Interview: Caitlin Rose

Lucy Wright tries to get Caitlin Rose to expand on her career so far and her desires for the future:

How would you describe your sound? Your album Own Side Now has had some great reviews so far…

I'm apprehensive about describing my own sound. If no one's buying it then I'm not selling.

You've been touted as ‘the future of country music.’ Do you feel pressure to live up to the hype?

No, because I've never claimed to be that.

How do you think being from Nashville- a city with a huge musical

tradition- influences or affects your work, if at all?

By living in Nashville I've set a higher standard for myself with what's considered a talented musician, aside from myself. Everyone worth hearing here is shit-hot. They have a lot to live up to.

Both your parents are in the music industry. Was it inevitable you would follow them into it?

My mother didn't start her career as a songwriter until she was in her early 40's and my father is involved with a side of the business I'd never be able to break into. What made it inevitable was my distaste for higher learning.

So, when did you begin songwriting?

I was 16 when I wrote my first song on guitar.

And where do you get the inspiration for your songs?

Dudes.

You used to be known professionally as ‘Save Macauley’. What prompted the name change?

Save Macaulay started a joke, so I guess that means my prompt was a lack of humor. I've never been professional about anything.

You’ve said you loved punk before you discovered country, so if you had to narrow it down, who would you say is your biggest musical influence?

Bob Dylan and the Big Bopper.

Country music is huge in the US, but less popular in Europe. Do you think there’s potential for it’s poplarity to grow here?

I don't know. I'm not a huge fan of popular contemporary country music in the US. If you like Taylor Swift, then I guess yah. If not, then no.

Finally, you’re known for your love of cigarettes, to the extent that you sing about them! Do you ever worry younger fans may copy your habit?

'Shanghai Cigarettes' isn't about how much I love smoking. 'Answer in One of These Bottles' isn't about how much I love drinking. Songs aren't about just one thing. That's why we have metaphors.