Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chloé Caroline. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Chloé thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Since my early childhood, I knew my purpose was to use my light and love to connect people and ensure no one ever felt alone. I always made friends with the new kids and the misfits, even though I didn’t know they were, and always tended to be a “floater” in different kinds of friend groups. I never quite felt like I fit entirely into one place. I started writing songs at 6 years old, especially as I began to learn piano, and was far more entertained creating my own melodies than the piece the teacher was trying to have me memorize. I liked the freedom. I was always drawn to music far beyond my years, finding myself emotionally invested in the bittersweet melodies of Fleetwood Mac and the vulnerable lyrics of artists like Cat Stevens or even Avril Lavigne. Music ran in my family, my grandpa had his own radio show he sang on regularly and my father was in rock n roll bands–maybe that inspired me to draw a picture of “Britney Spears’ when my 3rd grade teacher asked what I wanted to be but I think it was more than that. An innate knowing. I was always a storyteller, spearheading the storylines when my sister and I played make believe and excelling in creating writing in school. I’d spend hours in my own time writing my own mini stories and “novels” beginning in 4th grade. But it was at 11, that I had a life threatening illness pulling me out of 6th grade into doctors offices and hospital rooms. It left me isolated, and for a long time, misunderstood as they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Thinking it was an eating disorder, my friend’s parents wouldn’t allow them to see me and nurses wouldn’t allow me to shut the bathroom door in my hospital room for fear I was bulimic. Once I was diagnosed with an extremely rare virus, stomach hernia and parasite, it was a journey to recover. I had dropped 30 pounds and looked entirely different but also had a newfound perspective for what was truly important. I was already an old soul but my appreciation for even a simple walk or getting to go to school was significant. Music was my connection to the world and I turned to singing and songwriting as my outlet. Upon returning to a new school for a fresh start to avoid any judgment from my former public school peers, I then was instead bullied in 7th grade at the new Catholic private school I attended. Partially outcasted for not being Catholic, and then for befriending the girl that was picked on. It was small and every kid knew each other since kindergarten. Again, I continued to turn to music becoming obsessed with finding other people who wrote their own original music on YouTube and taught myself guitar. When my english teacher encouraged us every day for a few mins to free-write without ANY concern for spelling or grammar, it opened me up even further. It became my journal where there were no boundaries. I could even deep dive into what was happening at the lunch table. While this combined with songwriting was my form of therapy, using Facebook in 8th grade was the start to me sharing my gift with others and realizing the impact it had when a song I strummed from my bedroom and posted, resonated with someone else. Apart from the yearly talent show or school choir, I had otherwise been too shy to perform for fear of messing up, and this was a way to start. That connection was everything to me when I was all alone and maybe they were too. Re-attending my old public school, I noticed how my honesty allowed others to feel safe with their own expression and was bewildered they related. I loved that it helped them feel understood or navigate through a tough time as it did for me. Yet, they were helping me as much as I was helping them. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life and career to sharing my authenticity, light, and love through my music but also as an actress, podcast host, and human being.
Chloé, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
We are all creatives with our own unique callings and I’ve watched as my vulnerability in my music has created a safe space for a diversity of people around the world to step into theirs. Humans are driven by fear and we live in a world where the media feeds off of negativity, darkness, and division. While that exists and I accept that, I’ve learned that perspective is powerful and light will always be far more contagious. I’ve witnessed the “impossible” become “possible” and what’s broken become healed from personal experience. So while much of what is “cool” nowadays might be darker or edgier, I create music to do the opposite. No, I don’t sugar coat or paint a world of sunshine and rainbows. To be clear, I write feel-good songs AND sad songs–I tell the truth because THAT is what is universal. But even in the sad or bittersweet, I like to leave people with some form of hope or peace. Much of my messaging is geared toward motivating others that they don’t have to limit themselves. They can manifest and live their best lives now. They can reach their dreams. They can have the healthy all encompassing relationship. The only thing that can stop them is themselves–believing it’s not already destined for them. I want to be the living proof of that so I try to continue to set the example. Some of my biggest achievements have happened from stepping outside the comfort zone and doing my best to not let the fact that I am a female independent artist in the most competitive genre there is, to get in the way. Whether its cold DMing my favorite radio station and getting added to it, landing a movie role/soundtrack even though I’d never acted, working with 70+ brands and co-creating a jewelry collection inspired by my songs, or in my personal life, manifesting the love of my life. Since the beginning, I also work hard to respond and interact personally with each person that gives my music a chance because they are my why. If one of them connects with it, I’ve done my job. I’ve hired “fans” to create artwork, shoot videos, design merch etc. and that is the biggest bonus because it reminds me that if I don’t put my authenticity out there, maybe there would be one less thing created with that person that could then impact someone else.