INTERVIEW:
Erik Kase Romero
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IT has been great…
finding out more about New Jersey native, Erik Kase Romero. An exceptional and distinct artist who cemented his reputation as one of the state’s best recording engineers and producers, Romero has also made records with some of the most incredible Indie bands to come through in recent years (including Deal Casino). An in-demand and busy talent whose discography and C.V. is one of the strongest and most varied I have seen in years, Romero has been focusing on his most personal work to date. That is his solo project. So much beauty, soul, heart and atmosphere goes into his stunning music. After releasing an E.P. in 2022 – and some well-received singles last year -, Erik Kase Romero unveils his how to be still & still be here album. His most astonishing work yet, it demonstrates phenomenal songwriting from an artist that so many people need to know about. I have been speaking to Romero about the new album, whether he thinks his native New Jersey music scene gets enough love, and what his next steps will be. I would recommend to everyone go and check out Erik Kase Romero’s…
BRILLANT new album.
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Hey Erik. Looking back at last year, what would you say were the high points and memorable moments?
This year was a pretty wild ride. I became a father, released this album that I’m super proud of, and toured the most I have since 2020… to name a few things. I’m so grateful for all of these experiences. I’d have to say the adventure into parenthood has been the most profound of all of them without a doubt.
Some people might not know your background and start. Tell us about the music scene in New Jersey and some of the artists you grew up listening to.
I sound like a broken record, but I’d have to say that I’m super grateful for my experience growing up in NJ and the opportunities the music community offered here. I started playing in bands and going to shows in the early-2000s, and New Jersey really felt like an epicenter for the Pop Punk (and adjacent genres) scene. There were always shows to go to every week, and there were so many kids starting bands in my town and surrounding area. Looking back, I think it was really easy to take for granted, but it was a huge factor in me ending up where I am today. I was also really lucky and privileged to have parents who were incredibly supportive of me following my passion for making and recording music.
“The canon of artists who’ve come out of the Garden State speaks for itself, and I’m very proud to call it my home”
Many know about other U.S. states’ music scene. Do you think New Jersey gets enough focus in terms of its local talent? What is the current scene there like?
It’s the most densely-populated state in the U.S., and it’s mostly suburban. The proximity to NYC and Philly is without a doubt a huge reason for that. So there’s a tremendous amount of people living very close together, and I think the net result as far as music goes is that there’s always a lot of young people trying to create communities and music - which is essential to a music scene in my opinion. In terms of it getting ENOUGH focus, I’m not really sure haha. In my travels, it seems a lot of Americans think of NJ as a state to drive through on the way to a major city, or that the majority of us are caricatures like Jersey Shore stars or Sopranos characters… but I think those who are really music enthusiasts know the deal. The canon of artists who’ve come out of the Garden State speaks for itself, and I’m very proud to call it my home.
At the moment, there’s a huge amount of exciting bands putting in the work here. We’ve lost a lot of venues and D.I.Y. spots over the years and of course because of the pandemic. However, it always seems that demand creates supply and the last year or, so I’ve been happy to see lots of new avenues and spaces for music popping up.
Tell me about your new album, how to be still & still be here. How does it compare to your previous E.P.s? Do you approach writing and recording an album a lot differently to an E.P.?
Being that this is my first attempt at a full album, it definitely felt different in approach than the previous E.P.s and singles I’ve released. I tried to commit to a strategy pretty early on for these songs in the hopes of getting me out of my habitual headspace of producing and recording other artists, as well as to keep myself inspired and creative. In the past, I’ve really gone deep into demoing my songs as I write them; honestly to the point of overkill. This time, I decided to only ever arrange them as far as an acoustic guitar and vocals prior to the recording process.
Next, I got together four of my best friends/musicians/collaborators and we spent a period of time in the studio coming up with arrangements by playing live and fleshing out the energy of the songs. This part of the process was by far the most revelatory and exciting. I really felt like it brought a lot of collaboration and creativity to the process that made everything feel connected and reflective of a specific period of time.
After that, I spent about a month alone with the recordings getting into some experimental processing, vocal tracking, and small overdubs with the original live takes always living at the core. Then, me and the musicians got together for a day or two just to button everything up.
Do you have a particular favourite song from the album? Maybe one that was especially quick to write or has deep personal meaning?
Oooh, that’s tough. I think as far as songwriting goes I’m the most satisfied and proud of honest. I think it really communicates an authentic set of feelings that are very real and true about who I am. Listening back to the album I think my favorite to listen to is probably lessons, though. I just really like how it came out and how it evolves.
Maria is also a good one to note as far as personal meaning. It’s the last song I wrote for the record. And the recording on the album is a single take of one of the first times I ever played it, just sitting in my studio. I really like that it feels nascent and raw. It’s a song for my daughter.
“Every song on this record had its own unique journey to being completed”
Talk to me more about honest. I believe that is quite an important one to you…
Yea, as I said earlier, I feel like it is probably the most successful attempt I’ve had to date in representing myself. It means a lot to me. It’s not about anything singular or particular; but more about unpacking the ubiquitous struggle for identity and truth. Sometimes, personally, I find it’s the hardest to be ‘honest’ with myself… but beginning that process is the only real way to begin being honest as a practice.
In terms of your songwriting, how much comes together in the studio compared to at home? Do you have a particular routine when it comes to creating tracks?
Most of the lyrics and chord changes I had written before getting into the recording process. As detailed above, the musicians involved and me really took on the role of developing the arrangements, parts, and aesthetics in the studio. I definitely don’t have any routine when it comes to this. On the contrary, as a producer, songwriter and creative, routines and habits often lead me to the most uninspiring places. I like to switch up patterns as often as I can both to challenge myself and just to stay excited and present! Every song on this record had its own unique journey to being completed.
Also, I’m lucky enough that my home and the recording studio is a very blurry distinction. I have a studio at my house and a larger studio that I operate. And both of them are useful tools that I have access to. Most of the songs were written in my home recording studio, so it was very easy to catalog and develop ideas.
“I have more songs that I didn’t include on the album, and I’m sure I’ll write more in the coming months”
I know many in the U.K. would like to see you play live. Might you visit us at some point?
I would love to! I’ve toured a decent amount in the U.K. with other bands, but I hope that I can have an opportunity to get over there and share my own music with yall ASAP!
Maybe premature to ask, but what comes next in terms of music? When how to be still & still be here was completed, were any other songs written after that may go into a future album or E.P.?
As of right now, I’m mostly focused on touring this record and continuing to record albums for other bands and artists! I have more songs that I didn’t include on the album, and I’m sure I’ll write more in the coming months - but for now I’m just focused on this project.
Finally, can you choose any song by another artist that you admire that I can include in the piece?
Sure! I love so many artists, so it’s hard to pick any single one. The last few days, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to Jackson Browne’s Call It a Loan. It’s not one of his more popular songs, but I really love the lyrics - and it’s just been hard to stop listening to it haha. I grew up listening to his music, and it holds a really special place in my heart.
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