Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Milby.
Hi Caroline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2022, I had just started toying with the idea of releasing my own music. At the time I was working as an attorney with kids and family obligations and was in my late 30s. It seemed absurd, someone like me, daring to carve my own creative footprint in the world. I had come from a very pragmatic family of creatives who chose stable, practical employment over “following their dreams.” I had always played and sang music in my own time, but it took twenty years for me to gather the courage to let other people hear it.
Around this time, we had a family friend of my husband’s aunt randomly join us for an extended family brunch. I had never met him, but soon found out that he was a legendary music producer, mostly in the jazz world. He wanted to hear some of my songs. He insisted on it, in fact. It was the first time that I felt like maybe the world was supporting me in this crazy dream of being an artist. He became a mentor and a friend and with his encouragement, I released an EP and started playing around town. He also helped me gather the team and resources to record my debut album which is coming out this April,
Four years on, and I am rehearsing for a tour that I booked to promote the album. I am also excited to host my album release show here in Atlanta at Smiths Olde Bar on Friday, April 24.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve written extensively about the fear I felt when I started recording and performing on my substack. I had a fear of failure, a fear that I was selfish, a fear that I was not good enough, etc. Every artist has these fears, and every artist has to keep going in spite of them. I read this quote once that has really changed how I approach this work, “confidence comes after you do the scary thing, not before.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write imaginative art pop songs, mostly on piano, in the vein of Kate Bush or Tori Amos. I’m known for exploring deep themes with clever lyricism, lush orchestrations, and off-kilter piano hooks. Also as a wife and mother with a professional career behind me, I’m coming from a different stage in life than most pop artists. I write about broader, more mature themes that resonate with older audiences.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
My earliest memory was going to see Sesame Street Live and asking my aunt when it would be my turn to go on stage. I was sure that Big Bird was going to invite me on stage so I could entertain the audience too. I was 4, and I left that show very disappointed.
I had been born in a small town in Alabama and there weren’t many opportunities for performance, but I started doing the school play as soon as I was old enough. Then I started piano, singing and dance lessons. I had always written songs, but got most of my creative fire out during my youth and early adulthood by doing community theatre.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carolineinthegarden.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolineinthegarden_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Carolineinthegarden
- Other: https://carolineinthegarden.bandcamp.com/
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Ben Rollins
