Constant moving from place to place isn’t the easiest situation for a child to experience, and Carrie Welling knows that challenge very well. But those challenges built character and knowledge, two things Carrie brings clearly into her songwriting. Like all artists, Carrie faced another challenge and adapted as needed during the past 12 months, with online shows and the success of her Patreon channel, as well as releasing her personal album High Heels and Heavy Things.
We caught up with Carrie to talk about growing up in a military family, her 2020 and more
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
CW: Hello and thank you so much for having me. My name is Carrie Welling and I am a singer-songwriter living in Nashville, TN. I was a government brat growing up so I’ve lived in many places including Germany. I ended up going to music school in NYC where I was in a ton of bands and was very much involved in the singer-songwriter scene. I then decided to make a move to Nashville, TN to pursue a solo career. And here I am! My music has definitely changed and evolved over the years. I wrote my first solo EP when I was in the midst of a lot of major life transitions. Now, with my debut album, “High Heels And Heavy Things,” I finally feel ready to share the real “Carrie Welling” stories. “High Heels and Heavy Things” was released in Sept 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. My release show was streamed online and was a huge success thanks to my supporters. It’s finally out for everyone to hear and I couldn’t be more proud of this record’s journey.
Side note: I also really love to teach yoga and sometimes incorporate my music in the classes. And of course, I love to travel! I’m one of those musicians who very much likes the touring life.
CN: As we hit the one-year mark of COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
CW: I’ve been doing alright, I think. LoL. No, but really, the pandemic has obviously been a huge bummer and has been very hard on the music industry, but I have to say, I’ve learned so much not only about my music but about myself through all of this. I’ve learned that I really enjoy my alone time. I’ve also learned that I get extra creative once there is an obstacle in front of me. I think it’s the New York City in me that keeps me pushing through all of this. It’s easy to just make an excuse and stop once the world shut down, but instead I found it thrilling to try new creative ways to share my music. It was wonderful to see how much support I got in the end. So yeah, considering it all, I’m doing pretty well.
CN: You grew up as a self-proclaimed “military brat.” First we would like to extend our gratitude to your family for their service to our Nation. Growing up in the military, you had to move around a lot – how did that affect you personally as far as trying to find a solid ground to set roots, but also in a way of expanding your life experience?
CW: Thank you for the sweet gratitude towards my family. Well, I actually have a song about this question. The song that starts off the new record is called “Settle Me Down.” I grew up always moving around, it’s so hard for me to settle down now later in life. This is what the song is about, so whoever I end up with in the end is just going to have to roll with ME. It’s also about embracing your own true unique story. I used to feel sad about never really having a home and I thought I was missing something. Like an important piece of life. But as I grew older, I started to think my journey was cool and different and now I write songs about it. I now feel like it’s helped me adapt quicker in situations, make friends easier, love touring more and just feel an overall compassion and gratitude for the whole world.
CN: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
CW: My Dad played guitar all the time when I was younger, and I can remember sitting on his bed mesmerized while he played. He’d say “Carrie, write a song to these chords!” There’s actual footage of the first song I wrote with my Dad at six years old called “Teachers.” From then on I was hooked! My dad also played The Beatles ALL the time. I found myself humming their melodies before I even knew I could sing.
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
CW: I’m a huge fan of Bonnie Raitt, Shery Crow and The Chicks. I also love the lyrics and songwriting of Lori McKenna.
CN: Have you taken your experience of growing up in the military for inspiration in your songwriting? Can you take us through your songwriting process?
CW: Yes, for sure! See above story about “Settle Me Down.” I think there’s an overall “Moving” theme in my music. It feels like that’s been the case even when I was writing in bands. Being a military brat truly shaped my personality for better and for worse. Not only do you hear songs on my record about moving on, celebrating freedom, and embracing friendships, but, you also hear songs about heartache and the god honest truth that sometimes life isn’t fair. This all ties to the internal struggle I used to have wondering that if I just had a “Normal” upbringing, then it would all be easier.
I love writing my own story from a very honest place. We all have unique stories to share. It’s sometimes painful but ultimately it is more relatable to the audience and tends to have longevity. I really have to believe in the song before I put it out. I also love to co-write with other song-writers, especially in Nashville. It’s a magical thing when you share a songwriting session with someone and you get a goodie!
CN: You released High Heels & Heavy Things in September last year, and it’s a very personal album. What drove you to writing such an intimate album and was the process of writing and producing cathartic for you?
CW: “High Heels and Heavy Things” is a collection of empowering songs that speak of vulnerability, self-healing, and hope. I recount my struggles with change from an early age, channel ALL the heartbreaks, and share how self-love and giving myself the permission to heal has saved me. I needed to write this record for myself and it turned out to be a gift to the world. I felt like that name best encompassed what the record was all about. The change, the vulnerability, the heartbreak that we all go through as humans. The struggle of trying to appear to have it all together as the weight of the world bears down on us… “I’m walking on high heels holding heavy things.” It’s also about letting go and releasing past baggage to become a better person, which is another theme that threads through many of the songs on the album. Owning up to my mistakes and looking towards a brighter future.
I was lucky enough to have the impeccable – Eric Holljes from Delta Rae produce this record for me. I was one of the simplest records I think I’ve ever recorded because it happened so naturally. We wanted to have all raw acoustic instrumentation and ultimately wanted lyrics and stories to shine.
