Country singer-songwriter Carter Faith released her latest EP, The Aftermath, on October 11, 2024, via Capitol Records Nashville. The EP consists of a five-song tracklist. Carter also just finished supporting Midland on tour. She is currently on tour supporting actor and singer Luke Grimes across the states.
What was the songwriting process like for this project? Were there any experiences or inspirations that helped you shape the narrative that you wanted to convey?
Carter: Backstory, I wrote all these songs probably over a year ago and then we started recording them a year ago. I feel like at this age so much life happens every day, I feel like I'm always changing and it's terrifying. I look at these songs and they feel very far away from me right now. But I think when I break it down to a different level, songs like “Late Bloomer” on this EP, I will always carry that with me. I feel like I get over a feeling and then it smacks me in the face the next day. Like the feeling of being a late bloomer, for example, I felt that all growing up. I'm a petite person, training bra till college vibes. You feel like you get over those feelings and find your confidence and then something else happens like a terrible breakup which is what I went through. It puts you right back at that vulnerable feeling again. I think for me that's what these songs are. Some of these stories in them I'm not going through anymore but feelings I still am. So I hope people find their own stories in them as well.
If you could pick one of your songs to introduce yourself to a crowd of new listeners which one would it be and why?
Carter: I think “Late Bloomer” just cause the type of person I am, I’m not a small taker. I want to hear about your trauma right away. If I’m going to feel that way, I have to give that as well. Like here's the backstory, even the production of that song, it's not strictly country. It's a growing production through the song.
Was there a song on The Aftermath that was especially personal and challenging to write?
Carter: I think “The Aftermath” for sure. It's just the story about a terrible breakup I went through. I'm sure you all get it. It was my first long-term serious committed relationship. That breakup was really hard and it was hard to write about. I wrote the song before we even broke up so that was even more painful. I was already in that headspace, I think a lot of times in a break-up, you kind of know it's coming before it actually ends. That was really hard to write but I’m really proud of it.
What does it feel like putting a new project out there?
Carter: I’m so excited, it feels like a really transitional time in my life. This is the first time I've put out music with a record label. I’m already working on new music. It's kind of a whirlwind of a time. I'm just so excited to have these songs finally out there. Like I said, I wrote these songs over a year and a half ago. I've gotten to live in their world and come to terms with these songs and get hurt by them again and then go back to it again. I'm excited to have the world do that with me.
What are you looking forward to most in 2025?
Carter: I’m so excited to be touring. I've never toured the way I am right now, which is frequently. It's fun to get to play my songs and see who resonates with it and meet them. When you're sitting behind your phone making stupid TikTok videos you're like who's watching this, who even cares? So getting to meet people is really exciting. I'm kind of addicted to touring. I'm actually making a full-length record this week that I’m so, so excited about and it's going to be crazy.
You're touring with Midland, what are some of your favorite memories and takeaways?
Carter: I am having the best time. The first weekend, my mom actually came on tour with us. We've been having a lot of family health scares and so she got to come and not think about that and just be on the road with me. That was so fun being able to experience touring with my mom, it was so sweet. Definitely, we're doing different things than I would be if I didn't have my mom there. Last week, everyone on my team came and it was just so special. I'm getting to hang out with other people who love music and touring. It's really cool. Again, getting to go in the crowd and watch the show and have people come up to me and saying they listen to my music has been so unreal to me.
Do you have any pre or post-show rituals?
Carter: Pre-show I love to burn Paolo Santo all over the room because there is some weird energy in every venue and I usually drink a glass of wine. Then, after the show I definitely smoke weed. That’s my routine.
What are you the proudest about when it comes to this project?
Carter: I think I'm the proudest of the way I put my true honest feelings into words. I've gone through a lot in life since these songs and in these songs are a lot of life, tough times and exciting times. I think I'm really proud of how I strung them together and just the honesty. Maybe in real life, I'm less honest? I don't know, but I'm always really proud of the honesty and vulnerability I can put in my music because that feels like an accomplishment to me. It's something that is hard to do for me and just talking about such a painful time in my life in a way people might not hear it that way but they will still feel their life stories in them. That’s what I'm proud of most.