Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Caroline Reilly and Jake HaldenVang listen to the coaches’ feedback following their battle round match on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

At just 16, Caroline Reilly snagged the final spot on The Voice Season 17 with an impressive cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love.”

Her time on the show ended in a battle round match with fellow rocker Jake HaldenVang that aired this week.

Coach Gwen Stefani had them perform Pink’s “Just Like a Pill” and praised Caroline’s performance, but decided to advance Jake to the knockout round.

Now Caroline’s already planning a post-show single. In her case, it would also be a debut single.

Here’s what she told Voice Views about that and her time on the show.

Voice Views: What do you consider your biggest takeaway / lesson learned from The Voice experience?

Caroline: I took so much away from this experience. I had the awesome opportunity to work with artists who have been in the music industry for quite some time. While I initially saw this as a disadvantage for me, being 16, it was actually an amazing opportunity for growth.

I learned a lot about what goes into creating such an amazing show like The Voice. I got to work with so many talented people and will forever be thankful for the friendships formed and lessons learned. I had not had any experience with interviews and television, but feel like I now have a good base knowledge of what goes into it.

Voice Views: The battles were filmed over the summer. What have you been doing musically since then and where are you hoping The Voice experience leads?

Caroline: Since the summer, I have continued to perform in a duo with my partner, Tommy Marcus. We book gigs in the Atlanta area and have enjoyed doing this for almost two years now. I am also writing music and continue to take voice, guitar and recording lessons at my parents music studio, Freedom Academy of Music Education in Cumming, Ga.

The Voice experience helped me gain more confidence in the path I have chosen. The coaches advice helped me to realize that I need to focus on connecting with the music I perform rather than focusing on whether or not each and every note is perfect. If I’m not connected to the music then neither is the audience.

Voice Views: Do you plan to release new music anytime soon? If so, can you tell me about that — what you’re planning, what fans can expert in terms of sound and the timetable for doing?

Caroline: I am releasing my first original before the end of the year!! I am super excited about it. I would classify it as having more of a pop vibe. It was what I was feeling at the time and I am proud of it. I have written some additional music, which will be released some time in 2020.

Voice Views: Is there anything else you’d like to add about The Voice experience?

Caroline: This was an amazing opportunity for which I will always be grateful. The Voice is a fantastic show and I am honored, at age 16, to have been part of it.

See also …
Meet Caroline Reilly
Caroline Reilly talks about The Voice and her blind audition