Caroline Carter is no stranger to blending vulnerability with resilience in her music. Hailing from vibrant Fort Worth, Texas, and now thriving in the indie folk/rock scene in Nashville, Caroline's artistry resonates deeply with themes of queer identity, heartbreak, and the bittersweet process of growing up. In this exclusive interview, we dive into her journey—from childhood musical influences and her passion for vinyl culture to the creation of her EP, I Did What I Promised (Deluxe), and her evolving sound. Join us as we explore the melodies and moments that make Caroline Carter an artist to watch.

Nicolle: Hi, Caroline, first things first, could you introduce yourself and the music you make to our readers?

Caroline: Hi there! My name is Caroline Carter. I live in Nashville and make indie folk/rock music about growing up and navigating queer romance & heartbreak in the South.

Nicolle: How did growing up in the vibrant musical scene of Fort Worth, Texas, shape your passion for music and artistry?

Caroline: There was less of an indie music scene in Fort Worth as I was growing up, but I remember going to shows as often as I could as soon as I could drive. I have so much love for my hometown, and it definitely plays a huge role in my artistry. I write a bunch about what it’s like to grow up in a place where being gay isn’t the norm. I did musical theatre as a kid and continued throughout my teenage years, and wrote songs for fun.

Nicolle: What role did your family’s appreciation for music play in your journey as a singer-songwriter?

Caroline: My dad had a big role in shaping my music taste. When he wasn’t playing dad rock in the car, I always asked him to play the live version of Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac. Looking back on that, I realize that’s a crazy song to ask for at 7 am on the way to middle school. But I know every word of that song. Other than that, my mom would play a lot of country. I think that contributed to the slight twang in my voice. When I toured with The 4411 over the summer, I covered ‘There’s Your Trouble’ by The Chicks just so I could sing something twangy and fun. I have a lot of fun with playing with that part of my voice.

Nicolle: What drew you to vinyl culture, and how has it influenced your creative process and connection with fans?

Caroline: My favorite record store Doc’s Records lives in Fort Worth. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there to find a record I love and justify a $20-$30 purchase. Buying records is such an intimate experience that I love to share with over people. As far as my connections with fans go, I try as hard as I can to keep that personal relationship as much as I can in an appropriate manner. It means so much to me that people even like my music, so communicating with them is the least I could possibly do. Every once in a while I’ll get a DM from someone telling me about their personal experience with one of my songs, and it always makes my day. I just feel so lucky. I would love to have my EP on vinyl at some point soon- that’s a bucket list thing for sure.

Nicolle: Can you tell us more about the local music festivals and jam sessions from your childhood that solidified your passion for music?

Caroline: The first music festival I ever went to was actually in Fort Worth, back when they still held a festival called Fortress Fest. I saw Courtney Barnett and The Voidz and freaked out because I couldn’t believe I was seeing Julian Casablancas on Stage. I went to ACL in 2021 but decided the heat was too much and I would never be doing that as a concertgoer again. All of that aside though- I think that music festivals are so special. It’s an incredible environment to be in, especially as an artist. Growing up going to those shows and festivals really showed me just how much I cared to be around musicians, and how intimate it feels to witness someone playing their music. The passion is palpable. In my own dream world, I’d love to play ACL or any Texas festival.

Nicolle: How have artists like Madison Cunningham, Phoebe Bridgers, and Soccer Mommy influenced your sound and songwriting style?

Caroline: Soccer Mommy is the OG. I went to a record store while on a family vacation at the age of 15 and freaked out when I saw Clean on the shelf. All of her records are incredible. I’ll always point to her as my longest-running influence. Madison Cunningham is more of a recent one. My buddy Annabel told me to listen to Revealer around this time a year ago and I was so moved. That’s a no-skip album. Her lyricism is perfect and she’s also an insane guitarist. I tell everybody I know to listen to that album. Phoebe Bridgers rocked my world when Punisher came out in 2020. I definitely take a lot of songwriting influence from her in the way that she says everything so bluntly. Phoebe is a master of metaphor and I always try to pull from the way she uses it.

Nicolle: Your music blends vulnerability with an edge. How did you find this balance, and what challenges have you faced in shaping your unique sound?

Caroline: Thank you so much! I’ve always tried to write with honesty before anything else, which can be scary. Like I said before, finding the room to be blunt is my key to writing something I truly care about. If I don’t have that, it’s unlikely that I’ll end up with a song that goes anywhere. I write a lot. Most of those songs never see the light of day. The songs that are the hardest for me to write are always the ones I love the most.

