At The Peak with Caroline In The Garden

get to know the timeless pop wonderland who is an independent musician that helps humans overcome their creative fears

Mustard has observed that success can be defined in many ways. How one defines success is dependent on that individual. Each definition of success is bred from that indiviudal’s enviroment. Growing up they heard (or were told) what success is supposed to look like. It is up for that human to decide if they agree with those teachings. Perhaps, as they have gotten older, they have gained new perspective which has altered how they perceive success.

Caroline in The Garden, an independent artist based out of Atlanta, is moving in the direction of their version of success. Before becoming a full-time artist they were a lawyer who lacked that creative fulfillment they seeked. Now - Caroline dedicates her life to music and helping humans conquer their creative fears via their Substack.

In our conversation below you will get an opportunity to learn more about the timeless pop wonderland that is at their peak. Together we discussed their ideal gardening, helping humans overcome their creative fears, and so much more!

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1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?

Hi Mustard! I'm great thank you for asking. How art thou?

2. Before we begin, Mustard wonders, when did you first enter the garden? How long have you been in the garden?

The Garden is a metaphor for my sacred creative space. It is a land of eternal creative spring. I have spent time there my whole life, but it got pretty sporadic for a while. In the past few years I have been very intentional about visiting frequently.

3. Additionally, they wonder, if you could describe your ideal garden? How do gardens help inspire you both personally and creatively?

My ideal garden is a lush, overgrown and slightly unkempt English garden with a few sunny spots but also lots of shade plants. I have always been drawn to nature and for me, it detoxifies a lot of the toil and stresses of daily life. If I'm feeling overwhelmed I can step outside. There's something about the sun on my face or the grass under my feet that induces calm and clarity.

4. Your music has been described as a "timeless pop wonderland." If Caroline in the Garden was commissioned to create a physical location out of this wonderland where it would be? What is your connection with this location? What events and activities can be found at this wonderland?

I am very drawn to the imagery and symbolism of Alice in Wonderland. In that book, you never really know if it was a dream or an alternate reality and there is something enticing about that fantasy. My timeless pop wonderland is a land of rolling green hills, lush valleys, and medieval castles but there's something off about it.

The creatures are strange and wise, the castles are made of playing cards and there is a beautiful chaos afoot at all times.

I like this "timeless pop wonderland" descriptor phrase because I enjoy making music that is lush, layered and evocative of various past eras, but not in a linear way. I can write a piano line that feels very old-world jazz or cabaret, but juxtapose it with 80s synth influences, or industrial percussion, for example.

5. Mustard wonders what your relationship with music was growing up?

My grandmother had a piano in her house, though I never saw her play it. I think it was more for show, honestly. But I was drawn to it as a toddler and would tinker around on it. I didn't take actual lessons until I got a little older which was when I started writing little melodies and dittys. I played keyboard and sang in a few bands doing other people's music but it took a while to have the courage to play my own.

But I devoured the music I listened to (like any proper angsty child), locked up in my room journaling, sketching and living in my own little world to whatever album I was exhausting at the time, probably Sarah McLachlan or Tori Amos.

6. Who (or what) influences Caroline In The Garden?

Musically, it would be the 90s piano chicks I just listed, as well as David Byrne, David Bowie and Kate Bush whom I discovered when I got a little older. I love interesting music and musicians and I think I'm nostalgic particularly for an 80s sound. More recent artists include Tune Yards, Alt J and even newer artists like MKGee and Oklou.

7. Mustard has observed that you are helping humans overcome their creative fear by sharing about your own. How has helping share your own work allowed other humans to embrace their own?

I'm so glad you asked about this! So I grew up in a way where pursuing an artistic life was discouraged. My dad, who is a guitarist but only played as a hobby after the 1970s, basically told me he never pursued it because there were other people who could do it so much better than him. I really internalized that and it discouraged me from playing my own music for a really long time.

Instead I went to law school! The irony is that there are tons of lawyers who are better than me at it, but no one discourages their kid from going to law school because others are better at it. I found my place in the legal world and did well for myself there, regardless of whether I was the best or most skilled.

And with art, more than skills like lawyering or doctoring, what you are offering is yourself. There's no comparing to other people because everyone has magic within them, its just different flavors of magic. Virtuoso playing is one potential flavor someone might have, but we need all the flavors.

However, my social conditioning was strong and I carried a lot of fear. I started writing about it when I began to tip-toe out into the world as a songwriter to hopefully help and encourage others who were also struggling.

8. Mustard is curious: what elements are necessary in crafting a Caroline in the Garden song? Could you share more about your creative process?

