Cari Cari - Real is the Only Way Out

The Austrian duo returns to Italy with two shows and an exclusive CZMOS interview on connection, truth, and creative freedom. There’s something real about Cari Cari — a band that turned connection into a creative force.

Formed by Stephanie Widmer (vocals, drums, didgeridoo) and Alexander Koeck (vocals, guitar), the duo returns to Italy for two dates:

📍Nov 14 — Covo Club, Bologna

📍Nov 15 — Arci Bellezza, Milan

Bringing One More Trip Around the Sun, a record that explores self-discovery and emotional honesty.

CARI CARI - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR CZMOS

1 — The press release talks about “creating your own world.” What’s the most invisible (but fundamental) element of your world that the public doesn’t notice, but without which the Cari Cari universe wouldn’t exist?

I think the most important invisible element of our world is our connection – the connection between everyone who works on Cari Cari, including our family. We made this connection visible with this album, because we put our family and closest friends on the cover, and everyone there helped out. We probably don’t always work in the most efficient or cost-effective way, but we do it out of love for music and for this band. You can only spend hours and hours working on a project like this if you’re surrounded by people who share your goal and vision and enjoy what you’re doing. I think that’s fundamental to what we do.

2 — “One More Trip Around the Sun” is a journey that seeks territories not yet mapped. What is the sonic or emotional limit you are afraid of crossing… but know you will have to face at some point?

We’ve always struggled with sharing personal things in song lyrics. It can make you feel really vulnerable to share deeply personal things, but I think we’ve found a way to hide that a little bit. Still, I sometimes feel like we could be more honest and dig even deeper. I’d like to take the time to really go deep and cross that threshold of really personal things, because the more real you get, the more you tap into your real emotions, problems and struggles. Otherwise, you’re just putting on an act, and chances are other people won’t be able to relate to that.

3 — You’ve been called the “illegitimate child” of several artists. What influence isn’t obvious—but has shaped you the most? Even outside music?

For me, it would have to be Justice, the French electronic duo. I don’t think it’s obvious in regard to Cari Cari. I discovered them when I was 15 or 16. Before that, I was really into rock and metal, but they completely changed my approach to music, production and visuals. They had a very strong visual identity during their live shows, on their records, and in their music videos. I think that has influenced me a lot, even though our music is completely different. It has made me view the whole project in the same way.

4 — Imagine someone leaving one of your two Italian shows (Bologna or Milan) and saying just one sentence to describe your performance. What’s that sentence you’d like to hear?

Real.

A universe expanding through sound, emotion, and truth — Cari Cari keep reminding us that being real is the most radical form of freedom today.