Optimism and deviled eggs—it’s all on display in this singer-songwriter’s material
In the early afternoon at Highland Coffees, Caroline Schaff is all smiles—and with good reason. In under a year, the 22-year-old has become a staple among a group of young musicians who constantly bring crowds to local venues.
Making change at the end of a gig isn’t the only reason why she’s smiling. Playing her brand of folk has a lot to do with it.
“For the most part, I’m a glass-half-full type of person,” she says. “I’m optimistic and sentimental, for sure.”
This LSU creative writing senior gets her love of music from her family. Her mother is a piano teacher, and she says her brother “can pick up any instrument and play like a god.”
It seemed only natural that she’d follow in their footsteps. Her brother bought her an Ovation guitar when she was 14. She started writing songs and posting them to YouTube.
“A lot of my friends have been uncovering these songs I wrote when I was 16 or 17, and I’m like, ‘Please don’t,” she says, laughing.
When she moved from Gramercy to Baton Rouge to attend college, she started writing more mature material. She often sings about the small victories and failures she’s experienced in love. Her favorite song she’s written is “Deviled Eggs.”
“[That song] is about building myself up after tearing myself down for not being able to do certain things,” she says. “I can’t get to work on time, but have you tried my deviled eggs?”
Another favorite is “I’d Date the Hell Out of You,” a song that celebrates the shortcomings in relationships.
“Everyone has flaws,” she says. “The song looks at all these things like breaking your boyfriend’s watch or fixing him a [bad] dinner, but, hey, at least you tried.”
Schaff has more reasons to be happy these days. She’s got a full band now, called See Schaff Run, to help her perform. It seems being the smiling songwriter comes easy.
“Even if I’m writing a really sad song, in the conclusion, I’m like, ‘Things are going to get better,’” she says.
Where to get Caroline Schaff’s music
She is planning on recording this summer with her band, See Schaff Run. Until then, you can check out some of her sounds on her YouTube page at youtube.com/user/singadingding115
Where to see her perform
Schaff will perform April 18 at Birdman Coffee & Books in St. Francisville with See Schaff Run and solo on April 25 at 3rd Street Songwriters Festival in downtown Baton Rouge. She has also performed at Red Star Bar, The Library at Northgate and The Spanish Moon.
