At just 19 years of age, Caroline Romano has already achieved what most would dream of. From supporting artists such as Shawn Mendes and Kelsea Ballerini, to racking up millions of views/streams - the future looks bright for this Nashville based pop artist. Having recently shared a remix with R3HAB, we caught up with Caroline to ask some further questions.

How did your collaboration with R3HAB come about for your single “I Still Remember”?

I wrote “I Still Remember” in 2018 with some friends of mine in Nashville. I felt it was a really special song from the moment it was written, so I held on to it for nearly two years, waiting for the right opportunity/way to release it. I’d always thought a remix or EDM spin on the track would be the missing piece to the puzzle, so I was ecstatic to hear that R3HAB would be remixing “I Still Remember.” I think he took the song to a place wilder and bigger than I ever dreamed it could be, and now I couldn’t imagine “I Still Remember” sounding any other way. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with R3HAB on this project, and I feel incredibly blessed to have one of my songs remixed by him. It’s truly been a dream come true.

What was the inspiration behind writing “I Still Remember”? 

I think there is a sense of passionate youthfulness that can be heard in the song, and the inspiration behind those feelings came from the songwriting process of “I Still Remember,” starting with my friends and I just hanging out. I think writing a song with people you know and trust makes for a much more vulnerable, realistic writing process. We started talking about first loves, and what it means to be in a real relationship for the first time. First things in life bring about feelings, memories, and moments you’ll never forget. In simply hanging out and talking about these things, the concept of “I Still Remember” came about. What I love about the song is its incredibly melancholy happiness. It’s a really fun song, even though the subject matter itself isn’t so fun. I think the fact that we were having such a great time writing and recording “I Still Remember” played into the overall youthful, upbeat sound.

“I Still Remember” is climbing up the airplay charts. What was it like when you first heard yourself on the radio? 

Hearing myself on the radio is a feeling I don’t think I’ll ever get used to. It still doesn’t feel real sometimes. The first time I heard my song on the radio is a moment I know I will never forget. I remember sitting in the car with my parents (we were in my mom’s minivan), waiting and listening for the song. Song after song by artists I know and love came on, and I somewhat forgot that I was waiting to hear my own song. All of a sudden, I heard my voice coming through the speakers. It felt like I was hearing my music for the very first time, and I could only think back to all the times spent in that same minivan as a little girl, dreaming of having a song on the radio. It was an incredibly sweet and fulfilling moment, and I’m really happy I was able to experience it with my parents.

The music video for “I Still Remember” has received over 1 million views on YouTube.  What was the process of filming it like? Any funny stories? 

The process of filming the video for “I Still Remember” was an incredibly interesting experience, and I had so much fun bringing it to life. We had to have a very small, socially distanced crew, so it made for some unique challenges. We all had a great time, though, and there were lots of laughs throughout the day. We were all deliriously sleep-deprived by the end of it all, and the “mannequin” aspect of filming made for some hilarious moments. It was all such a beautifully odd experience, from the concept of dancing around a historical home in an evening gown with a giant male mannequin, to destroying things with a baseball bat. I’m so proud of how the video turned out, and I think the fun quirks of the video perfectly describe the filming process.

Have you been creating new music in quarantine? 

I’ve been creating a lot of new music during quarantine. I feel more proud of the songs I’ve written during this time than I am any other songs in my career. Quarantine brought about lots of thoughts about life, love, and the world in general. I’ve felt incredibly introspective and inspired these last six months, and I am so thankful for songwriting as a way to put all of these emotions and feelings into the only way I know how to express them. I’m really excited about the music that’s come about during this time, and I’m very eager to put it out into the world.

You’ve opened up for amazing artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Daya and Shawn Mendes.  What do you miss most about live performances? 

I think I miss getting to see people connecting to the music in real time. There’s nothing I cherish more than seeing real faces of real people in a crowd, singing along to the words or dancing with their friends. I miss meeting them and talking to them and learning about their lives. It’s in those moments you get to see the real people who are connecting with your songs and supporting you. I can’t wait for the day when we get to do it all again.

You grew up in Mississippi. What ultimately decided your move to Nashville?

I came to Nashville for the first time at age thirteen, when I begged my parents to take me so I could play open mic nights around the city. I absolutely fell in love with Nashville, and it felt like home to me from that very first trip. Since then, I’ve always known it’s where I’m supposed to be. There’s a different air here. I think the difference is here, you have a lot more people doing what they love. Nashville is a place to chase the wildest of dreams, and there’s so much freedom to be creative. Some of the most beautiful things in my life have come out of Nashville. 

What is your experience like living in Nashville but not being part of the country music scene? 

I find that the genres of pop and country music have blended so much it recent years that it really doesn’t make much of a difference living here in Nashville. Everyone kind of works together, and it’s common to find pop songs written by country artists, or country songs produced by pop engineers. There are so many opportunities in both genres and communities, and I think it’s great that there is no longer such a “line in the sand.”

You’re only 19 but you have already accomplished so much. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

Thank you! I plan on taking things as far and wide and grand as they can possibly go. I don’t want to put a limit as to how far music will take me. In 10 years, I see myself touring around the world, putting on the shows I’ve been planning since I was thirteen years old. I’ll be writing and making music, and I hope there will be a lot more people listening. I’m very excited to see what the future holds, and I’m working each day to make those dreams a reality.

How are you planning to finish out the rest of the year? 

I plan on finishing out the rest of the year with lots of new music, as well as a few other projects I’m currently working on! I’m very excited about what’s planned, and I’ll be able to share it all very soon!

Who are your main influences as an artist?

I am very influenced by artists such as Taylor Swift, Queen, The Beatles, Lauv, Shania Twain, Charli XCX, Noah Kahan, and YUNGBLUD. I’ve found so many things in each of these artists’ writing styles, performances, and music that speak to me, and I love how uniquely they each chose to tell their own story.

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

It would have to be Taylor Swift. I don’t think there is a better songwriter out there today. She has forged a path for herself unlike any before her, and I’ve been incredibly inspired by the ways she’s carried herself as an artist and an individual. She is the dream collab!

Do you have a message for your followers and fans?

I hope anyone who has followed or supported me in any way knows just how thankful I am for you. I am still blown away by the fact that you take time out of your day, even if it’s just three minutes, to listen to my words and melodies come out of your headphones. To know that there are people out there listening to what I have to say, to the songs I wrote in my greatest or most tragic moments, is truly everything to me. Thank you for being here. I have a lot more to say, and I can’t wait to go on this journey with you.

Thanks Caroline - all the best for the future!

 pop 

Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and Managing Director of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.