This week on ACM Artist Spotlight we’ve been speaking with Indie singer/songwriter and ACM student, Joe Carabine, who has just released his latest single, Sweetest Liar! If you didn’t get a chance to see Joe perform at The Boileroom this week, then make sure to catch him at our next event. We learnt about Joe’s music influences, main ACM highlight, and even what his acclaimed autobiography would be called…
1. Tell us about your new track – how did it come about and where did you find your inspiration?
My new track is called ‘Sweetest Liar’. It’s a song about feeling frustrated inside a relationship. I hope that people will relate to this song as it’s almost just crazy, emotional ranting – which I guess we all experience inside our minds from time to time.
https://soundcloud.com/joecarabine/sweetest-liar
2. What was your song writing process behind it?
I wrote this track when I was 14 and it’s been written and re-written so many times now – but it’s great to have finally finished it and have it out there. I’ve been tweaking bits of the writing from when I first wrote it right up until the last session in the studio – just really trying to get every detail right. I’m very happy with how it turned out though.
3. What part are you most proud of?
I’m very proud that my producer, TJ Costis (who also studied at ACM), and I managed to record the whole thing from a garden shed – I think we managed to get a great sound from there. TJ’s amazing and could make anything, anywhere sound really professional.
4. What got you into music?
I remember having lots of live shows on videotape which I used to watch as a kid. I also think my teachers at school helped as luckily they really encouraged students to perform and express themselves.
5. What made you want to study at ACM?
I think ACM is a great place for aspiring musicians from any background and any genre to come and pursue a career. I was encouraged by older friends of mine who had already been and told me that it’s a great place where they really improved drastically.
6. What has been your ACM highlight? Tell us all about it.
So far, my industry link show supporting Bethia at the Boileroom. It was so great to see so many students and tutors from uni come down to watch. The show just confirmed for me that ACM is a great, supportive place where students and tutors really care about supporting their peers. I can’t wait for the next year and a half – I’ve enjoyed everything so far.
7. Describe your sound using only film titles!
My songs all seem to be about feeling lost in some type of way – so maybe ‘Finding Nemo’.
8. Describe ACM using three words.
Energetic, exciting and unique.
9. What would your autobiography be called?
‘Growing Up Joe – A Story from Staines’
10. How has your ACM course benefited your career?
In so many ways. Everything from songwriting to networking to live shows and more. I have had one on one tutorials with some incredible writers who have helped me work on my songs. ACM Industry Link have helped with photoshoots, promotional material and finding me great support slots with other artists that are doing well. I have had one on one meetings with tutors to keep a track of my plan and my progress and on top of this – I’ll have a degree too (hopefully).
11. What song do you wish you had written and why?
I’d probably choose something really different just to shock everybody. Maybe a Bjork tune or something. Perhaps ‘Army of Me’.
12. You get to take three musicians to the Caribbean with you, who are they and why them?
Probably Lorde as she’s just one of those writers and performers that really inspires me every time I listen. Maybe Drake too as he seems to be able to write an album of hits every few months which is pretty impressive. Finally I’d bring TJ along just in case things don’t work so well with Lorde and Drake – so then we could just record a new track.
13. Where do you hope to be after you graduate?
I hope to have released my first E.P which will be 6 tracks that I’ll be releasing throughout this year. I also hope to have played some good festival stages and be on my way to making a career as a recording artist.
14. Where can we listen to your track i.e what platforms?
‘Sweetest Liar’ is out on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon, Google Play and more. There will also be a music video on YouTube.
If you’d like to learn more about how ACM can help you with your music career, why not come along to one of ACM’s Open Days.
