We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carrie Rodrigues a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carrie, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I think that fear can often hold us back from our own happiness.
I spent a lot of time being afraid to play my music in public. For years and years, I played only with close friends or alone in my bedroom in the late hours of the night. I played with bands on and off, but never really let myself put my heart into it.
Finally, when I was 28, I realized how much I was missing human connection through music and started to play shows. The reception I got was absolutely incredible and made me wish I had started so much sooner. The community I am part of now because of my music is the most heartening part of my life and the music I make and shows I play are the part of the day I look forward to the most.
Carrie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Carrie Rodrigues, and I go by Caro on stage. My band, Caro Caro, is a local DC band who plays folk-rock.
My song-writing is a very personal and confessional process that values open vulnerability overall, as it fosters meaningful connection between myself and the audience. I am most proud of being able to make others feel seen through my music, or just simply seeing people enjoy the music.
Our favorite thing about playing shows is being able to connect with the audience and meet others in the DC local music community!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Support local artists! Buy local music and merch! Attend shows! Interact with artists in person and through social media to show support! Let them know that their work is important!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2020, I was very unhappy with where I was in life, particularly with my career. I thought what I needed was c0mplete satisfaction with my career to be happy with my life, and I thought the way to achieve that was to completely change careers. I applied to grad school, hoping to go into mental health counseling. I got in, quit my job, and prepared to being as a student all over again. However, because of the nature of the degree (which requires licensing after graduating) and COVID-19, the degree was going to take longer and cost more money than I initially anticipated (something I do not have!). I left the program, and re-entered the job force. I was able to find a career with a more healthy environment then where I had previously been, but I still felt something missing in my life.
I began to play music with friends. The positive feedback I received for my writing and my songs and the connection and community I was building made me realize that maybe what I needed instead of total happiness in my career was a balance in my life. Once I began playing live, my music took off very quickly and my all around happiness and satisfaction with my life has completely changed for the better.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mp3caro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrieisking/