10 Questions with Carol Ades
With “Hope Is a Scary Thing” surpassing two million streams following its Off Campus feature, Carol Ades is reaching new audiences with some of her most personal music to date. We caught up with Carol to reflect on her The Voice days, the five years since Through, the fan letters she holds onto, and the new music she's working on.
By: Spencyr Aronson
October 21st, 2026
Sounds by Spencyr: Hey Carol! Thanks for sitting down with me today to chat.
"Hope Is a Scary Thing" has surpassed two million streams since its feature in the hit Amazon TV series Off Campus! Congratulations. You've talked a lot about how much television means to you. What has it felt like to watch your song become part of other people's stories and see that outpouring of love come back to it?
Carol Ades: Of course! It feels amazing. Literally fucking awesome. It's so affirming. It just feels like people needed to hear it. And I love TV so much. I watch a disgusting amount of TV.
What are you watching right now?
CA: I'm watching Widow's Bay right now, but it's really scary. Everyone said it's a comedy, and it is funny, but it's a horror comedy and I'm terrified.
Your first project, Through, is coming up on its five-year anniversary on [October] 29th. Does it feel like it was yesterday when you released the EP, or is it more of a distant memory?
CA: It's so funny you bring that up, because I got one of those TikTok "on this day" memories from around that time yesterday! It's so easy to feel like progress is happening super slowly. But seeing that video, I was like, oh my god, I'm such a different person. It feels like forever ago.
I look different, I carry myself differently, my music is different. When I think about it, I feel like I've grown so much, and you can really see it in the way I carry myself. I was like a zombie then. You can feel how scared that person was on the inside. I can only tell the difference now because I'm just so much less scared than I've ever been. Five years is not a lot of time when you're an adult, but wow!
Speaking of the passage of time, you got your start on The Voice, and now you have a song in a major Amazon series. Both are huge television moments, but they represent totally different versions of you. How do you feel about that 16 or 17-year-old girl on The Voice, looking back?
CA: Honestly, I was the most confident version of myself when I was 16 or 17 doing The Voice, because I just didn't know anything. I was so oblivious, like, "Oh, this is a cool adventure, let's try it."
Now I've lived longer, and with that comes bigger dreams, more disappointment and more self-awareness. I miss that girl a lot, but I don't miss her haircut. Though actually, the only time I had bangs was on The Voice, and now I have them again. So maybe I haven't changed at all. Except I used to sing in cursive, and I'm really glad I stopped that.
It's such a complicated feeling, specifically that age. I have so much love for her. It was so brave of me to do that [go on The Voice], and it's so cool to remember it that way. I pull from that [experience] now and think, okay, I can do hard things. I literally went on national television while going through puberty. I can do fucking anything.
"Worst Person in the World" explores the stories we tell ourselves when we have distorted self-perception. Is there a specific song that began with a thought you genuinely believed but no longer holds true?
CA: I think "Worst Person in the World" is probably that, in a really literal sense. During that time, I really did feel like that, and I don't anymore.
Another one is "I Can't Wait to Be British." I definitely don't feel all of those things anymore either. Well, actually, I do still want to be British. No, never mind. I lied.
You wrapped The Worst Person in the World Tour in May and played some of your biggest venues yet. What did performing these songs alongside the people who found themselves in them reveal to you about the project?
CA: Every song I put out and then play live, it's just so affirming. I look out at the crowd and think, you guys are me. I see myself in every single person. It's in the way they dress, the way they're singing the words back, the conversations we have after.
I knew while writing the songs that I'm not the only person who feels this way, but seeing it in person is just everything. And I was actually really surprised this time how many men were really, really feeling it, especially from this new project. That was one of the coolest parts.
So interesting. My boyfriend came with me to The Bowery Ballroom show and had the best time! Is there a venue you haven't played yet that's on your bucket list?
CA: I went to the Greek Theatre last week and I was really drunk watching the show, and I texted all my friends like, "I'm drunk, music is so amazing." I just could picture in a few years what it would be like to play the Greek and then think back to the time I was drunk there.
When I picture it, I'm not thinking about who I'm opening for or who's opening for me. I'm only thinking about being there and eating the catering, and then being on stage. That's what I imagine.
You keep a folder of meaningful comments and fan messages you can go back to when you're feeling doubt. Was there any note or gift from this latest tour that really stood out to you?
CA: I call it my evidence proof folder. There's this fan named Buffy who, since the first time I went on tour, has written me these amazing letters about their life. I've gotten so many updates from them, and this one was extra special because their life has changed so much! It forced me to think about what I was doing when we first met, and the year after that, and the year after that. I have all of their letters in a little book. I love when I get a letter from Buffy.
Speaking of your fans, is there anything they can look forward to from you, and is there anything you want them to know that I haven’t asked?
CA: I'm working on new music and a bigger body of work, and that feels really good. Lately I've been feeling so solid mentally and really connected to my fans, especially teasing little bits of new music just to put things out there. Nothing is finished, but it's been such an awesome daily reminder of the purpose in writing it and putting it out for all of these people who've been so loyal and so kind.
I've been thinking about my fans so much, wondering if we're going through similar things. So basically, I would just like to ask them what's up and tell them I say hey.
Last question: what are your ins and outs for fall 2026?
CA: Ooh. Ins: workout clothes that are loose and baggy, I don't want to be skintight. Being naked, just actually being naked at all times. Also in: reading. I've been really into books, and also stopping a book if you don't like it. You don't have to finish it.
Out: the lids of coffee cups with the spout, I fucking hate that. Short skirts. My thighs are chafing, it needs to be breezy. Also out: doing a lot of skincare. Now that my skin is clear from Accutane, I'm just going bare. I always thought I wanted all the lotions and creams, but I really don't. I want to say EPs, too. Take the time to release a full body of work!
Thank you so much, Carol!
CA: Of course, thank you!