Florida-born, Los Angeles-based indie pop artist Caroline Kingsbury arrived at Lollapalooza with the energy of someone who’s not just playing a festival – she’s making a statement. Amid a robust schedule of seven back-to-back interviews, Kingsbury’s day was packed, yet her enthusiasm was unstoppable. Between catching up on artists she admires and preparing for her next move, she was eager to discuss everything from her latest EP to her vision for queer representation in music.
“I have seven interviews in a row,” Caroline mentioned with a smile, grabbing a quick sip of water before settling in. “And already had four or five this morning,” she continued, unfazed. “But I’m taking advantage of this, honey. Let’s do them all; let’s go!”
Her excitement was infectious, even during a marathon media day. Kingsbury was looking forward to catching performances by Doechii and MARINA later, highlighting her friend Debbie Neigher, who plays keys in MARINA’s band. “Debbie is a great musician; she makes her own music too! She goes by Lapel [on Instagram],” she clarified, searching her phone for the social media handle to ensure it was correct.
Caroline has just marked a major milestone with her Lollapalooza debut, taking the BMI Stage and the Toyota Music Den by storm. “Mind blown! Literally,” she exclaimed when asked about her feelings performing at such an iconic festival for the first time. This debut was a culmination of the momentum that propelled her breakout in 2024 – a year marked by viral hits like “Kissing Someone Else” (produced with Matt Bishop) and the glam-pop anthem “Give Me A Sign,” co-created with MARIS, which earned over a million streams in its first month and landed on Spotify’s Global New Music Friday playlist. Additionally, her cinematic breakup ballad “Blurry Now” was featured in one of Netflix’s top series, Forever, this past spring.
Regarding preparation, Caroline’s live performances continue to showcase her dynamic range. “It depends on my mood,” she explained when asked about crafting a setlist. Among her current favorites to perform are “Alabama” and “Chocolate,” the latter having made its live debut at the festival. And of course, there’s “Kissing Someone Else,” the crowd-pleaser that helped send her streaming numbers skyrocketing. “I love it because it gets the crowd hyped and you know, singing along, ” she shared. Her new track “Chocolate,” along with the title song “Shock Treatment,” are previews from her upcoming EP, Shock Treatment, slated for release this September.
The EP will be a vivid, synth-laden exploration of Kingsbury’s journey from a conservative southern upbringing to embracing her queer identity in Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from the 1981 cult musical comedy Shock Treatment, a provocative follow-up to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the project challenges societal expectations, envisioning a world where queerness is celebrated. “I’m trying to create a fantasy, or at least another level of my own story… honestly, to process things in a way,” Caroline explained, describing the EP’s blend of indie pop rock and shimmering synths that channels her favorite genre: ’80s new wave.
Looking ahead, Caroline is preparing for an ambitious co-headlining tour with MARIS, titled MARIS x Caroline Kingsbury – Give Me a Tour!. The show promises to be more than just a concert – it’s a theatrical experience. “We have a storyline: I’m an alien who got her heart broken on another planet, and MARIS is an astronaut who also got her heart broken. We meet in a spaceship bar, and that’s how we end here up at the show,” Caroline explained. The two-hour performance will weave together their sets with numerous collaborative moments, creating a unique narrative in intimate venues across the US and Canada this fall.
When asked about festival plans beyond her performances, Caroline’s eyes lit up as she shared a list of artists. “I wanna see Doechii, MARINA, Clairo, Young Miko, Sabrina… queer music is so refined right now. Young Miko, that’s a fucking artist. Doechii, that’s a fucking artist. Chappell, that’s a fucking artist. I think our queerness plays into that because we’ve had to overcome so much just to exist as our true selves. And I don’t know… I’ve been talking a lot about queer music today because I think it’s important.” Her passion for representation also serves as a call to action: “Last year was such a huge year for queer music and queer musicians. This year feels a little darker because of everything going on. I think we need more queer people playing music. So, if you’re a queer person, play music. Let’s go! Trans person, play music. Show up! Let’s bring music and energy to this dark time.”
From the festival’s bustling crowd to the smaller venues of her upcoming co-headlining tour, Kingsbury’s journey is more than about music – it’s an invitation to celebrate identity, fantasy, and the power of storytelling through pop. As the interview wrapped up, her excitement for what lies ahead was palpable. With Shock Treatment arriving in September, a major tour on the horizon, and a commitment to celebrating queer joy through bold self-expression, Caroline Kingsbury is emerging as a vital voice in the scene – one dazzling synth hook at a time.
Portraits and Polaroids by Ann Storlie
Interview by Ann Storlie and Sarah Peter
Keep Up With Caroline Kingsbury: Website // Instagram // TikTok // YouTube