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I find the most fulfillment through writing songs that have the ability to invoke hope, inspiration, and connection with the goal that it will find the people who need it most. For example, my music found its way to Ssebuuma Hadadi from Masaka City, Uganda; a man with the same goal to inspire but through spreading mental health awareness as part of a charity organization called God’s Mercy Africa. The organization works to support vulnerable children, educate the orphaned, and empower single mothers, elders, and youth. Ssebuuma first discovered my song “Saving Space” on IG, one of my most personal and favorite songs written at a pivotal point in my own healing journey when I was learning how to surrender to the unknown without giving up hope. We often have trouble letting go, fearing that what we desire will then never show up, without recognizing that in order to attract it, we have to make room for it or the possibility of even better. Helping people, especially those facing adversity, find peace in the present yet remain optimistic about the future is how my song aligned so well with their mission. Ssebuuma tagged me in a reel, DM’d me, and after we connected there, he shared “Saving Space” with the nonprofit. It has been used in Uganda at the organization, as well as in their documentary, expanding my reach and making an impact globally. For me personally, this was extremely encouraging because I realized how limitless I was the moment I released control over timing and affirmed I had everything I needed within myself. I had so much more freedom to succeed because when something didn’t work out, it wasn’t a failure–it was a redirection. I could face my fears because I was ready for all possible outcomes and yet I never saw this one coming which made it even better!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When my producer told me I wasn’t ready for the next level of my career after doing everything he’d asked and “proving success”, I was highly discouraged and confused. How could he decide if I was ready? I was the only one who could determine that. I’d felt limited and stuck in Tennessee but had been too scared to leave for fear I’d be starting over, maybe this is what I needed to do to prove to myself I really was ready for bigger. It kickstarted me taking a leap of faith by leaving the community and momentum I’d built in Nashville to go to a much bigger place, LA. Sure I was from there, but I hadn’t lived there as an adult artist. I also walked away from the 5 year emotionally abusive relationship I had been in. Right before I left, I wrote a song inspired by that leap called “Ready” and less than 6 months after moving, the world shut down with COVID. I decided to release “Ready” anyways, posting my first IG vertical music video and starting a “trust fall” trend on reels where followers were able to feel inspired by the song and share what they were most ready to take a leap of faith on despite COVID. Witnessing people of all kinds on social media say yes to the uncomfortable and the unknown with trust, only reaffirmed I had to continue to use the platform I’d built for light, even in all the dark noise. I even had a man share a reel covering “Ready” with violin, his powerful cover made me sob and he messaged me saying my song inspired him to take his own leap of faith and become a pilot like he’d be dreaming of even though he’d been a life long musician. Since then, I’ve now written/released the first of 2 EPs,“The Awakening Vol 1” that digs even deeper into my journey of surrender and healing, leading to 6 mini music videos and a jewelry collection inspired by the music in collaboration with MoonGlow Jewelry. I’ve starred and sang as the lead in a Stella Rosa holiday campaign, landed partnerships with Meta and had my music in TV shows like MTV’s “Catfish” and on radio stations like Alt 98.7. From selling out shows like Hotel Cafe and industry events like School Night to opening for MAGIC! at The Venice West next month–I’ve expanded into opportunities I would have never had had I not taken the leap. Continuing to jump outside my comfort zone, I also decided to try something new by reaching out to a female wellness guru I met via IG and asked if she wanted to start a podcast with me called “Unwritten”. Each 3 part series includes unedited discussion on various topics geared toward being our best selves. Guests are self nominated regular people via IG and I share the visual component of my episodes via reels and IG live as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.chloecaroline.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/chloecaroline/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloecarolinemusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/imchloecaroline
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chloecarolinemusic
- Other: Watch/Stream her newest single “94”:
Apple Music: https://applemusic.com/
chloecaroline/ Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2GsiP9S Unwritten Podcast: https://lnkfi.re/unwrittenpodcast Shop my “Lover’s Tarot Card” necklace inspired by my song “TWINFLAMES”: https://www.moonglow.ca/collections/the- chloe-caroline-edit/products/ the-lover-s-tarot-card- necklace-by-chloe-caroline? variant=40483870310505&shpxid= c6699b0f-8ba0-40e7-94ea- 4bce07e303be Shop my “Saving Space” bar bracelet inspired by my song “Saving Space”: https://www.moonglow.com/collections/the-chloe- caroline-edit/products/the- saving-space-bar-bracelet-by- chloe-caroline?variant= 40483934961769
Image Credits
Marshall Loren, Trey Betts, Ru