Summary Caitlin Cary joins us for a thoughtful and downright inspiring chat about her creative evolution, from the indie rock trenches to the calm, tactile world of fabric collage art, which she affectionately calls her “needle prints.” We dig into how this shift has opened up new ways for her to express herself, offering both artistic freedom and a healthy bit of distance from the grind of life on stage. Caitlin also gets reflective about her roots in Raleigh, North Carolina, the places, people, and memories that shaped her, and how the city’s constant transformation nudged her to start preserving its essence through her artwork. Of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation among musicians without a few good laughs: we revisit her whirlwind years as co-founder of Whiskeytown alongside Ryan Adams, swap stories about the unpredictable charm of dive-bar gigs and bartending shifts, and touch on what it means to keep creating, no matter the medium. So, pour yourself something good, settle in, and join us as we explore the crossroads of music and visual art with Caitlin Cary. She’s full of sharp insight, warmth, and a few recommendations you won’t want to miss. Bio Chapters 00:15 - The Shift in Artistic Expression02:55 - Transitioning from Art to Music04:14 - The Journey into Music and Art06:32 - Navigating the Craft Cocktail World08:38 - The Excitement of Music Recommendations Show Notes In this episode of Dive Bar Music Club, we sit down with Caitlin Cary, a former touring musician turned visual artist, for a heartfelt conversation about her journey from the indie music scene to creating stunning fabric collage art, which she calls "needle prints." Caitlin opens up about how she made the transition away from music and found solace in a new form of artistic expression. We explore the personal connection she has to her hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, and how the ever-changing landscape of the city inspired her to start documenting its most beloved landmarks through her art. Caitlin shares how this shift in focus has given her the creative distance she needed while still maintaining a fulfilling artistic career. From her early days as a classically trained violinist to her unexpected entry into the world of indie rock with Whiskeytown, Caitlin's journey into music was as unpredictable as it was transformative. She reflects on the chaotic, yet rewarding years spent in the music industry, the quirks of dive bars, and what it means to live the life of a working musician. We also talk about the humble, yet vital, venues that played a huge role in her life, both as a performer and a bartender, including Raleigh's own Humble Pie and The Pour House Music Hall. And of course, we discuss Caitlin's recent achievements, including having her artwork featured in the North Carolina Museum of Art, a long-awaited dream come true. Listen in for: Caitlin's transition from music to visual artThe inspiration behind her "needle prints" and how they connect to her rootsStories from her time touring with Ryan Adams and bartending in dive barsThe challenge of navigating the modern craft cocktail scene as a non-drinkerHer thoughts on how music, art, and community intertwine Where to Find Caitlin: Note: If you’re searching for her past music, be wary of some...colorful results when you Google "Tres Chicas." Subscribe, Rate & Review: If you’re loving the conversation, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. And as always, share your favorite episodes with friends who appreciate good music, good art, and great conversation. Dive Bar Music Club is your low-key, high-taste happy hour for music nerds. See you next time! Takeaways Caitlin Cary's transition from music to visual art highlights the dynamic nature of creativity; it's all about finding what resonates with your soul.The concept of needleprints serves as a fascinating analogy for the artistic process, marrying personal history with tangible expression in fabric.The Dive Bar Music Club fosters a unique community for indie music lovers, inviting deep discussions and connections over shared passions.Caitlin's experiences in venues like Poorhouse Music Hall illustrate the importance of local music scenes in shaping both artists and audiences alike.Ryan Adams' serendipitous invitation to Caitlin (who then co-founded Whiskeytown) underscores the unpredictable paths that often lead to fulfilling artistic careers in music.Caitlin's reflections on homesickness and change resonate deeply, reminding us that art often emerges from the need to document and preserve our personal histories. Links caitlincary.comGet to know some of our other Regulars Mentioned in This Episode Tres ChicasHumble PiePour House Music HallNC StateNorth Carolina Art Museum indie music podcast, music nerd podcast, underground music podcast, music roundtable podcast, best new indie bands, independent music podcast, music discovery podcast, alternative music podcast, podcast for music lovers, dive bar music podcast, low key music podcast, deep cut music discussion, music tastemakers podcast, music festival discoveries, music zine culture, DIY music scene, touring musician stories, hidden gem bands, vinyl collector podcast, music conversations podcast, , podcast about music, independent music discussion, visual artist interviews, Caitlin Cary podcast, creativity and music, fabric collage art, music industry insights, indie music scene, musicians transitioning to art, music venues Raleigh, Dive Bar Music Club, retired musicians, exploring creativity, art and music connection, music recommendations podcast, storytelling in music, fabric art techniques, crafting and music, touring musician experiences, music community discussions Transcript Speaker A 00:00:02.400 - 00:00:33.850 Well, mostly unenvious quitter. Of course. I haven't quit creativity, but I certainly have. For the most part, or at least for now, I've quit music. I found an art form that is not made out of my body and out of my soul. Somehow, like there's this super comforting remove between what I am and what I make that is like, I'm so happy. Speaker B 00:00:35.130 - 00:01:19.030 Welcome to Dive Bar Music Club, the low key, high taste happy hour for music nerds. Each week we're joined by a rotating cast of regulars, people who live and breathe independent music. This week, we're introducing you to Caitlin Carey, a happily retired touring musician and celebrated visual artist. Carrie spent years in the trenches of the indie scene, and now she'll be bringing a lot of that real world music knowledge to our barstool roundtable. Part hang, part deep dive. It's Dive Bar Music Club. Grab your drink, pull up a chair, and let's dive in with Caitlin Carey on this episode of Dive Bar Music Club. Caitlin, you've been doing some beautiful creative work lately that's kind of taken you away from music. What have you been up to? Speaker A 00:01:19.580 - 00:01:47.840 Yeah. Thank you. For about the past decade, I've been making fabric collage. I made up a name for it because the words weren't really there. But I call it needle print. And basically it's sort of a friend of quilting. But I sew fabric onto canvas
