Deep, deep down, Daniel Romano, best known for his work in Canadian indie rock band Attack In Black, has a country music heart. With his solo career, which includes his recently released third album, Come Cry With Me, Romano takes on a different persona of a classic country singer, brimming with nostalgia and channelling George Jones, Gram Parsons, and Hank Williams with his painful storytelling and western guitar.
“I find country the most comfortable genre to write songs in, that’s probably why I do it,” says Romano. “Even the songwriting’s pretty similar to my other stuff. I just like it, it’s my favourite.”
Romano’s version of classic country is timeless. Keeping a sense of humour about his craft, he imitates the sounds and styles of old country artists for his shows and music videos. He even tried to have his hair cut to look like George Jones for the music video of his single “I Won’t Let It.”
“The barber I went to didn’t know the George Jones hairstyle, so I said, ‘The Elvis,’ and, ‘Leave it over the ears,’” he says.
Romano believes his new album is a step forward. There’s more of an emphasis on storytelling and hints of humour throughout, he explains.
“Come Cry With Me is just straight country all the way through and that’s what I wanted to do,” he says. “The stories come from my brain, or things I heard. Usually I just make it up. I like to think I’m a good storyteller. The key to country music is you gotta sing it like it happened to you, but thankfully it didn’t.”
Romano will be the opening act for married indie country duo Whitehorse when he plays in Victoria. Their sound is a lot more modern and intimate with pretty vocals and twangy guitar. Romano says he was asked to change his live show slightly to match the group he’s sharing a stage with.
“Whitehorse is just a duo so they wanted me to perform as a duo,” he says. “It’s just gonna be me and my friend Spencer. Two guitars, two harmonies.”
Daniel Romano
Sunday, January 27
Upstairs Cabaret, $18
upstairscabaret.ca