10 Things with Carolyn Miller
How has your New York background impacted your music and who are your biggest musical inspirations?
I think being born, raised and residing in and around NYC my whole life has given my sound a little edge. You’ll definitely hear some pop influences and stylings in my music. Although it is country music and there are traditional country instruments like banjo, pedal steel, and dobro present in a lot of my songs, they are not the primary instruments. I like to describe my sound as New York meets Nashville. Kelly meets Carrie. Country meets pop…a true crossover sound, representative of who I am as an individual. I didn’t grow up on a farm or on acres of land. I’ve never driven a tractor or gone hunting. I wouldn’t be an authentic artist if I was trying to sing with a twang about those things. I’m trying to embrace where I grew up, what my influences were, what my story is, and authentically find my place in country music. I think being a born and raised NY-er has taught me to embrace your individuality and has given me the strength and confidence to go out and do so!
My biggest inspirations are Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, and Adele. Queens!
You are a classically trained singer, and your voice stands out amongst your genre. How has this background influenced your music and what is your favorite song to perform live?
Thanks so much! I’ve studied music since I was a child so I have a pretty extensive education in not only vocal health and technique, but also in music theory and piano. I went to a 4 year conservatory (Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music) and studied the performing arts intensely there. I think it’s given me the ability to be a bit directorial in my music and with my band. I love the process of coming up with musical transitions for the live show, arranging the set lists, transposing and figuring out what key things should be in, what the BPM is, etc. It’s a skill set that not every artist has and I’m so grateful for all the incredible teachers I had growing up. From a vocal stand point, I really like singing challenging songs with a wide range and hitting the big notes 🙂 My training and theatre background has definitely given me a lot of strength, flexibility, and control over my voice. It’s been cool to see my vocal stylings embraced and recognized as something different!
My new single “Summer Time” – I love getting the audience to sing the “Woah’s” along with me. Always surreal when the crowd sings your songs back to you!
What message do you want fans to gain from your music and how would you describe your sound in three words?
I’m a big believer in knowing your self worth. YOU are special, unique, important and everyone brings something different to the table. I want my listeners to have a sense of confidence and self empowerment and always feel welcomed/invited into my world. I want to be an artist that is always viewed as warm and approachable and hope my music always reflects that!
To describe my sound…just three?! Ahh! I’ll give three, three-word phrases 😉 Manhattan meets Nashville. Power country pop. Kelly meets Carrie.
You are known for incredible performances, who have you drawn inspiration from to bring such energy and personality to your performances and what has been your most memorable on- stage moment thus far?
Thank you! That means a ton. Honestly, I try to pull from every artist and show I see. I’m inspired by Carrie’s ability to flawlessly deliver everything she sings. I’m inspired by Luke Bryan’s party energy, bouncing back and forth from one side of the stage to another throughout a three hour set. I’m inspired by Adele’s ability to sit at the piano and sing a ballad in an arena while having the audience in the palm of her hand. It’s so hard to pinpoint one individual! I try to take little mental notes from everyone and everything I see. I also think my theatre background has really taught me to entertain, create “moments”, bring the audience in, banter/improv back and forth, and just be an authentic and honest soul for the time I’m on stage.
At my EP release show last summer, I remember seeing a fan who drove hours to NYC from states away, just to come see my show. She not only knew every word of the songs that were released, but she knew every word to the songs that WEREN’T yet released. That was so special and it was the first time I can vividly remember someone singing my songs back to me who wasn’t a family member – haha! It was the first time I felt like a “real” artist…I’ll never forget that memory!
Your debut EP reached No. 7 during pre-order on the iTunes Country Charts, how are you challenging yourself to take your new releases to the next level and what was the inspiration behind the “Summer Time” music video?
Great question! Right now I am working on releasing singles more regularly and building my following on Spotify. I’m also trying to incorporate more content: live acoustic videos, lyric videos, music videos, etc. Each release I want to be bigger and better than the last!
This is my first ever music video and it was such a blast to film. I split my time between New York and Nashville, so it was important to me to capture both of those places in the video and stay true to who I am. The performance scenes in the house and field were shot in Nashville and all the other locations you see in the video are spots I actually grew up going to on Long Island during the summer months. Fun fact: my co-star is my husband! We had so much fun filming this video together.
What does it mean to be a woman in country music right now and which female country music artists do you look up to and why?
I think it is such an exciting time – there’s quite a movement going on right now and to be a small part of it is very exciting. I’m glad the issue (lack of females played on country radio) is being addressed and it has been so special to watch the country music community come together (males and females!), speak up, and demand change.
I really like Carly Pearce – she worked so hard to get to where she is today and never gave up, even through her challenges and setbacks early on. She continues to work just as hard despite her success. I also really admire her commitment to working out, fitness and meal prep on top of her busy schedule…and all while planning a wedding! Girl has her priorities in order and goes after her goals whole heartedly. I love that about her!
You’ve opened for a variety of people, what have you learned from them on the stage?
They all treat their fans with such kindness and respect and you can see they really appreciate each and every single person that comes to their shows. Never take anything for granted. Be kind to everyone!
Do you have any influences from other genres in your music and who is your dream collaboration?
Pop and rock, for sure! Growing up in NY, those genres are everywhere (on the radios, at local festivals, cover bands, etc). That’s really the sound that I grew up on – so those sounds and stylings are definitely present in my music. My dream collaboration Shay Mooney! I think his voice is one of the best on the planet and wailing on stage with him would be a blast 🙂
Your pop country sound is blowing up right now, what are some traditional country sound elements that you like to incorporate into your music?
Dobro, pedal steel, and banjos. Depending on the song, maybe even mandolin and fiddle. I don’t usually have them all at once, but every now and then one or two of those instruments sneak in and get a moment to shine!
Do you have any upcoming shows and any new projects coming up on the horizon?
October 22 (The Basement – Nashville, TN), October 24 (performing live on “Today in Nashville” – Nashville, TN), November 15 (Palace Theatre with Levi Hummon – Stamford, CT), November 19 (Bravest NYC – New York, NY). All details on carolynmillermusic.com! Hopefully another new single before the end of the year and maybe even a cover video or two 🙂 Stay tuned! xo
If you read this interview, please shoot me a message! I love making new friends. I love to say hi and connect with people.