Q&A with Caroline Romano

On July 28th, Nashville-based alt-pop artist Caroline Romano released her new EP, A Brief Epic. The six-track EP tells the full story of a short-lived romance, from the early stages of infatuation through to its eventual end. The EP's final song, "Then I Woke Up," sees Romano begin to move past the heartbreak. In our new Q&A, she tells us more about A Brief Epic and her creative influences.

What was the inspiration behind the EP?

Until last year, I had little to no understanding as to why people lost their minds over other people. I had no references to understand those classic love stories. I use the phrase ‘love story’ loosely - carelessly, really - as I don’t think this situation was one of those at all. It’s something that falls far short of such a title, but it carries the weight. It’s a brief epic.

The EP largely follows one cohesive storyline. What was your writing process like for it?

Writing this EP happened somewhat accidentally, in that I didn’t set out to write one cohesive story. I started writing the songs that ended up on 'A Brief Epic' after my first heartbreak last summer. I was just going home and writing lines and thoughts down each day as a form of therapy/getting my emotions out somehow. Through various ways these ideas turned into songs brought to life in sessions throughout the summer and early fall. It wasn’t until I wrote “Then I Woke Up” that I realized there had been 6 songs I’d written over the course of those months that told the entire story. I was writing because it's the way I deal with everything in life.

Do you have a favorite song on the EP? If you do, why is it your favorite?

My favorite song from the EP is "St. George." I think it’s my favorite because it was the first song I wrote after that relationship ended, and I feel like you can hear that in the song. It’s the most personal, and it’s the most vulnerable. It’s a conversation really. I also love the song sonically. Those 80’s drums in the chorus are my favorite.

Do you have a video project planned to illustrate the full EP?

I don’t as of right now, but I’d love to make one down the line. The video aspect of music is something I’ve always loved, and I feel like it gives me a chance to tell a song’s story from a different outlook.

The EP cover art is really interesting. What is the story behind it?

I knew I wanted the cover to take place in a guys bedroom because that’s the setting for the EP. That’s where I fell in love and fell apart and experienced all of the things these songs are about. It feels like you’re in a dream when you’re so in love like that. That’s what the clouds represent. The water is there because, at least I found, you can feel like you’re drowning and floating 6 feet off the ground at the same time. You’re so emotionally high, but the water is rising the entire time.

Who, or what, has most influenced your music and artistic style?

I feel like I could name a hundred different things. Life is constantly finding new ways to influence what I write. It’s artists like Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan, Lorde, and Queen. It’s Greek mythology and cities and boys who walk with their hands in their pockets. It’s a million little things.

What are you listening to currently?

I’ve been listening to Lizzy McAlpine a lot lately. I love Five Seconds Flat. I’m always listening to Noah Kahan. I’ve been into Brakence a lot lately as well.

Listen to Caroline Romano's new EP A Brief Epic now.

Photo credit: Justin Nolan Key