I am here introducing with great pleasure a composer, arranger and musician from Munich (Germany): Caro. She worked as a lead and background singer in different soul, rock and funk groups and performed also as a singer/songwriter. We remind readers that the piece “Where I belong” received an honorable mention for "On The Music Waves International Song Contest" by Art-Waves and She Lives.
Caro waves into her songs stories about life, society, friendship, love and nature. Her compositions feature the human voice and include different styles of music. She presents a spectrum of vocal improvising, singing lyrics and drawing pictures by vocal sounds.
We retrace step by step the story of Caro up to today's experiences by this interview.
About her album Caro says :
"The human voice is the most fascinating instrument we know. Listen and you`ll discover souls, deeply involved by moods, expressing shadow and light – a melody of life. Most of the lyrics are fantasy, so you may imagine and create your own words, finding your own stories in these sounds of music."
Enjoy your reading!
Hi Caro, thank you for being here with Art-Waves. I'm so delighted to meet you and learn more about who you are as an artist. Before we get going, I would like you to introduce yourself to our readers. Tell us a little bit about your background: how did you discover your passion for music, your studies, music influences…
Hi Marianna, thank you for having me here. It’s a pleasure and I feel honest and happy. – Well, I started music in my childhood. My father worked as a violinist and music filled our home always. My brother was a drummer and I played the guitar. During our schooltime we had a band, playing some covers, but also wrote our own songs. It was noisy and funny but I loved more the great songwriters and most of all the fantastic Canadian singer Joni Mitchell. She uses a special guitar playing and her voice transports so much feeling. I think she inspired me to become a singer-songwriter. I played a lot of concerts during I was studying music in Munich .
What is lead you to write music for the first time?
The first time I wrote songs was for the school-band. Very simple songs with simple lyrics, I was maybe 13 years old. 😊
Who are your masters and inspirational muses?
First of all Joni Mitchell or the lyrics of Bob Dylan. And later on Bobby McFerrin, who filled my heart when he guides me to discover what you can do with your voice. And a lot of lovely people who I met or hope to meet in my daily life.
Let’s start to talking about your artistic debut. In 1990 you discovered the a cappella scene and founded the female band "Die Meedels": 4 women singing own songs without any instruments. What was it that originally drew you towards the "a cappella" performance/music?
do you know the Intro of “Road to nowhere” by the Talking Heads or the sentimental song cover “Only you” by the Flying Pickets? The sound of pure voices fascinated my ears. It’s another thing than classical choirs. There is more groove and soul in it. I was wondering if it works with only female voices too and it was good luck to find singers. The other thing is, you don’t need anything to perform your songs, no guitars, no microphones, nothing, just your voice.
You started in 2009 the mixed a cappella group EXTRATON, with soprano, alto, baritone, tenor, bass and beatbox: what did you learn from that experience?
I got the ability to write my songs more complex because there is a bigger range when you’ve got male and female singers and the bass and beatbox gave so much groove!
What can you tell us about your experience in the USA? You had take part in an intensive vocal project with Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, Judy Vinar and David Worm...
We had a great time, singing every day from 9.00am to 10,00pm. Singers from all over the world were improvising circle-songs leaded by Bobby McFerrin. I learned a lot about creating songs without lyrics, just using sounds and syllables, improvising and giving support to other singers and getting support. It was incredible and I am very thankful for having this experience.
Your first solo album “Shadow and Light – a vocal embrace” appeared in 2017 by Artistfy and was nominated for “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik” in the branch “Grenzgänge”. Was there anything in particular that inspired you when working to this album?
When I came back home from the USA I was filled with music and feelings and I knew I needed an output. So I started recording in my studio and let the ideas flow. I didn’t know if they would be songs anytime. But they did! – Of course not all.
CARO - Larimbasada
I would like to imagine your music as a metaphor with certain colors, particular scents, images of scenery … how would you describe yourself?
Marianna, you did it very kindly. I always try to give a mirror of my moods and feelings in my music so it depends what’s going on, what happens, how I feel…
Sometimes the music guides me during my work to other tunes, far away from the first idea.
Sometimes the music guides me during my work to other tunes, far away from the first idea.
If you had to pick one song that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
There are so many beautiful songs in the world and great artists. I give you three:
“Both sides now” by Joni Mitchell. Wonderful lyrics about the up and downs in life, and she gives so much feelings in her voice.
“Mensch” by Herbert Grönemeyer. A very good composition, arrangement and lyrics on point.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. The voice of Freddy Mercury, the composition! It’s so much more than a song!
CARO - When the night is falling (2020)
An album that changed your life is…
“Circlesongs” by Bobby Mc Ferrin. Maybe it is the base for my work now, writing songs without any instrument.
Can you walk us through your creative process and approach to a new piece?
Most of my songs start with a melody. I keep it in my mind and start recording it singing syllabies. I’m searching for the harmonies and the drums. Then I create the backing vocals. Maybe the melody needs some variations then. I think about finding a chorus or just let it flow by verses only. Do I want a bridge?
Then I compose a bassline, which I play on keyboard. When the song should be get ready some day, I send the bassfile to the wonderful bass-singer Andreas Hoefer, who sings the bass.
Then I try to get a good rough mix in my studio and the engineer Pit Floß does the end-mix and the mastering. I am very thankful to have theses guys by my side, supporting my music.
How do you stay inspired and creative?
I always try to keep connected with people, with life, nature and music.
What was your dream job as a child?
I wanted to become a music teacher.
If you got the chance to write a song based on your favorite book. What book would that be and why?
Recently I read the book “The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead. If I’d write a song about it, there would be no lyrics in it. There would be belting, screaming and painful sounds in minor-keys and high note drops reflecting tears.
What does music and making music mean to you and your listeners? Tell us about the power of music.
I really think music can change your life. It can be healthy, it can make you sad or happy, it can tell you ways out of bad days, it can give you moods in any way.
If I can reach my listeners by waking up any feelings with my songs, I’m happy.
CARO - Who is your Friend? (2022)
What are the musical goals you wish for?
I would be lucky to write good songs.
I close this interview with our usual question: what is Art and who are the artists in your opinion?
In my opinion Art is something personal, honest, authentic, creative, made by pain, love, happiness, sadness or other moods, deeply created by soul and heart. Art is not artificial.
Caro, thanks for your time and availability, good luck with your music! I wish you much success and for your dreams to come true! We hope to see you in Italy soon!
Thank you, Marianna for your time, your support and your sensitive interview. It was a pleasure to talk with you. And thanks a lot for your wishes!
Interview by Marianna L.
Art-Waves Cultural Association
CARO - Where I belong (2021)
honorable mention for "On The Music Waves International Song Contest" by Art-Waves
To keep up with Caro and listen to more of her music check her out online on:
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