Defying genres seems to be a part of Rome In Silver’s DNA. With influences ranging from rap and future bass, to trap and drum & bass, you’re never quite sure what to expect from the talented producer except for a wealth of quality. Rome was an early standout in our Focus Five series before absolutely amazing us with his Quality Goods EP Spirituality. Since then he’s landed singles on bitbird & Deadbeats and is quickly becoming one of the most well-respected producers in electronic music. With 2019 set to be his biggest year to date we decided it was due time to connect with him for a guest mix and interview. The mix features a ton of his unreleased gems plus music from some of his very talented producer friends. We had the chance to discuss his recent travels to Thailand and Vietnam, odd sources of inspiration, his relationship with spirituality and more. Dive in below!
What drives you to create music?
To be honest, relationships. I think most people agree that emotion is what drives the creative process. Although I’m not usually writing lyrics, it’s still emotion that gets put into the music. I hate being tacky but…love is fierce, you know what I mean?
You recently spent some time in Thailand. How was the trip? Any highlights? Did you pick up any cool sounds along the way?
Yes! I went to Thailand & Vietnam, and both were absolutely amazing. I am a traveler at heart so I love being in places that are drastically different from what I’m used to. I definitely picked up some really cool sounds. If you know me you know I’m a sample guy so getting some awesome recordings overseas of some interesting things makes me complete. A highlight would probably be scuba diving since I had never been until this trip!
I have a horrible habit of making sure something I’m working on doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard. If I feel like it sounds ‘too much like this person’ then I immediately have to change what I’m doing.
Your sound seems to escape the confines of genres. Is this something you try to do intentionally?
A lot of what I make is unintentional but staying away from specific genres is definitely intentional. I have a horrible habit of making sure something I’m working on doesn’t sound like anything I’ve heard. If I feel like it sounds “too much like this person” then I immediately have to change what I’m doing. Even though some may say that’s a great thing, I think it’s a complete hindrance and it gets worse over time. Also, on a side note: I don’t trust this whole “fuck genres” thing. I’ve literally seen some kids say that yet they only make dubstep. I find that quite funny. Even for myself I just consider what I make to be electronic music. The real term should be “fuck subgenres” hahaha. Sorry, I could go on forever about this.
What’s the oddest thing that’s inspired you musically?
This isn’t too odd but probably movie scores. I can think of a few in particular that I listen to that have some insanely weird and cool production. Coraline has a really cool score and sometimes I’ll grab pieces from there and manipulate the hell out of it. More recently is that movie Hereditary. The final scene has this piece in it that’s absolutely stunning (in the tracklisting the song is called ‘Reborn.’ I saw it in theaters, went home and found the composer (Colin Stetson), then tried to recreate the whole thing. That’s mad inspiring. The movie itself was also super inspiring, a true work of art.
I am both a very enthusiastic, easygoing, nice person as well as dark, gloomy and slightly pessimistic. I feel like I have an alter ego, it’s so strange.
Even within your harder tracks there seems to be an upbeat undertone. Is the cheery sound a reflection of who you are and your personal outlook?
I would definitely say it’s a reflection of who I am. It’s hard to explain this but I’d say I am both a very enthusiastic, easygoing, nice person as well as dark, gloomy and slightly pessimistic. I feel like I have an alter ego, it’s so strange. I use it to my advantage though.
Your last EP was entitled Spirituality. Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?
Yes and no. I actually named the EP that because I am spiritually conflicted. Spirituality plays a key role in my life and it’s always on my mind, yet most of the time it’s me questioning things and having those conflicting thoughts. But nonetheless I think about it all too often. Friends, social media and the internet can really push people to think or feel a certain way. I can feel it having an effect on my thoughts on the subject but I’m trying to block all that out and really form my own opinions on it based on my experiences.
You recently tweeted, “So I went back to the drawing board to hone in on my skills. Not gonna lie my work has been sounding pristine lately.” Can you elaborate on this? What changes did you make and what have the impacts been?
Ah, yes. So for a long time I haven’t been getting good sessions in the studio. The sessions have been super short too, and I’ve been getting distracted by other things. It was like that for most of last year. When I really hit a slump, I just went back into learning mode. Watched an insane amount of tutorials, learned the ins and outs of some of my tools, made a ton of my own samples, etc. What came of it was twofold: new music, and a bunch of indispensable new skills that I know i’ll use forever. I guess you can say I leveled up!
Tell us about the most fun thing you’ve done this week.
I rode my bike in the rain. California has been getting a ridiculous amount of rain this year and I’m not taking it for granted.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Probably moving. Right now I’m in a tiny little apartment but I’m moving in April to a bigger space. I can’t wait to have a nice new environment to be writing music in. That’s the best feeling ever! And releasing all this music of course.
You recently played a show with Brownies & Lemonade. Did it live up to the hype? How was the night?
Oh my god it was so much fun. They really pack out every show they throw. We were in talks for a while about playing a show for them. They hit me up while I was in Vietnam the day before my flight home. I was like, “I’m so down but if any of my flights get delayed I’m really sorry” hahaha.
If your guest mix was a movie what would the tagline be?
“Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen”
Tracklist:
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Rohaan & Bonnema – ID
- Luxage – Rustic
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Yojas – srkt.
- Joey Purp – Elastic
- Arian Cook – Having Fun
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Maxd – Constellations
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Asdek – Let Me Tell You
- LSDream – Awake.exe
- Glacci – Celadon Fire
- UZ – Mad (Rome in Silver Remix)
- Rome in Silver – The Rundown
- Duke & Jones – ID
- UZ – Rebirth (Eliminate Remix)
- Oski – In Check
- Watgood – Textures
- Mefjus – Ringshifter (Culprate Remix)
- Minnesota – Dark Crystal (Pigeon Hole Remix)
- JKutch – Bob’s Song
- Rome in Silver – Glass
- Rome in Silver – ID
- Shades – Kolumbo
- ID & ID – ID
- Louis The Child – Breaking News (ID Remix)
- Troyboi – Back to the Wall (Rome in Silver Remix)
- Rome in Silver & Cozway – ID
- Wet – Dreams (Uno Stereo Remix)
- Rome in Silver – Falling Down
- Rome in Silver & Holly – ID