I find that I write a lot of songs about empowerment, similarly to my Substack, overcoming the fear to live a life that feels true to you is a big theme in my lyrics. Muscially, every song starts at the piano... except this might change because I play sparing guitar and just wrote a guitar song a few weeks ago. But generally it starts at the piano, and I love to layer interesting percussion and cool synth hooks. I work most often with Luke Mertz as my producer, he is a musician with a couple of his own projects, including Motion Cntrl , and we share of lot of the same musical heroes and influences.

9. Would you say that you dedicate your life to music?

Yes! and I love Cassidy Frost and they have helped me so much!

10. Before transitioning into your current solo project you played with Philadelphia art-rock band Weird Hot. What was your experience like with Weird Hot? Was going solo on your mind during this time?

I had so much fun with Weird Hot. It gave me a taste of what was possible because we played all the best indie venues in Philly and did some small tours, but at this point in my life I was in law school and had resigned myself to rock and roll only being a hobby.

Those guys are my friends for life, though, and some of them have played on Caroline in the Garden songs for me.

11. Earlier this year you released your debut EP "This Peak." When did you first begin working on this project? How does it feel to have this EP out into the world?

In 2022, I went back to writing songs after taking a while off. I had been playing in a 90s alt cover project around town and it gave me a lay of the land, musically, because I was a pretty recent transplant to Atlanta.

I think I just decided "enough" one day and had gotten comfortable enough playing in dive bars to disinterested patrons that I just played one of my own songs. This was March 2023. I just had to rip off the bandaid.

From there, I started doing open mics and songwriter rounds and then I met Luke my producer and we decided to make this EP.

I loved getting to flesh these songs out because they've all evolved so much from just me and a piano and I am really proud of what we've created.

12. Listening through the EP Mustard observed a lot of 80s New Wave influence sounds. Was this intentional while putting together this project?

Yes 100%! I love 80s New Wave, like Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Bronski Beat---they're having a resurgence. Musically, it just lights me up and I wanted to be both referential and reverential to that era.

13. On the opening track "The Underside" you say in between the lines there's nothing to read. As a condiment, Mustard wonders, if you could elaborate more on this lyric?

Sometimes I dream up characters and I write songs about them. This song featured a character I invented of a woman who was disassociated from her own feelings and troubles in order to keep up a facade of perfection. I imagined her out in the world like a stepford wife with perky but dead eyes. Her interactions are appropriate but flat, and that’s where this lyric comes from.

14. You followed up this song with the title track of the EP. You close it by saying that you will see us at the top. What are some signs that a human has reached the peak?

I think if we are talking about success it is so personal. The tendency is to look to outward indicators and that is such a trap. If you're looking to outward indicators, success it is a constantly moving goal post and you will never reach it. I think if you are progressing in the direction of your most authentic life than you are embodying success. And the peak of that success will look different for everyone, but you'll reach the top as long as you keep going, even if its only baby steps.

15. Reading through the lyrics, as provided on Bandcamp, Mustard noticed themes of reflection, courage, and being willing to carve a new path. How has Caroline in the Garden allowed you to carve a new path for yourself?

Well it wasn't too long ago that I was an office-drone-lawyer-wife-mom with an ongoing sense of creative dissatisfaction. Now I get to be what I've always wanted to be (but was too afraid to be) which is an artist in my own right on my own terms. I'm a happier person which, as you might imagine, has also benefited my family.

16. For those who may be struggling to carve a new path for themselves, what advice would you give them?

People don't regret the things they do, they regret the things they don't do. Every time you step through fear--the fear of what your friends and family might think, of what society might think etc-- the fear gets less powerful.

17. A human gets the opportunity to see Caroline in the Garden perform. What three words best describe your live performances

Connection, I try to engage with people in the audience--look at them instead of through them, for example-- quirky and empowering.

18. What is on the horizon for Caroline in the Garden?

I'm putting out a full length album this summer, I've got about 9 or 10 songs already recorded for it and its really going to lean more into the quirk pop side of things.

19. Where can readers listen to your music?

Just click play right here!

My cover of Violet by Hole is currently set as a free download so if you’re a fan of that song, you might want to check out my version which is more moody piano-based.

20. What is the best way readers can stay in touch with Caroline in the Garden?

My website is where I hang out most often. I put all my show dates and new tracks up there before they hit most streaming sites. I give the people on my mailing list first crack at new songs and merch and tickets so if you like my stuff its worthwhile to sign up at my website, plus it comes with a free download.

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Mustard’s Music Shelf is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 47 states and 46 countries. Check out previous interviews here.

Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.