“I Tried to Be More Patient This Time Around” – An Interview with Caroline Romano

Nashville-based alt-pop sensation Caroline Romano has just released her new EP, A Brief Epic. Featuring six tracks, including recent singles “This House,” “Guts” and “Mississippi Air,” A Brief Epic documents a romance from initial infatuation and thinking its too good to be true through to the end of the relationship. It’s something everyone can relate to and each song on the EP encapsulates the feeling of each step in this type of love story, from the emotional outpouring of “Guts” to the melancholic drama of “This House” as the end nears.

We caught up with Caroline for a chat about the new EP and her musical inspirations.

Hi Caroline! How’s everything going right now?
Hi! Everything’s going well right now. Things are really busy, but I love when they are.

What classic album cover is your current mood?
Probably Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ cover because I’ve been obsessed with wearing sweatshirts lately, even though it’s nearly a hundred degrees out right now!

Your wonderful new EP “A Brief Epic” is out this week. When and where did you write and record the songs?
I wrote the majority of the songs on the EP around this time last summer. I had just gotten out of the relationship that the EP is about, so it was all really fresh and I was just writing everything in the moment as it happened. I wrote and recorded all of the songs here in Nashville.

We’ve had “Guts” on rotation since we first heard it in March. Do you have a favorite track on the EP?
Thank you! I’d have to say my favorite track from the EP is “St. George.” It’s the first song I wrote for the project, and it’s just a really personal song. It means a lot to me, from both a songwriting and personal perspective.

If you could only listen to one record, what would it be?
Oh gosh, this is nearly impossible to answer. I’d say if I had to pick right now it would be ‘Stick Season’ (the deluxe version) by Noah Kahan.

Your debut album “Oddities and Prodigies” came out last year. What did you learn from that release and do differently when you approached the new tracks?
I chose to release a lot more singles for this project than I did with my last album. I tried to be more patient this time around and roll things out over time instead of all at once.

You’re based in Nashville but don’t sound “country” at all – what did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a lot of what my parents listened to, which was Bryan Adams, Shania Twain, Queen, Bon Jovi, etc. In early middle school and high school I was really into Taylor Swift, My Chemical Romance, Yungblud, and Twenty One Pilots.

Do you have any plans to tour the EP and where would be your dream location to play it?
I would love to tour the EP. Going on tour is a dream of mine and it’s something I’m definitely working on. My dream location to perform ‘A Brief Epic’ would actually probably be a venue in Nashville, just because it’s where I’ve seen some of my all time favorite artists and bands perform the songs that have changed my life. Playing the EP at Marathon or Brooklyn Bowl here in town would honestly be a dream come true.

What would go on your signature pizza and what would it be called?
Ooh! I’d probably put some sort of Balsamic glaze situation on there with some arugula and Romano cheese. I think I’d call it the Ray Romano or something. We’re not related at all, but I think that would be cool!

What do you have planned for the rest of 2023 and beyond?
I’ve got lots of new music planned for 2023 and into next year. I’m stoked to play more shows too, I can’t wait for the ones I already have booked and the one’s I’m working on. I’m really excited for what’s to come!

At just 21-years-old, the Nashville-based singer and songwriter has already accrued millions of streams across her repertoire. Caroline’s songs showcase her witty, introspective and hopeful take on modernity, romanticism and the highs and lows of being young in today’s world. Since sharing her debut album, Oddities and Prodigies, in 2022, she has continued to come into her own with a more mature and intentional alt-leaning sound that can be heard across the new EP.

You can find out more about Caroline at her website and follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news.

Photo credit: Justin Nolan Key