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Blurred Culture stepped out with ROMES as the men charmed their way through the Big Apple. The “band of brothers” consist of Jacob Alexander (Vocals), Nicolas Amadeus (Drums), James Tebbitt (Guitar) and Andrew Keyes (Bass). Their new EP, “BELIEVE”, is out and with all the ear worms being unleashed, it no wonder that the band had mischievous looks in their eyes and a skip in their steps, but before the jet setters flew off to Los Angeles, they answered the 10.
BLURRED CULTURE: WHAT’S YOUR FIRST MUSICAL MEMORY? DO YOU THINK THAT MEMORY STILL INFLUENCES YOU TODAY?
KEYES: I don’t know if I have a specific musical memory. Growing up my parents were always listening to CDs in the car and around the house. I remember listening to the Pulp Fiction soundtrack in my dad’s car, and White Ladder by David Gray with my Mum in the house. I also remember the video for “Breathe” by the Prodigy being on TV a lot – the alligator in the bedroom definitely left an impression!
BC: WHEN YOU’RE WRITING MUSIC, WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION?
ALEXANDER: I’ve always looked up to the artists who are able to document emotion in its rawest form. It’s a difficult thing to be completely real and honest with yourself on paper, but it is definitely something I strive to do everyday.
BC: “BELIEVE” IS AN EXTREMELY STRON ANTHEM FOR SELF RELIANCE, IS THERE A STORY BEHIND THE TRACK?
ALEXANDER: It was written during a time when people were doubting my passion and my goals. I was getting sick of the negativity. I felt like saying something and the best way for me to do that was to write a song. It’s one for the dreamers because everybody has the power to dream and nobody can take that power away from you.
BC: AS A NEW BAND WITH AN EP OUT, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM THE EP?
KEYES: We’d love for people to resonate emotionally with the EP. I love the idea of a few friends putting it on before going out for the night, or if they were to listen to it on a road trip. Anything like that, because people always interpret songs differently. Ultimately it’s up to the listener. The greatest moments of our lives have always been associated with a song or an album. If people could say the same about ROMES, we’d be blown away.
BC: AS ARTISTS WITH A PLATFORM TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE, DO YOU EVER FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY SOMETHING? IF SO, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
KEYES: I don’t think we’re an outwardly political band, and I don’t know if we feel a responsibility to speak out all the time. That being said, by putting out a song like “Believe”, we are making a statement that it’s okay to back yourself, even when everything seems to be going against you. Whether it’s a dream, a passion, or sexuality, I feel that “Believe” is about committing to yourself. In terms of “saying something”, we all know the difference between right and wrong. The idea that we have a responsibility to “speak out to somebody” is something that we need to consider.
BC: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CHEMISTRY IN THE BAND?
KEYES: We’re four brothers. Two are biological!
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BC: YOU’RE ON THE TOUR BUS, THE BUS BREAKS DOWN. YOU’RE INT HE MOUNTAINS, IT’S SNOWING AND FREEZING. NO HELP IS COMING. WHO IN THE BAND IS GOING TO GET EATEN FIRST AND WHY?
KEYES: That’s a tough one, there’s not a lot of meat on our bones. You’d be better off scavenging for berries and worms.
BC: WHAT HAS BEEN THE CRAZIEST/MOST EMBARRASSING STORY AS A BAND ON STAGE OR ON TOUR SO FAR?
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BC: WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO WITH YOUR DOWN TIME?
ALEXANDER: We practice together or work on music in our own time. It’s what we love to do.
BC: WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST DAY AS A BAND SO FAR?
KEYES: ROMES is still so young. The best experience I had was when we made our U.S. debut recently, playing New York and LA over the course of a week. The New York show was sold out, and The LA one was packed too. It felt amazing.
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