CN: “Good To Me” is one track in particular that sticks out; it’s about being good to yourself, something that may seem selfish to some but is really very important to one’s own well-being. Can you share the story behind this song?
CW: This song was certainly “Good To Me.” I wrote it with Eric Holljes from the band Delta Rae. I came home from working late at a restaurant that I’d been at for quite some time, exhausted and feeling pretty down from working a job that wasn’t serving me anymore. I wanted to JUST do music. I wrote myself a note on a bar napkin that night that said “I’m Gonna Be Good To Me” and left it on the kitchen table. The next day Eric found it and said, “Let’s write this song!” So we did. I was afraid to write it because I knew I was going to have to get deep with this one and be super vulnerable. I forced myself to be real about how difficult it is to be good to yourself sometimes, and how I would shame myself for not being where I thought I would be by now. But that’s the key – for us all to be kind to ourselves, and to trust you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. More importantly, if we’re good to ourselves then we can be good to other people – and pay it forward. After I wrote “Good To Me,” I took a leap of faith, quit my restaurant job and went on a year tour all over the country. Doors started opening and people started listening. It was exactly what I was supposed to do, and I haven’t looked back since.
CN: Is there a video in the works for this single?
CW: Why, funny you should ask. Yes! I’m finally recording the official video on March 25th, This will soon be released in late April. Watch out for a big video premier release show!
CN: In this era of the pandemic, there have been various new ways that artists have been able to stay in contact with fans. You have a very popular Patreon site that offers a lot of different activities and behind-the-scenes for your fans.
CW: I’m weirdly grateful for 2020 because it forced me out of my comfort zone. I learned how to properly use socials in order to promote my music, connect with fans, and make revenue as an artist. I had actually started my Patreon about three years ago, but it didn’t really start to boom until the pandemic happened. People were looking for ways to support their favorite artists, and so my team and I steered them toward Patreon. I absolutely love it! It holds me accountable to always be doing things, even non-music related activities. As many of my fans know I’m an avid yogi and yoga instructor, and I give away two free Zoom yoga classes to all my patrons each month! I have also hosted “Cocktails with Carrie” with my patrons! We met on zoom, mixed a cocktail together, and had conversations.
Patreon is a subscription-based platform, similar to streaming services like Netflix, but what makes it unique is that you support an artist that you love so they can make more art for YOU. There are different incentives depending on what tier you sign up for, for example, the automatic guest list for a show is one of the top level Patreons. I LOVE and I’m so grateful for them! But even if you subscribe at the lowest level, you still get things like “Patreon Zoom chats”, “Yoga Zoom Classes”, “Cocktails with Carrie”.. and of course you get to hear all the new songs first! I love connecting with my Wellos and this is a platform that allows me to do so on a really personal level. My Patrons (aka my Wellos) have become my friends. Each and every one of them! Some of my favorite memories as an artist have come from getting to know fans and supporters and forming new friendships. That’s why I love the Patreon Zoom Hangs!
This month I am running a special offer on Patreon! Any person who joins patreon at the $5 level and above or if a current patron upgrades to a higher tier they will receive a special homemade one of a kind journal bundle. I love to journal, in fact I journal every morning. It centers me and helps me feel ready for the day. To become a part of my patreon family and receive a one of a kind journal bundle go to patreon.com/carriewelling. I can’t wait to meet you! I love my Wellos!
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
CW: Can I have three? Lol! Bonnie Raitt, Lori McKenna and Chris Martin from ColdPlay.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
CW: A Christian artist named Nicole Nordaman. So good! I went with all my girlfriends.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
CW: Determined! I am a fighter, even when things don’t seem to go my way at first. When the pandemic hit I could have given up and fallen into a hole of despair but I didn’t. I immediately thought, I can’t do live shows in person anymore so I’ll do them online. My team and I set up and planned a virtual show for March 20, 2020 called, “A live Acoustic Evening with Carrie”. I am not gonna lie, I was unsure of what to expect. I worried people wouldn’t show up. I had only done one past virtual show, it was in 2016 and only 13 people showed up. Well, this time, my fans, friends, and family showed up and the show sold out… three times! I am so grateful for all of the support! My Wellos keep me going! Last year I performed a total of 26 virtual shows, each one unique and creatively different. I am determined to keep pushing and to never give up when obstacles may appear to stand in my way.
I am currently planning a virtual writers round in early April! Keep an eye out on my socials for further details in the near future!
CN: You have some dates coming up in 2021 – how excited are you to perform live again! Where can fans find you either at the show or online?
CW: I am so excited to get back on the road and finally perform live in front of people! In May I will be performing in Mexico at a songwriters island event! I also have a bunch of house concerts booked for the summer of 2021. I love doing house concerts so I’m very much looking forward to this. You can see my tour schedule on my socials or go to www.carriewelling.com/tour.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
CW: I’m looking forward to touring and connecting with more of my audience once the world opens up again. I have a full record that I still need to tour on and I plan on writing more and putting another album out hopefully in the beginning of 2022.
For more information on Carrie Welling, visit her website at www.carriewelling.com and www.patreon.com/carriewelling and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.