Melbourne-based indie pop artist, Romanie has teased her forthcoming debut album with the lilting title single 'Are We There Yet?'.
A mash of '60s-tainted pop and lo-fi indie rock with quintessential Aussie-flavoured vocals (that mask her Belgian heritage), lyrically the song details thoughts of unfulfilled success and stagnation related to the quickening of time as we get older.Produced by Alex O'Gorman (Angie McMahon, BATTS) – with Romanie also co-producing the track – and mastered by Isaac Barter (Alex The Astronaut, Didirri), the song took life when Romanie was frustrated by perceived missed opportunities.
"The idea for the song came from a prominent feeling in my life where I always feel like I'm looking towards the next goal, dreaming about the next thing," she says. "Always running out of time and feeling like seconds are slipping through my fingers.
"Especially throughout lockdown, I felt like I was aging but nothing else was happening and I got so frustrated by what felt like missed opportunities."
As her indie career builds momentum ahead of the release of the 'Are We There Yet?' album in October, Romanie finds herself mulling conflicting feelings of success – her own self-doubts alongside the exterior praise she's received for her originals.
"Such a funny feeling, being described as successful is hard to grasp for me," shares Romanie, discussing embracing the journey of success.
"I feel like to this day still I look at my peers and I have no idea what the heck is going on in my life – like I'm just writing songs and putting them out there hoping for the best.
"Maybe that's the key though – I've really changed my mindset and am mainly writing just for me, trying to be proud of what I create and just make music with friends, singing about things that I love (or for some songs, really don’t love)."
Here, Romanie shares her tips to harness the art of patience and enjoy life in the moment.
Friends Forever
The last few years of my life have been defined by incredible chaos, especially the last year, so I'm just grateful to be alive really and trying to make the best of every situation. I'm really lucky to be surrounded by an incredible community, which has shown up for me while I had a hard time.I think this actually might be the key to happiness and success – a community. I care so much for the people around me and I know they do about me too. Going to see gigs and supporting your friends, being inspired every day. This is what really counts for me personally.
Become a comedian
I really take everything with a grain of salt and try to see the humour in everything. My friends always say we must live in a comedy series. The things that happen to us sometimes feel so scripted.Not that it's always funny though, but it feels like part of the journey. If I get rejected by something or someone, I'll probably write a song about it. If something hurts, I'll probably write a song about it too.
Keep Swimming, Dory
I used to hate when people told me 'just keep writing' or 'never give up', but they were actually right. A friend once told me that the only people who 'make it' in the music industry are the ones who just never stopped.I'm definitely not where I want to be yet, but I'll wear that advice on me for the rest of my life and I think I'll just never stop writing songs.
I also like to think like Dory from 'Finding Nemo', because each time you get rejected (which you 100 per cent will at some point) you kinda have to forget it happened and try again the next time. Something will happen if you keep trying, at least that's what I believe.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
I cannot count on my two hands the amount of times people (even the people I love sometimes) have asked me whether I don't want to find 'a real job' or 'when I'm going to give up my hobby'. These things hurt, I'm not going to lie, but they're not true.If you write and perform songs, you're an artist. It took me so long to believe this, especially as a woman in the music industry. Even now when I play a show, sometimes older men ask me 'so, are you singing backing vocals today?' – luckily I'm surrounded by a band who then reply: 'No, I don't think Romanie will sing at all today, maybe we should call off the show then?', to which I then giggle and we get a great story out of it.
It's really important to not let those things drag you down and just look at the situation as a funny thing, rather than a true reflection of who you are.
Don't try to be a fortune teller
This is something I'm still actively trying to learn as well. It sounds so dumb, but you never know what's going to happen and you can't force it.I love the life I have at this current moment. I get to work with incredible musicians and friends, I can write about my silly, little feelings and I get the chance to connect with other people throughout it all. Anything else that happens on top of that is a bonus.
And of course, I'd love to continue to grow and do this more and more and more.
