Caroline Dare is a 21 year old Nashville, TN based pop songwriter/artist, mental health advocate, and certified cat mom.
Originally from North Carolina, Caroline made the permanent move to Nashville at age 18 after traveling back and forth from her home state since the age of 12. During those early years, she focused on her songwriting, guitar, performance, and vocal skills to build a strong foundation for the future. She also started posting her original songs on social media at an early age which has now grown into a loyal organic fanbase which is witnessed by the daily messages she receives from fans on how her music has changed their lives.
How do you cope with stress?
I really strive to find balance in my everyday life. I’ve become very intuitive in my own body; I try to listen to my emotional needs. I make time for relaxing activities. Nature is so helpful. I go on walks outside in the evening, and I go to sound baths to meditate. I’m a hard worker & very driven, but I also don’t want to be burnt out. Finding this balance has been so great for my brain.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
I would describe myself as genuine. I hate lying, cutting corners & tip toeing around problems. I would rather be honest and have conversations in depth, even if they are difficult. I’ve always been this way! I don’t feel right if I’m not being genuine.
What is your biggest weakness? What helped you to identify it? What helps you to get over it?
My biggest weakness is my own self doubt. I really used to hold myself back from experiencing things because I was so afraid of what other people might think of me if I did something different. Every person around me would say all these sweet things to me & say that they love me. I could not accept a single compliment because I had different beliefs about myself that were so negative. I wasn’t taking myself seriously which resulted in my life feeling stagnant. I go to therapy consistently to work on it and try to catch myself when I’m having mean thoughts about myself.
How do you generate new ideas?
I love finding inspiration for music in my everyday life. I reflect on what I’m going through & see if there’s anything there. I might say something that sticks out to me. I love coming across words and phrases that are super different, and that usually inspire the titles of my songs. I’m also listening to a lot of different music, so if I hear something that makes me feel something, I will take notes. Emotion is so important when it comes to generating ideas.
How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
I used to not be able to finish songs, but that has definitely changed. I will literally not give up on writing a song until it’s done even if it takes me 6 months. I will ruminate on it and will constantly be thinking about it until I’m satisfied.
What is the most useless talent you have?
This talent might not be the MOST useless necessarily, but it really can be dumb sometimes. Hear me out. I have a perfect pitch. I can hear a note & immediately know what it is without a reference. It is actually really helpful when I’m working on music, but in everyday life, it’s kinda pointless. My car will beep and my instant thought is, “Oh, that’s a D.” A lot of appliances in my house also beep in D. I will hit my water bottle on something and I’ll notice the bang was an F#.
What do I expect other people to do with that information?
It’s little stupid things that I pick up on, so I guess that’s why I don’t talk about it much.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
I love bowls with tofu, veggies, and grains. A grain bowl would be nice. It’s comforting. I have a dairy allergy and I don’t eat meat so you’ll have to be a little more creative in the kitchen for me.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I watch the same series over and over. Lately, I’ve been watching Friends. Any show that doesn’t take a lot of mental energy to watch is really enjoyable for me.
What makes you nostalgic?
Seasons make me SO nostalgic. There’s something about the weather in the fall that just reminds me of home. There’s a certain smell in the air, and an almost euphoric feeling I get
when the weather starts to change. I only feel it in the fall. In the spring, I surprisingly still get the same type of feeling I used to get toward the end of the school year, even though I’ve been out of school for years now. I get certain feelings annually depending on what season it is.
Tell us what your ideal partner might look like if you could order one from ‘Partners R Us’.
I’ve learned a lot of lessons in this department. I want someone who matches my energy and effort. I know what I can give in a relationship, and I also know what I deserve. I really value emotional capacity and vulnerability when it comes to communication. I love people who elevate my life and don’t hold me back.
Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?
I started collecting crystals this year. Crystals have changed the energy in my home. I find that each one has its own type of energy, and each one I have is so beautiful and powerful. I think it’s such a special thing to have my own elements of the earth in my home.