Q&A with Joe Romersa
Joe Romersa
I’m Still The Same Guy.
Joe Romersa is back with a new album titled 'Who We Are Today'. Joe told us that he initially wanted to name the album 'I Don't Know' because there are many things he doesn't know. But one thing we can say we do know is that if there's anyone who knows how to stay true to himself after so many years of being in the music industry, it's him. It all started when he was recognized in his teen years for his talent with sound as he is an extraordinary voice actor, musician, composer, and producer. He then toured with bands and rubbed elbows with many notable acts. But this isn't to say that he also didn't run into some tough times, as the music industry can be pretty tough when you're introduced to it as a young adult.
As you'll come to find out through our Q&A with the legend, 'Who We Are Today' asks many questions about humanity and if we are all truly that different from one another. His life experiences have been packaged into this unique album that is pretty much a photo collection with snapshots of his life. And even though all this may present different sides of the artist, he assures us that he's still very much the same guy who writes and creates from the heart. Joe Romersa shared a lot more with us, like which social media platforms are his favorite and what is now probably one of the best and funniest stories anyone has shared with IndieWavves. Enjoy!
You can stream 'Who We Are Today' anywhere you listen to music.
IndieWavves: Your new single, "Raincheck", talks about not having to wait and a love that "is using" you. Can you tell us what inspired the track?
Joe Romersa: I originally wrote this song when I was only 22. It was just the frustration of dating generally. I played in the clubs and hit the Hollywood parties, and I would get used by women to climb into my circle of friends. They'd get what they want, but I was left empty-handed. Let's be honest; a 22-year-old wants what they want from the babes. I was frustrated with just being the stepping stone to someone else or someplace else.
IW: The song has a classic rock feel that lets the guitar be your co-star and your voice is the star. As a voice actor, do you find yourself exploring different voices and characters for your music?
JR: The short answer is no. The longer answer is that as a singer, I find myself exploring characters because I am in a different headspace than when I wrote the song. Just like an actor, for genuine emotion to come through in my music, I need to revisit who that person is and what they are feeling, whether it's love, anger, frustration, or hope. As a sound engineer, I found singers better ADR actors because the timing needed to sing translates well to speaking with pictures.
IW: This new single is part of your new album 'Who We Are Today.' What's the story behind the album title, and what can we expect from this new body of work?
JR: I originally wanted the album titled "I Don't Know", because I don't. I don't have the answers, and there are so many questions coming at us daily. But, I got a bit of push back from the record label because it became a sort of an Abbott and Costello routine, "What's the name of the new album?" "I Don't Know." Well, when will you know?" lol. I decided to go with 'Who We Are Today', which is also the title track because it has a similar message. Is this who we are? Are we really a society that is either overly sensitive or desensitized? Are we really that different from each other? Are our experiences truly that unique? Are we doing okay, or are we all suffering? I don't know. But those questions and more are out there right now. I think what listeners can expect is an authentic album listening experience. The songs are like a photo album with snapshots of my life experiences. Sonically, they reflect influences from singer-songwriters to funk-rock.
IW: Who would you say Joe Romersa is today compared to Joe Romersa 10-15 years ago?
JR: I'm still the same guy. I'm still doing what I've always done. I write from a place in my heart about what I see and what I feel, good or bad. For this album, I was able to work with a better caliber of people and at a higher level, and I think the sound on this album reflects this improvement. Working with this incredible team brought my music to a whole new place. I consider writing lyrics to be my strong point, and the production of the new album really allows the message of my songs to come through both sonically and lyrically.
IW: What advice would you give artists who are just starting in the industry?
JR: Always be on time. Always. Surround yourself with successful people in the industry. To be true to yourself. And what I mean by that is be careful what advice you take. Everyone has an opinion.
IW: Which social media platform is your favorite and why?
JR: Well, I can tell you my least favorite is Twitter. I just find Twitter a dark, angry, snarky place, and that's just not my vibe. As far as the other platforms, I like Facebook for watching live events and keeping in touch with long-time friends. I'm always game for a cat video. I like Instagram for the artistry, and I follow several accounts of other creators. I also like the connection with my fans on IG. I recently got on Tik-Tok. I love it, and there's some funny shit on there.
IW: In our previous feature, you shared five facts about yourself, and it proved that you have quite the stories. Can you share with us your all-time favorite memory since embarking on your music career? (If you can't pick one, pick two.)
MORE: Five Fun Facts with Joe Romersa
JR: (Story 1) Maybe not my favorite but one of the funnier memories is when I was on my first tour with Nuclear Test Band. I was a nineteen-year-old drummer in a band that got booked at a strip club in Oklahoma. I was on stage and eye level to bouncing boobs everywhere. After our gig, a stripper called Flipper (true story), and I partied and had a wild night. The following day, I noticed my only stage shirt had gone rogue. That thing was a multi-colored velvet stage shirt I bought in Hollywood on Melrose. I barely had enough food to eat, let alone buy a new shirt. Can you imagine trying to even find a replacement like that in Oklahoma during the mid-70s? Since there was only one suspect, I tracked Flipper down. Sure enough, she had the shirt and had stolen it on purpose. But she was cool and gave it back. And that was that we were out of town and on to the next gig. And I will never forget Flipper, the stripper.
(Story 2) Perhaps one of my favorites memories was hearing Nuclear Test Band on the radio for the first time. We were driving into a town for a gig with the radio tuned to the local station. As part of the promo for our gig, one of our songs was played. The feeling, the absolute thrill, of hearing your music coming at you over the airwaves for the first time is indescribable. It's always exciting to listen to your music played over the airwaves, but nothing like that very first time. Now, a musician can upload their latest release to the internet, and there's definitely a sense of satisfaction with completing a project and releasing it to be heard by others. The radio is different, though. You just have no control of when or where or if your music will get played, which makes it all the more special.
Written by Piera Lolandes