The music industry is taking note of Carly Cooper’s talent

Playing everything from small town bars in Wisconsin to a showcase in Los Angeles, Carly Cooper is getting attention across the industry

Growing up in a small Southern Wisconsin town, Carly Cooper discovered her talent for music at a young age. The Elkhorn girl chose guitar over ballet when she was eight, and it’s a decision she doesn’t regret. Supported by her creative family, Cooper’s love of music only grew. And the industry is now taking note.  

Jump ahead to 2020 when Cooper released her debut album, “Twisted Minds,” showcasing her talent as a singer-songwriter. Her follow-up album, “Pastel Houses,” released in 2023, earned her a licensing deal with Sony’s APM Music, marking a significant milestone in her career. Cooper joined the Max Ink Radio Show across the Civic Media Radio Network as the featured “Live in the Lair,” guest for an in-studio concert. She also took time to answer questions about her career and licensing deal she earned after a showcase of her music in Los Angeles. 

“APM Music is owned by Sony Music as their licensing branch, and what they do is have a catalog of music for movie producers and other more famous artists to use and sample,” Cooper says. “So for example, if someone  wanted to sample a part of one of my songs, they could go to APM Music, purchase it, and I would get royalties from their song and part of what I wrote would be in one of their songs. And on the other end of that, they also license for movie soundtracks. So if I get a movie placement, I also get paid for that and earn royalties.”

Listen to the full interview including more songs and the meaning behind each one, meet her bandmates, and learn about the surprising famous musician Cooper has shared a stage with here.

Cooper’s journey isn’t just about solo success. As a student at UW-Madison, she met bass player Katie Sarri and drummer Austin Gent through the Wisconsin Singers, and formed the band, Girls Inside. Together, they are navigating the music scene, playing across the state at various venues and festivals.  Cooper’s dedication and talent is also opening the door for an invitation for the band to perform at Summerfest, one of the largest music festivals in the world. Cooper considers it a dream come true.

“We’ll be playing on the Briggs and Stratton Big Backyard State on June 29th,” Cooper explains. “A scout basically was interested, came to a show, and booked us. I think we are also part of a primarily girl lineup that day. We are super excited and have never played at Summerfest before, so it was definitely on our bucket list.”

Cooper’s music is a reflection of her life experiences, from heartbreaks to personal growth. Her songs resonate with listeners, blending poignant lyrics with compelling melodies. And the band is on track to release a new album this summer.

“My upcoming album is recorded,” Cooper says. “I just have to pick a date to release it, get some album art worked up, but it will be out this summer.”

Cooper’s story is wrapped around perseverance and passion. From a small-town girl to a promising artist making waves in the music industry, Cooper is captivating audiences, while proving dreams can come true.