Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Caroline Reilly interacts with the coaches following her blind audition on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

She was referring to the fact that she wanted to round out her team with a young female artist.

But Caroline, 16, from Cumming, Ga., would likely echo her sentiment.

After all, she wanted to become a member of Team Gwen. And she did it in pretty memorable fashion, by snagging the very last spot on Season 17 with a rousing rendition of Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 hit “Somebody to Love.”

Here’s what Caroline told Voice Views about her blind audition experience.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do so, especially as such a young age?

Caroline: I have been watching the show for quite awhile now and never thought I was quite ready due to my age. I finally decided to take a chance and audition. I definitely still feel like this is a dream. I can’t believe it!!

Voice Views: Why did you choose “Somebody to Love” for your audition song? Did you consider it a risk to perform a that classic? And is that a song you’ve performed often?

Caroline: This was the first song that I performed on stage with a band. I feel an attachment to it because of that. I also have all the respect in the world for women like Grace Slick, who are frontwomen in a band. That’s exactly where I would like to be one day.

I did feel that I took a risk with it. Would kids my age like it? Would the older generation accept it? These are questions I had to consider. In the end, it’s me, and I want to inspire other women to “do you.” Ask those questions but always stay true to yourself and your sound.

Voice Views: Did you have a coaching preference heading into the blind audition, and how did you feel about landing on Team Gwen? Did you have any idea there was just one spot remaining? And, if so, did that change your approach to the performance at all?

Caroline: I was Team Gwen all the way before going into auditions. I had no clue that there was only one spot left, but I did know it was getting down to the end. I decided before going on that stage that this is my moment. This is my chance to do something I love and share it with the world.

Voice Views: In your bio package, you mentioned being part of a duo. Can you tell me a little about that, including who your partner is and whether the duo is still active?

Caroline: I am part of a duo with my music partner, Tommy Marcus. We have been in this partnership for almost two years now. It’s awesome to have somebody like Tommy up there with me when performing. He is a great all-around musician and I am thankful for our partnership. He is 16 as well, so that is really cool too.

Voice Views: Do you have original music and/or any plans to release original music? If so, what can you tell me about that? How would you describe your sound?

Caroline: Yes!!! I am planning to release my first single later this year and I am so excited about it. It’s a little different from the classic rock and 90’s rock that I usually perform. I would say it’s got more of a mainstream feel to it but it’s what I was feeling when I wrote it.

See also …
More about Caroline Reilly and her music