We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Kid recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

This isn’t an either-or for me. When I moved to Nashville, I hadn’t written a song yet, so I knew I couldn’t afford to make music without a day job. I learned early on that a lot of artists hide their main income stream from their socials and artist identity—but truthfully, we’re all just out here trying to pay for our music and marketing.

Of course I wish I had the golden ticket to make music full time. But I’ve also come to believe that maybe I write better songs by living a “regular” life—by letting my music be the product of something real.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Caroline Kid and I am an independent singer-songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. My sound leans into commercial country but I like to pull references from pop, Americana, soul, and rock. I think the genre matters a lot less than the story. I always try to say something familiar but make it a little bit different than maybe you’ve heard before.

I am very intentional about making my music a reflection of my personality. I want to have heart to hearts and party anthems. I want to clap and shout in songs like “Get Outta My Kitchen”, but I also want to make room for vulnerability like with “Thursday at 5:30”. I’m pretty hell-bent on not just doing one thing because that is what algorithms like. I want people to turn on my music when they need someone to understand something they feel.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Making friends and looking back at years of shows, songs, and memories made together. Every song I’ve played comes from time spent with wonderful people. I’m so grateful for that.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I would challenge anyone who loves art and music but thinks of themselves as a “non-creative” to reconsider that label. I waited a long time for a license to call myself an “artist”. I felt like I needed to be better than other people at something or that I needed to be chosen by an authority figure. I was waiting on some sort of blessing form the Wizard of Oz. But like the Wizard of Oz, I learned that identity is an illusion. Art is a practice and creativity is a muscle. Sure, I want commercial success as much as the next guy, but the worst scenario would have been waiting for someone to give me permission to make music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinekid.com
• Instagram: @carolineonthego
• Facebook: @carolinekid
• Youtube: @carolinekid
• Other: tiktok: @carolinekid_

Image Credits

Emily Carver, Randon Bopp, Libby Danforth