Caroline Romano on the Frenetic Energy of “Body Bag”

INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW ✦

Nashville-born artist Caroline Romano is quickly carving out her space in the alt-pop scene with a sound that is both ethereal and grounded. And after proving herself with a handful of sporadic releases, the talented singer-songwriter has officially unveiled her latest single, "Body Bag," produced in collaboration with Danen Reed Rector, known for working with artists like Charlotte Sands and Boys Like Girls.

The new track delves into the complexities of growing up and grappling with life’s stark realities — tapping into a thrilling level of intensity that feels like a worthwhile concept for the dedicated artist. With "Body Bag," Romano’s dreamy indie-pop vocals rise above a vibrant backdrop of fuzzy guitars, dynamic percussion, and enigmatic synths, seamlessly aligning with her earlier hits, “Doesn’t Matter” and “Used By You,” each illustrating her remarkable knack for transforming raw emotional experiences into introspective playlist essentials.

Now, Romano is breaking down “Body Bag” while also confirming that more music is coming soon.

Caroline Romano | Photo: Kelsey Runge

Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind your latest single, "Body Bag," and what led you to explore the themes of growing up and facing the realities of life in this song?

Caroline Romano: At 22, I feel older, yet also younger than I ever have before. I can’t tell if I’m growing up, or falling apart, or if it’s a bit of both all at once. I wrote “Body Bag” about the feeling I’ve been perpetually chasing but have never been able to catch. The past few years have been full of heartbreak and immense highs, and various methods of escapism. It sort of became a routine, the going out on a Friday to try to forget whatever bad thing happened the week prior, only to make more of a mess of it all that very same night.

I think I found comfort in that discomfort, or at least feeling far away from myself in those moments. “Body Bag” is me admitting that I am running from something, but also towards something. I feel like a kid playing dress up in a short black dress, and I miss the innocence I tried so hard to separate myself from for a while. I think that it’s not just a unique experience to me, but something a lot of people feel at various points in their lives.

What was it like working with Danen Reed Rector on both producing and co-writing "Body Bag"? What dynamic did he bring to the creative process that helped shape the final version of the song?

Caroline Romano: If you know me, you know I’ve been a huge fan of Danen and the work he’s done with some of my favorite artists for a few years now. To have the opportunity to work with him on this song was so incredible. His songwriting and production methods are so unique, and they made the creative process for this song all the more special. What I love about working with Danen is that he has this ability to see the final vision of where something should go so clearly.

It’s truly incredible to watch him work. He provides such a wonderful environment to create music in, and he also happens to be one of the kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of both meeting and working with. You can hear his sound all over “Body Bag” — he has a way of making every song he touches feel so much larger than life. I feel so blessed that I was able to create “Body Bag” with him.

I love that "Body Bag" unleashes a blend of dreamy pop vocals with a high-energy production! How did you approach crafting the sound for this particular single, and why did you choose this musical direction to convey the essence of the song?

Caroline Romano: The subject matter of “Body Bag” is very frenetic. It’s all about the really high highs and the really low lows, and sonically we knew we wanted to match that energy. We wrote a lot around the drop in the song because that was something we knew we wanted from the first line. I give full credit to Danen for the musical direction on this song and the production behind it. It’s very different from any sound I’ve touched on before, and I love it.

Your previous singles like "Doesn’t Matter" and "Used By You" have been praised for their anthemic quality in transforming raw emotions into music. What new elements would you say “Body Bag” adds to your discography?

Caroline Romano: I’d say “Body Bag” brings an element of intensity that I don’t think I’ve necessarily explored in the songs I’ve previously released. Sonically it’s got this shiny, exciting drop, but paired with concise and ultra-vulnerable lyrics. I think it shows an entirely new side of who I am as a person, and where I’m heading musically.

Caroline Romano | Photo: Kelsey Runge

You’ve stated that "Body Bag" offers a glimpse behind the curtain at the reality of modern romance and the complexity of feeling young and old simultaneously. How do you navigate these emotional contrasts within the song, both lyrically and sonically?

Caroline Romano: I think the fact that there are a lot of opposing forces existing simultaneously in “Body Bag” really help showcase those feelings. Both in the lyrics and the production, there are a lot of sweet, sentimental elements and themes, but paired with really modern, volatile, and intense portions — everything gets mixed together. I often feel like a walking contradiction, and I like that the song feels like that as well.

Your music has been described as a reflection of being a young woman in today’s world, characterized by rawness, anguish, hedonism, and introspection. How do these themes manifest in "Body Bag," and how important is it for you to convey these aspects through your music?

Caroline Romano: Songwriting is and always has been my diary and my method of coping in life. If there’s one place you go to be brutally honest with yourself, it’s in your diary, looking in the mirror, or what you say to yourself when you’re lying awake alone at night. All of those emotions, and more, are things I’ve found myself dealing with over the past few years, and am still dealing with currently. The more I look into it, the more they appear to be the plight of the twenty-something girl.

My only real goal in my music is to be terribly honest in whatever it is that I’m writing about. Those themes are what I’ve been feeling and thinking about, so it’s what I write about. The songs by some of my favorite artists that are so raw, and real, even to an uncomfortable extent, have always been my favorites, as well as a great source of comfort in my life. I hope in writing songs like “Body Bag” that anyone listening might feel that same sense of comfort and understanding.

Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you after the release of "Body Bag"? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations on the horizon that you can tease for your audience?

Caroline Romano: “Body Bag” is the first song off of a project I am so eager to announce soon. I’ve been working on this next chapter of music for the past year, and I’m very excited to finally get to share it. Definitely stay tuned!