Premiere: Chico Romano Unveils "Making a Racket" EP
- Spenser Judd
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
Brooklyn-based indie artist, Chico Romano unveils their latest collection of songs "Making a Racket EP" with a free flow approach inspired by a quote in Richard Hell’s autobiography:
“I love a racket. I love it when it seems like a group is slipping in and out of phase, when something lags and then slides into a pocket, like hitting the number on a roulette wheel…It’s like a baby learning how to walk, or a little bird just barely avoiding a crash to the dirt, or two kids losing their virginity. It’s awkward but it’s riveting, and uplifting and funny.”
With band members scattered across state lines, multi-instrumentalist Rob Romano stayed true to their bedroom pop roots while taking the throne on drums for the first time on a full project. With all instruments performed in single takes, this project shaped up to be Romano's exercise with patience. Setting perfectionism aside lets the creative mind fly. Released by Austin, TX-based indie label Happen Twice, "Making A Racket" is a lighthearted cruise across genres and moods, so let loose and turn up the volume.
Q: How has your journey with Chico Romano been since you released your previous project, "VOL. 5" in 2022?
A: Honestly, Chico Romano has kind of been on the back burner since I moved to Brooklyn. But not in a bad way. I’ve been gaining so much XP out here and just in general. Things like joining ARTHUR’s live band on bass, going on 40 day tours with The Jack Moves opening for Yellow Days, or another tour I did with the band Kolb (Ramp Local).
I’ve gotten some awesome opportunities and I feel like playing with these new bands, meeting new musicians, getting hardened from the road—It’s all shaping me into a better artist and it’s giving me more resources to make better music. Even though I’ve been slow on the Chico output, I have A LOT of ammunition. Lots of unreleased songs, unrecorded songs, and I’ve met so many killing musicians that I want to feature.
Q: Any highlights, insights or challenges along the way?
A: There’s been plenty of challenges along the way. My band has become pretty scattered, I’ve got dudes in Morristown, Jersey City, Philly, Brooklyn, etc. So it’s hard to get everyone together. That is the reason I wrote and recorded all these songs by myself. Which is a double edged sword creatively.
I mean this is essentially what the EP is all about. Limitations, overcoming adversity, and all of my failed relationships of course.
Q: What've you been listening to lately? What types of music or instruments have you been gravitating to?
A: When I was making this EP, because it is kind of old, I was probably more informed by Syd Barrett, Harry Nilsson, Of Montreal’s album "Cherry Peel".
As of right now. Liquid Liquid, Lizzie Mercier, Richard Hell, Television. Kind of unrelated to them, a more modern dude I’ve been obsessed with: William Austin Clay. He’s a bit of an outsider artist, but also an underground legend. Real DIY music heads know what I’m talking about. He’s prolific and eclectic. I admire how uninhibited he sounds. I like the way he programs drums, the odd meter compositions, and the off-kilter guitar riffs. I really could go on and on about how great he is.
Our live sets have been sort of acoustic-electric twee jazz. So in resistance to that, and this new EP, I’m kind of back on my punk writing. And also I’m back on my midi/ computer music writing.
Q: Could you describe how "Making a Racket" came together? How did your approach to recording this new EP differ from previous projects?
A: This EP differs from previous projects because I played every single instrument on these songs. Drums included. This is the only body of work where I’ve played everything. I mean I guess I played all the instruments on a couple singles, but never a whole EP.
I would start by playing drums to a metronome and I was really bad at drums at the time. I would play the drums for 1 to 2 minutes as best as I could. Whatever I improvised in that moment would become the structure of the song.
And I tried to write songs in an uninhibited sort of way. I know it’s a cliché but artists are their own worst enemies, at least I am. I am constantly in my own way, so with these songs I was like “Let’s just let the songs have mistakes. Let’s just put them out.” It’s more about the energy than the execution. I’m a huge perfectionist, and a little bit of a coward, so believe me this was hard to do. But it feels very liberating.
Q: What're your plans for the rest of the year? Do you intend to tour outside of the East Coast anytime soon?
A: Probably no big tours until we can get a booking agent or some bigger support opportunities. New York really is the place to be in a lot of senses, so I don’t feel much urgency to leave. I’m just trying to focus on making the best music I can. And to keep growing and building my community here in the northeast. If it is God’s will, then we shall tour. Until then, we grind.
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