Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist, Carina Allen aka rlyblonde is back with her new single Dumb Blonde. And just like that a new chapter begins. This time around she’s joined on this new adventure with producer and multi-instrumentalist Robbie Guariglia (The Veronicas, Oh Honey, Native Sun).
It says something about rlyblonde that she’s prepared to continue and evolve as an artist. Seeking out new challenges is what she does best. And with her much-anticipated new release stirring up interest, I reached out to Carina to chat about all the success and craziness of the past twelve months (or so) but more importantly her biting new single. Here is some of what we talked about.
Carina, how have you been since we last spoke? It’s fair to say last year was a big transitional year for you, in which you released no less than five singles, showcasing your desire to put music front and centre as your creative outlet.
Hi! I’ve been good, it has indeed been a very challenging but exciting transitional year. I daydreamed for so long about putting out music that I failed to imagine what would actually happen once the music was out, ha. It’s like, oh right. I never fail to stay busy, my life is a large machine that has many moving parts and functions. But overall I’m good, I’m happy to have “Dumb Blonde” out in the world and really excited for what we have coming.
I imagine you clearly enjoy being part of the New York music scene, whether it’s as a videographer for NYC’s favourite music acts or as a musician yourself. Can you tell us something about it that you love? And why?
I think I’ve fallen in love with the music scene here a few times over the years and in many ways… I remember working with a few specific artists across 2018, 2019, 2020, that really got me excited to shoot. Sometimes you naturally have a really great creative vibe with someone, and when you also believe in the art they are making, it starts to feel like something really special is happening. I saw the passion behind all these artists and it was really inspiring.
Then, in 2021 when live music started up again, I fell in love with live shows, shooting concerts, and just exploring the music scene here in that way. I already knew then I wanted to make my own music, but experiencing so many artists live really hammered it in for me. Nothing beats the energy of a live show, and I wanted to feel that for myself.
But overall, the sense of opportunity and community is what makes the music scene here really unique. If you put yourself in the right room you can meet a lot of people, make connections really easily. There’s room for everyone, and you get to figure out where you want to be. People come out and support each other. It’s really what you make of it.
You have a biting new single called Dumb Blonde. As always I’m thrilled to hear all the elements that make you so interesting as an artist. What is the inspiration behind the new single?
The song really sums up how I felt after the whirlwind of last year. All these big changes in my life were happening, and I was so busy working on everything behind the scenes, that one day I finally woke up and realized I’d actually done it! A lot of these things I’d wanted and dreamed of for so long, prayed for, written songs about (“My Way”) etc., it was finally a reality and I was almost baffled by all of it. I was like there’s no way it’s this easy… there has got to be a catch. But in reality it WASN’T easy, it was years of prep and time and labor and love. It’s all about perspective in the end, I think.
Musically I knew I wanted to go in a bit of a new direction with this song and upcoming project. I wanted to lean a little more indie-rock while still maintaining a consistent sound and personality. I wanted it to have that New York kind of DIY sound while also still being something that could play on the radio.
Would you say it is your most personal song that you’ve written?
It sounds silly because a lot of my songs are quite humorous, but they really are all quite personal to me! If you asked me last year I’d say “My Way” or “Girl in Your Story” because on paper they are the most vulnerable. I kind of put my guard down a little and you get a bit of my soft side. But “Dumb Blonde” to me really represents a larger shift in myself, my music, my confidence, my self-awareness, etc. It might not seem vulnerable on the outside but to me this song is very, very personal. It’s my real fears and anxieties about stepping into a new chapter of my life that I maybe don’t feel totally prepared for.
You worked with New York musician, songwriter and producer Rob “Robbie G” Guariglia on your new single. I’m familiar with him via his work with Australia’s pop duo The Veronicas. How did you two approach the creative process? How did he help shape your sound? What was something surprising about Robbie G that you found?
Robbie and I have been working together since November 2023, and we’ve really approached this new project as a collaboration. I’ve brought in rough demos and then we’ve taken a lot of time to pull references that fit the sound, fuck around, try stuff, change stuff, etc. He’s done a really great job of understanding the core of what I want the music to sound like and honoring that, while still having an incredible ear for what makes a song radio-worthy. I’ve learned a lot just from sitting side by side with him every week and I’m really grateful for the working relationship we’ve fostered. If anything I’m surprised at how smooth it’s been, and just how well we work together. Each time we work on a new track we’re like… “Wait… this is really good right? This is really good.” He has really figured out how to bring my songs to life.
Carina, a bright spot in the promotion of your songs is always your music videos. I imagine the self directed music video for Dumb Blonde was a lot of fun?
Yes! The “Dumb Blonde” video just came out on Friday. Of course I directed, produced, and edited it, along with all the efforts of my amazing crew. My DP Zach and I came up with the concept together. This is probably one of our most narrative-based videos and we had so much fun shooting it. So many fun props for this one, and also small easter eggs for true rlyblonde stans if there are any. Outfits from old videos, small winks at the audience. I am having so much fun building up the visual world of rlyblonde and seeing where her world and our world overlap. I think “rlyblonde” is slowly becoming larger than me, and it’s fun to explore the line between fantasy and reality.
What expectations do you prioritize in order to effectively navigate the creative demands you place on yourself?
Balance is a huge challenge in my life and it’s a constant work in progress. A lot of this year has just been about staying healthy and rested so I can show up for everything I need to show up for. At the same time, I’m prioritizing my music in a way I never have before. Having commitments made to my team- my producer, my manager, etc. helps me prioritize this part of my career and art in a way that keeps me accountable. It’s not easy, but it’s what I love, so I am plowing ahead. I’m always going to be a perfectionist and especially when I’m putting so much time and money into something, it’s hard for me to half-ass anything, but my team keeps me grounded. I trust my manager Heather a lot to lead me in the right direction, be real with me about what’s worth investing in, and keep me on a calendar. My DP keeps me in check with what’s reasonable and what’s not, how we can best maximize our time and budgets etc. When I say it’s a machine I’m not joking. I also run a full other photography business in order to keep this part of my life alive, so I’m constantly juggling multiple to-do lists and wearing many hats. A lot of the time I’m just going one day at a time, and doing my best that day.
Finally, following the release of this single, will you be gearing up to release another EP this year? What can you tell us about this collection of songs?
Yes we have a new EP in the works… she’s called ‘Star of the Show’ and I am so beyond excited to have her out in the world! She’s kind of like ‘Fantasy’ 2.0. ‘Fantasy’ was very much my aspirations, my dreams, my inner world. ‘Star of the Show’ is kind of the result of that inner world finally crossing over into reality. “Dumb Blonde” feels like she emulates these themes in a way as well, describing the squeeze of pushing yourself into something bigger, into a larger dream, into the spotlight. She’s more confident, she’s having more fun, she’s the Star of the Show.
Rearview Mirror 
Wild video. So dark and also funny. Wow.