In Conversation With #214 - Romanie
Multi-award winning singer-songwriter Romanie has released her second album ‘It’s Not That Funny'.
Arriving as a bold new chapter, ‘It’s Not That Funny’ takes shape as a deeply personal project. Through pure-vocals, tender lyricism and Romanie’s infectious charm, the album transforms powerful reflections into relatable and profound morsels of endlessly playable indie-pop.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Romanie, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
It’s kind of crazy! These songs have been living on my hard drive for such a long time. I didn’t think they were ever going to be released. Feels surreal that people have access to them too now. It feels quite emotional, I’m so proud of the album.
It is called 'It’s Not That Funny' – what is the meaning behind that?
It’s Not That Funny is an album about trauma, healing and finding yourself amongst it all. The title came from a moment of realisation in a therapy office when you keep joking about everything bad that’s ever happened to you as a coping mechanism. I wanted to dive deeper than the jokes and get to the real feelings and truth behind them. Drifting between two sonic worlds of calm sadness and energetic feelings, I think it’s a real description of what’s going on in my brain most of the time: being a dual citizen, navigating the loss and love of two homes. It’s an album where I’m learning to speak up for myself and voicing the need for women to be heard in the industry and the world. It’s also about community and a love letter to all my friends, who consistently show up and mean the whole world to me.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
The album was made over quite a long stretch of time in various places. We started recording the first few songs and basics of the album right after the Are We There Yet? tour with Sam Swain at Sunset Pig Studios. A few months later I went with Gormie to our usual studio set up, recording with Lachlan O’Kane and Gormie out in his Pakenham studio. I think after that point I had to take a little break and did some more writing - which resulted into a songwriting day with Adam Hyde and Tom Stell. ‘I Won’t Yell’ was finalised in those sessions which feels like such a key element to this album.
What are the key influences behind the album?
I really tried my best this time around to actively avoid listening to references, I wanted to dig deep and find my own truth and sound. Obviously I’m a living and breathing human who consumes music and culture daily, so I definitely think I’m still influenced by the music I listen to and the people I’m surrounded by. I’ve been a part of a songwriting community called ‘School of Song’ for quite some time and they organise songwriting workshops with musicians that inspire me a lot. Throughout the writing process I did workshops with Adrienne Lenker, Laura Marling, Phil Elverum, and so many more absolute songwriting legends. Throughout the recording I was also having artists like Mitski, The Cranberries, Wet Leg etc. on repeat so I can only hope it seeped into my sound.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
It’s a huge dream of mine to land a sync to a movie or series with my music (music supervisors take note!) I just think it’s such a key moment for certain television and my own work process involves so much visual thinking / world creation so it’d be an honour really having that opportunity. I reckon it would be a devastating romcom, or a Heartbreak High moment.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I think my favourite lyric is the last one on the album. “There is power at play, so I’ve got nothing left to say…” it’s the last thing I wrote before wrapping up the album and I think it holds so much power against the feeling of feeling powerless.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
Having just released an album about mental health felt very big and ever-consuming for my own mental health so I’m treating myself to the first holiday I’ve had in a few years. I’d feel like a bit of a hypocrite if I wouldn’t take care of my own mental wellbeing now and I hope that this album can spark more openness and conversation around emotional wellbeing. I’m learning that we can’t do it all at once (sadly). I think this year I really want to be intentional with the shows that I play, and feel present with my audience and grow from here. I’m kickstarting this new way of touring where I write a song with the support act which we share on stage the day after and I’m super excited to see where the album will take me next. Maybe for the first time in my life, I’m happy to see where time will take me rather than feeling like I’m needing to rush to get to the next stop. Bring it on.
