Cara Cantarella

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Acoustic folk-rock artist Cara Cantarella may have always had a calling. But it really hit home when she learned that her name can be literally translated as “beloved singer.” In Italian, the word cantare means “to sing,” and cara means “dear” or “beloved.” Call it coincidence or great cosmic planning, but this artist definitely lives up to her name.
Inspired by folk goddess Joni Mitchell and contemporary acoustic artists such as Sarah MacLachlan and The Indigo Girls, Cara’s music is introspective and soulful, full of passion and heart. But there’s also a little rocker in there, too, which you can hear in edgier songs that fans have compared to Ani DiFranco and Alanis Morissette.
Cara’s debut release, Beautiful Heart, combines both influences for an intimate folk-rock journey into our emotional depths and back again.
The tracks on Beautiful Heart capture the complete mystery of connection. "Clear Line" addresses the frustration we feel at the beginning of a relationship, when we’re not sure if it’s just our imagination or if romance is really evolving. "Wilma Like a Maniac" speaks to the raw and bluntly honest chaos that can come after a night of intense lovemaking. Sometimes, all that’s left is the truth of the moment: “I’m hungry, and I need a change of clothes . . . . yeah, well I guess that’s how it goes . . . .”
"Wild Horses" honors the vulnerability of new-found love and urges the listener to take the risk of uncertain beginnings. Here, we get the simple and forthright message that sometimes love, even with all of its imperfections, is just too good to pass up.
The songs that make up Beautiful Heart are a testament to self-discovery. Their message is about honoring what makes us unique as individuals. "I Grew Up," for instance, takes us back to our childhood experiences of confusion and anger. Its story charts a path for finding acceptance in our own skins:
“I remember when it finally hit me that I could be there
if I stopped moving . . . so I did.
Yeah, I did, and I’ve never known it better
there isn’t a fool-proof way
but once you’re aware that you’re somewhere,
at least you stop running away.”
Beautiful Heart is ultimately about what strengthens us in our relationships with others. True connection first requires a centered sense of who we are. To that end, this CD has a clear mission: it helps bring us to the safety and comfort that we all carry with us if we only stand still long enough to touch into it.