Nicolle: What was the journey like from performing at open mic nights to gaining recognition in Nashville’s music community?

Caroline: I’ve never played at an open mic in Nashville- at least not yet! I’ve been on quite a few bills here and I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such talented people. The first show I ever played with my band (Thanks to Eva Campos) was with Olivia Montgomery and Jack Landesstwo incredibly talented people with incredible bands. I had such awful impostor syndrome the entire time because I couldn’t believe the fact that I was sharing a stage with them, let alone headlining. I’ve met so many wonderful people in Nashville that I’m lucky to call my friends, and they always show up to my shows. I’ll never take that for granted.

Nicolle: “I Did What I Promised (Deluxe)” was a turning point for you. How did the creation and reception of this album reflect your artistic vision?

Caroline: Making this EP was such a dream. I wrote about my hard feelings and some people really liked it! It took a long time to do, and it’s my baby because it’s my first full project out in the world. I think IDWIP is such a perfect introduction to who I am not only as an artist but as a person. I wanted there to be a tangible shift in mood- that’s why you have a song like Reruns which is fun and kind of bitter, and you also have Whatever Happened To You, which is just devastating.

Nicolle: I love Trinity as well As Trinity 2 where you feature the lovely Sydney Rose, what is the story behind the song?

Caroline: Thank you so much! Trinity is my favourite. I like to describe it as a thank-you note to my first real love. I wrote it for her to know that I really do care about her, and I wonder if she’s doing okay. There’s not an ounce of remorse or regret in that song. Only love. Getting to have Sydney on the second version was so special. She’s one of the sweetest friends I could have and she is so talented and humble.

Nicolle: Another song I am obsessed with is Lubbock which is featured on Grace Gardner´s album Recovery Mile. What was working on that song with Grace like?

Caroline: Grace will forever be one of my favourite people. I always say that I wouldn’t have been able to write that song with anybody else. When you collaborate with Grace, they put so much care into whatever it is that you’re creating. It’s such an easy and lovable experience. I was so heartbroken when we wrote that song together, and by the end of it, I felt on top of the world. Grace and I have so much more that we’ve written that I can’t wait for people to hear. Hopefully soon. Maybe even under a new band name…

Nicolle: Your lyrics often draw from personal experiences. How do love, heartbreak, and identity inform your songwriting?

Caroline: Songwriting, first and foremost, is an outlet for me. I write about how I feel. Every song I have released is just a look into my emotional state from when I wrote the song- which is cool but can also be daunting. The people who my songs are about could tell that the song is about them, due to the honesty of it all.

Nicolle: As an openly queer artist, how do you navigate infusing themes of authenticity and representation into your music?

Caroline: I think queer music does not have to be so explicitly stated. I write about girls so I use she/her pronouns in my lyrics. Most of my lyricism is through the lens of someone who grew up very scared to express my sexuality freely, and that feeling is still somewhat present. I have plenty of songs that express how I often confuse the line between platonic and romantic love, which has always been very difficult for me to differentiate within my female friendships. I really enjoy writing about this confusion and difficulty because there are plenty of picture-perfect love songs or sweet songs about having a crush, but the truth is that most times it’s far messier than that.

Nicolle: How have your philanthropic efforts and commitment to LGBTQ+ rights influenced your public persona and artistic journey?

Caroline: I always think it’s important to be transparent with your audience about what you believe and what you’re willing to speak up about. In doing so, you’re curating a space for your audience. I want my space to feel as safe and comfortable as possible for anyone who relates to anything I have to say in my music.

Nicolle: What are your next steps in pushing lyrical boundaries and exploring your sound further?

Caroline: I want my next project to feel darker and heavier. The lyrical content is similar to IDWIP, but I’m excited to play around with some grittier, darker production elements. The song I’m working on right now packs a punch, and the lyrics are pretty blunt but honest. In the future, I’d love to experiment with some twangier stuff to honour those Texan roots.

As Caroline Carter continues to push the boundaries of her sound and storytelling, her music serves as a testament to the power of honesty, identity, and connection. From heartfelt ballads to darker, grittier undertones, her artistry reflects a deep commitment to authenticity and representation. Whether you’re spinning vinyl in your living room or catching her live on stage, Caroline’s songs are sure to resonate. Stay tuned for her upcoming projects, which promise to pack an emotional punch while staying true to her Texan roots.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.

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