Rio Romeo on new single “JOHNNYSCOTT”
From influences to injuries: What’s Next for Rio Romeo
Your new single “JOHNNYSCOTT” is your first release of the year—what inspired this track, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
I was talking with my partner about how unfair it was that I had all of these grown ass men praying on me as a teenager, and how now being 26 I could never imagine even where I would meet let alone be interested in a teenager. My partner, who knows me so incredibly well, kindly suggested that I try to channel this emotion into some angrier music. I knew exactly who and what I would want to make a song about if I let myself feel angry. That night, I wrote and recorded this song. It was as natural as breathing - there was no second guessing. It felt so cathartic to be able to channel something other than sadness. Growing up in a conservative environment, women were allowed to feel sad, discouraged, hopeless, but not angry. Honestly, it feels good to just face it in the mentality of that was fucked up, he should have known better, and he should suffer for it.
How does “JOHNNYSCOTT” set the tone for the music you have coming next?
“JOHNNYSCOTT” is a great example of how I use music to be able to emotionally process, and how I feel I have grown in that skill. I produced the bulk of “JOHNNYSCOTT” and feel a new confidence in my ability to articulate how I am feeling, not only with lyrics and chords, but with the pace and energy of the entire song. The next music coming up is a little more traditionally "me" sounding, featuring a heavy handed piano and a story to be told, but this track kicked off the message that I know what I need to say and how I need to say it, and I'm not afraid to put myself out there.
You’ve built such a strong connection with your fanbase. How has their support influenced the direction of your new music?
There are quite a few ways that my fanbase has influenced my music. Playing across the US on my first tour in 2023, I learned a lot about how it feels to perform a song that people love, and it influenced the way that I write music ever since. I think most musicians learn this feeling, this feedback, earlier in their career, but because of my skateboarding accident in 2020 that left me with a traumatic brain injury and a busted hip for years, I was not able to play any live shows until over 5 years after releasing my first project. Playing these shows and feeling how everyone in the crowd reacted, it inspired me to bring a higher level of energy to my work as well as really lean into the love songs. Beyond the in-person experience, my fans being continually into my work has really lit a fire for me to learn how to be a better songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and producer. I want to be able to better articulate exactly what sound I'm going for, what message I have to say, because I know that someone is listening.
Image courtesy of the artist
Your music blends cabaret punk with alternative indie pop—did any specific influences shape the sound of “JOHNNYSCOTT” or your upcoming releases?
No Doubt's album Tragic Kingdom was definitely a huge inspiration of this track -- the intoxicating melodies with a punk ethos, all topped off with lighthearted Southern California sunshine and pop vocals.
Your work is deeply theatrical and storytelling-driven. How does performance play into your vision for this new era of music?
After my hip surgery that has ultimately really helped my mobility and pain levels, I feel like I can reliably count on my body for the first time in years. Because of this, I am able to plan performances at a higher level of detail, which is such a fun progression in my career. My music started as a way to be a part of the theatre without doing... all of that... so performance is a high priority for me moving forward. Being able to bring my fans into my physical world is so fun -- my personal performance is equally met with attention to designing the space to feel like we're in my living room telling stories, and I'm really looking forward to expanding this at my next shows.
What excites you most about this next chapter in your career?
I'm excited about this next chapter because I get to experience it relatively pain free. For so many years, I have been juggling the excitement of having my music doing well and gaining a kind, wonderful, empathetic fanbase with being in debilitating pain that really limits my day to day activities. So, genuinely, I'm just excited to experience having a music career and feeling untethered in terms of my physical body. It's a great privilege that I do not take lightly.
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