I’m sure readers of the site have seen that we recently flashed back to 2014 with Slothrust, back when we first met the alt rock band who was still playing house shows and DIY spaces, before going on to headline mega-venue Union Transfer and sell out numerous shows at our favorite miniature Rock’N’Roll ballroom, Johnny Brenda’s. Well, we also first met Caroline Rose in 2014, whose sound and status has gone through an even bigger transformation. You likely, or hopefully, know Caroline Rose as a breakout artist of 2018. Earlier this year she released LONER, her latest album, which I’ve described as, “queer electro-punk,” and compared to Le Tigre, while she (a personal friend of mine) describes it as, “a blend of ‘70s punk and modern pop music,” citing Blondie, the B-52s, and early Justin Timberlake as influences. However, I first met Caroline back in January of 2014, when she was touring behind America Religious, an album whose sound she described as, “Gospel-meets-country-meets-blues-meets-alternative,” citing Neil Young, Dylan, and Joni Mitchell as some of her most significant influences of the time (while also admitting to being a big fan of Kendrick Lamar). At the time she was preparing to open several dates for Americana supergroup Hard Working Americans, in addition to a number of intimate singer/songwriter shows, including numerous dates upstairs at World Café Live. Although Caroline Rose played to some rather large and rather attentive Philly crowds while on tour with Hard Working Americans and Pokey LaFarge, her most successful dates have come this year, touring behind LONER. Rose has already played four packed Philadelphia shows this year, including three dates in less than 24 hours that had her playing an in-store, headlining Johnny Brenda’s, and a sold-out Free at Noon, before playing a sold-out show opening for Maggie Rogers at Union Transfer. However, Caroline Rose is back for her fifth show in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection this year and her biggest local headlining show yet, when she will headline Underground Arts this Friday, November 16th. Before the show, read our very first chat, which occurred nearly five years ago, as she wandered Disney World and was quite a different artist. Also, check out her recently released music video for “Jeannie Becomes a Mom” below.
