Musicians often concoct necessary tales to capture the attention of the public. Rorey Carroll doesn’t need that – she’s lived it, and carries the story of her life in every line she writes.

Carroll was born in Chicago to a rather normal American family brought up as a typical, middle class kid. This upbringing along with the fascination of alternative culture led her towards the great American love affair, the counterbalance to the American Dream. At a very young age, she lived in her car in cities all around the county, hopped freight trains, she even hiked the entire Appalachian Trail at age 20. She made money playing music to anyone who would listen, from the subways of New York City to the streets of Ohio. She became a living paradox, somewhere between running from the law and running from the normality of a Midwestern suburban lifestyle. The streets broke her down while another world picked her up. Bluegrass, acoustic music, anti-folk, campfires in the heart of the humboldt trim scene, in and out of trouble with the law – she inhaled the great spirit of rock and roll.

Self taught in theory, but in reality the curiosity of characters and songs on the road steered Rorey’s musicianship. She learned how to play from everyone she met. A great many random musicians across the country taught her guitar and helped her find her story. When she moved to East Nashville she met folk legend Todd Snider who took her under his wing and helped her get on stages across the country. He signed her to his label, LoHi Records and put out her record in August.

Her album “Love is an outlaw” is a concept of her experience.

“Love is as aimless as a renegade, breaks every rule you have.“

bio written by Ben Fields

“There is no filter on experience, so why should there be in songwriting. People listen to music because it makes them feel something, a writer’s goal is to relate their experiences with the audience.”—Rorey