the anthems that resonate with your audience?
I always try to tell it like it is, even if it’s difficult and somewhat exposing at times. If it makes me a little uncomfortable to write about, that’s how I know I’m being vulnerable, and those are the lyrics I want to be writing. I’ve always related most to the songs that wear their heart out on their sleeve in an almost shocking way. I think as long as I’m telling it like it is, no matter how hard it may be at times, people will relate. I believe we’re all a lot more alike than we may realize, and it’s been really cool to see people relate to songs of mine I never imagined anyone but myself would relate to . It’s been very eye opening.
Could you elaborate on the significance of the title “girl in a china shop” and how it encapsulates the chaotic feeling of navigating emotions, both your own and others’?
I thought of the line “girl in a china shop” while I was driving to a session one day. It’s just a play on the phrase “bull in a china shop”, but I thought it was a cool analogy because girls are often thought of as these delicate creatures. In my personal experience as a girl, I’ve never felt delicate. Oftentimes I feel like this ticking time bomb in situations where I want to handle something with grace. That rarely happens though, as I’ve got a bad habit of letting my emotions turn into a catalyst for destruction.
As a meticulous artist, how do you find the balance between vulnerability and strength in your songwriting, especially in a song like “girl in a china shop” that explores complex emotions?
I try to see vulnerability as a form of strength. I’m not writing super self-confident music at this time of my life because it’s not my default outlook. However, I think there is a form of self assurance in sharing the hardest or worst parts of yourself, and that’s definitely what I try to do.
How do you hope listeners will connect with and interpret the message of “girl in a china shop”? Are there specific emotions or experiences you aim to evoke in your audience?
I really just hope anyone who listens to “girl in a china shop” walks away from it feeling understood and less alone in any of their own destructive habits. I find so much comfort in feeling like I’m not the only one experiencing a particular situation or emotion, and I hope “girl in a china shop” does the same for others. It’s the idea of realizing that we’re all messed up and actively messing up, but as long as we’re trying to be better it’s okay. We’re all in the same boat.
In your creative process, do you find yourself drawing inspiration from any specific artists, genres, or life experiences that have had a profound impact on your music?
I definitely draw most of my inspiration from life experiences that I want to write about as a form of catharsis. I’m a big fan of artists like Noah Kahan, Taylor Swift, and the 1975’s writing style, both lyrically and sonically, so I’m constantly inspired by them and so many other artists as well. Life begs to be written about, so I’m never afraid of running out of new inspiration in any form.
With the release of “girl in a china shop,” what can your fans expect in terms of the overall direction of your music and any upcoming projects or collaborations on the horizon?
My next few releases are definitely heading/continuing in the heavier pop-rock direction. I’m releasing a song on December 8th called “Tell Her I Said Hi” which is also pretty volatile and juxtaposing sonically. However, there’s a lot of new music I’m planning to release beginning in 2024 that spans a wide range of sounds and concepts, so I’m super excited.
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The Hollywood Six 