UK songstress Tara Carosielli has just released her latest single, ‘Cry Baby,’ produced by LA-based producer JNTHN STEIN. “‘Cry Baby’ is written about somebody who I met and was completely in awe of… somebody who only reciprocated that same energy if we were in the same room. I had to train myself to be less soft with him, and so I wrote this song when I was fed up. It was the first step in taking my power and my adoration back.” Tara’s alluring voice gracefully winds around the beats, infusing the song with life and energy. In our interview, she discusses the inspiration behind her new single, which shares the same name as her tattoo, as well as her approach to social media.
Your decision to take a break and focus on personal growth before pursuing your music career further is quite uncommon in the industry. Can you tell us more about that decision and how it has impacted your artistry?
After the release of my first project ‘I Know You Hate Me’ I had a bad case of writers block. I’d put my blood, sweat and tears into creating that EP and there were so many others that didn’t make the cut, I was sort of burnt out. Everything I write is so honest and raw, so during that break, taking that time to just simply live, it was like I was collecting the stories that I would eventually begin to tell again. I’d say I’ve doubled down on the honesty and I’m writing in ways I never have before. I’ve learnt more about myself both personally and creatively.
How long did your break last, and would you consider taking another break like that in the future?
Although I didn’t really put any music out during the five years, I was still writing and just trying to figure out what this all meant for me. As long as I am living, I will always have something to say and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
You recently collaborated with Coco & Breezy on their hit song ‘Just Say,’ which has been incredibly successful. How did that collaboration come about, and what was it like working with them?
I was in the studio with my good friend Calper, one of my favourite people to write with, and he’d played me the track and asked if I wanted to just write to it. I loved it and the song was written within 4 hours. Coco & Breezy and their whole team are just so sick. It’s been a dream working with them!
“I love mood lighting. Colour means a lot to me in the writing process.”
You have a tattoo on your thigh that reads ‘Cry Baby’, which is also the title of your new single. Can you tell us more about the tattoo and its connection to the song, and what inspired you to get it?
I’m a sensitive person and I feel things very deeply, so I guess the Cry Baby tattoo resembles the softer side of me. I do have a tougher side to me though, and the song was written in a moment of vulnerability but I think I was desperate to flip the narrative.
Your new single, ‘Cry Baby,’ is about taking your power and adoration back from someone who didn’t reciprocate your feelings. Can you tell us more about how you turned that experience into music?
Writing Cry Baby was very reflective for me. It made me realise that I wasn’t just sad, I was frustrated too. I’m so particular with sounds because production evokes just as much emotion as words do. Cry Baby is just a little rough around the edges but somewhat sweet to me.
As a songwriter, what’s your creative process like? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you get into the zone?
I love mood lighting. Colour means a lot to me in the writing process. A sound can trigger a colour, and a colour can trickle down into a feeling, a feeling can write a whole song. I like to be reminded of an experience, a person, a memory because that’s where I pull my creativity from. It’s like free therapy. Oh, and a lot of oat mochas.
“As long as I am living, I will always have something to say…”
Your Instagram profile has only a few posts. How do you approach social media as an artist, and how has it impacted your career?
I suck at social media, it’s one of a few things I need to get better at. I’m just a shy person with a lot of feelings and thoughts and the first place I want to dump them in, is the studio. I do communicate though, I love talking with people who reach out, it makes me happy. Hopefully I’ll get better at it, Godspeed.
What can fans expect from your upcoming music, and what are your goals for your career moving forward?
The new music is sad and angry and romantic and just, Tara at 28. I’d just like to write an album that I really fucking love and sing it to a beautiful crowd. Performing live is scary for me, but fulfilling and I wanna do it.
