Tag: Lauren Johnson

Higher Purpose — Carolyn Striho Celebrates Empowerment and Connection on “I Will Rise” Single

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Carolyn Striho shares messages of hope and strength on “I Will Rise.” Photo – Chelsea Whitaker Photography

Carolyn Striho wants to help people rise to the occasion.

The Detroit singer-songwriter captures that empowering sentiment on her latest rock single, “I Will Rise.”

“I wrote ‘I Will Rise’ after the 2017 Women’s March to invoke hope, especially after having had breast cancer, but to connect with all people,” Striho said.

“With so much competition and anger among people, it focuses on love and survival. It also shares messages of hope and strength and encourages people to come together.”

Surrounded by determined piano, acoustic guitar, synth, bass, and drums, Striho sings, “I will rise, my friends, and be alive / We will rise through the pain in our disguise / Smiling instead of crying / It’s so hard we’re trying / Every day is counting time.”

“People would hear it and they liked it. You could see it as a political song or a song about breast cancer and women, but I realized it could be for anybody,” she said.

“I start out by singing, ‘I will rise, my sisters,’ and then I change it to more of a universal reference with the lyric, ‘I will rise, my friends.’”

Continue reading “Higher Purpose — Carolyn Striho Celebrates Empowerment and Connection on “I Will Rise” Single” →

Magic Wand – Carolyn Striho Recaptures Stirring Emotions on ‘Blue Ridiculous Love’ Single

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Carolyn Striho features poetic lyrics and heartfelt rock instrumentation on “Blue Ridiculous Love.”

Carolyn Striho cherishes the magical moments in life.

In those fleeting moments, the Detroit singer-songwriter feels grateful and inspired while spending time with others.

However, that magic often dissipates as people move on or pass away, but the love and appreciation from those interactions remain with Striho.

She beautifully shares that sentiment and a longing to recapture it in her new single, “Blue Ridiculous Love,” which features poetic lyrics and heartfelt rock instrumentation.

“I saw this song more as a painting, and with a painting, you’re interpreting it your way,” said Striho, who co-wrote the track with husband-guitarist Scott Dailey. “I’m talking about the ‘green grass of gold dirt,’ and it reminds me of one of the Beatnik poets, and you get these images.”

Surrounded by eager acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and drums, Striho sings, “I had this magic / It’s right on my side / Then everybody took a ride / The evening shadows / The tiny voice in my head / Starts talking louder / It’s an evil eye.”

“It’s a romantic song with an angst about the future and missing people, but it’s also about how falling in love can feel ridiculous,” she said.

”The lyric, ‘Everybody took a ride,’ could mean different things: They just left your life or they could have died. I had this magic, and I thought, ‘Wait, where did everybody go?’ It prompts you to look back and say, ‘Wait a minute, those people are gone.’”

Continue reading “Magic Wand – Carolyn Striho Recaptures Stirring Emotions on ‘Blue Ridiculous Love’ Single” →

Life is a Highway – Carolyn Striho and Scott Dailey Overcome Obstacles in Their Path on ‘14 Miles of Bad Road’ Single

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Carolyn Striho and Scott Dailey focus on the journey ahead on their latest single.

For Carolyn Striho, the road of life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

But those challenges don’t prevent the Detroit singer-songwriter from moving forward.

That perseverance fuels some of the inspiration behind her latest blues-rock single, “14 Miles of Bad Road,” with husband/guitarist Scott Dailey.

“If you say you’ve been on 14 miles of bad road, it sounds far. When I wrote it, I was thinking more of being up north with roads all over the place,” Striho said. “When you think about it, it could be anywhere—a city or a town.”

Determined to reach their next destination, she sings alongside propulsive electric guitar, bass, organ, and drums, “I wish all the world could see you and me again / I wish all the world could feel like a friend again / I wish all the world could be like a kid again / I wish all the world … / I tried, my friend / You lied again / I tried again / You lied …”

“Scott came up with the lyrics, ‘I tried, my friend / You lied again,’ and it makes sense, meaning, ‘You thought there was a rosy picture of life, and when you’re young, everything seems so good,’” said Striho, who shares counterpoint vocals with Dailey on the track’s chorus.

“You also might think someone’s going to swoop in and make everything better if life’s not going well. That doesn’t always happen, though.”

Continue reading “Life is a Highway – Carolyn Striho and Scott Dailey Overcome Obstacles in Their Path on ‘14 Miles of Bad Road’ Single” →