The first time I heard a Daniel Romano song? I can’t remember exactly, but I do recall that by the time the last note was played, I had made up my mind: this guy had to do a session someday. This past year the country singer from Welland, Ontario (Canada) played a lot of shows in The Netherlands. On the very last day of his months-long tour of Europe, he was still willing to sing us two songs.
Romano’s most recent record Come Cry With Me (2013) – just like its predecessor Sleep Beneath The Willow from two years before – doesn’t have a lot of weak songs on it, to say the least. He sings about ‘themes of bad choices, hard times, boozing and losing’. Country is a great genre, but making a good country record these days – without becoming more of a tribute act – can be slightly difficult. Romano, who calls it ‘mosey’ instead of country, never becomes a stereotype, not on the record nor on stage. He certainly pays tribute to his influences, but is certainly standing on his own to feet, singing his own strong song material.
On a side note: playing guitar in Romano’s live band was Jenny Berkel, whose voice combines wonderfully with Romano’s and who’s a talented songwriter and solo artist in her own right. For proof, give her Here On A Wire record from 2012 a spin.
Back to Daniel Romano, who – as said – was kind enough to play two songs on the afternoon of the last day of his extensive, no doubt tiresome tour. The day after, he boarded a ship back towards Canada.
All photos by Matthijs van der Ven
YouTube | iTunes | Spotify
danielromanomusic.com
TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht
Martijn Groeneveld (Mailmen Studios)
Jaap Bossen (Tourzaamheden)
Jair Hoogland (Sedate Bookings)