Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Roma.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alex. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Definitely! From late 2014-2019, I was making rap music under the stage name Schec, which was my childhood nickname. Growing up as a kid in Atlanta, rap and hip-hop was always there and was always on. I think that’s why I gravitated towards it for my own music. It was the outlet that made most sense at the time. Within these 4-5 years, a time in which I was at college in Pennsylvania, I accomplished more than I ever thought I could or would. I went on nationwide tours, supporting artists bigger than myself, while slowly building a steady fanbase online and at these shows. Although making rap music was something that I loved doing, I knew that it was not the music that I was meant to make.
Deep down, I’ve always had a passion for pop records with big instruments and a massive chorus. I had, and still never have, done any sort of singing in a school choir or vocal training. I’m still scared of showing my voice, but I knew that I had to start somewhere if I was going to be truly happy with my art. It’s ok to be vulnerable! That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned. In early 2019, I began a complete rebrand, and I decided to change my stage name and the genre of music that I was making. Now going by Alex Roma, I’ve been able to begin creating my own pop sound, and I’ve never been happier. Some of my inspirations include LAUV, black bear, FLETCHER, LANY, and 1975. For example, I’m really a fan of guitar-driven tracks and synths, but I’m also really into artists like blackbear and FLETCHER, who are making these really fascinating big alternative pop tracks.
After graduating from college in 2018 with a major in Political Science and a minor in Italian, I began working at TapIn. A technology startup focused on bringing organized youth soccer to children in developing nations. That is currently my full-time job, but I’ve been able to keep focussing on the music. It’s the best of both worlds, in my opinion.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not always been a smooth road, but that is part of the journey. I would not trade anything that has happened or the lessons that I have learned. Learning about making music and the music industry itself, along the way, has been difficult but worth it in the end.
I think the biggest obstacle that I have faced, and even face today, is the rebrand of my stage name and genre. The people that began following my music between 2014-2019 were there for my rap music. It’s been a process of keeping these listeners engaged while also trying to reach new fanbases.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I make music under the stage name Alex Roma. Stylistically, I make music that most people would consider indie pop. I personally don’t like being boxed in with genres, but I understand their purpose. I just love making all sorts of pop music, whether it be alternative pop, indie pop, pop-rock, or more commercial based pop.
I’m really proud that I was able to do most of the things I have accomplished on my own. I have booked all of my shows and tours, where I supported bigger artists. I also never had many friends who made music, so I had to learn many things on my own. For example, it wasn’t until recently where I became truly comfortable using Pro-Tools to make and record my own music. Better late than never, though!
I hope one thing that sets me apart from other artists is just the way that I am as a human being in relation to my music. I want to be as down to earth and friendly as possible. The people listening to my music are literally taking time out of their days to put my music on or tell their friends about me… I’ll always be incredibly grateful, which I hope everyone knows. I don’t ever want to be the type of person who will refuse a photo after a show and such. I’ve met artists like that, and I think it’s corny. I will always put the people who support me above everything. It’s mutual in my eyes.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is probably visiting Italy for the first time. I was 13 years old, and I went with my grandparents (both of them are fluent in Italian and they stay in Rome for a portion of each year). My dad also speaks Italian so I was always so intrigued about going and learning about this place. I was constantly hearing about at home. Once there, I immediately fell in love with the city of Rome. No matter where you go, you are literally standing in history. Maybe I’m a nerd, which is fine with me, but I love that so much. I can remember stepping out of the metro station at Piazza di Spagna (The Spanish Steps in Rome), and the magic of the heat, the calmness in the air, the rush of Italians sprinkled in with the masses of tourists, and the noises of Vespas zipping by did it for me. Since then, I began learning Italian in high school, and then I studied abroad at the University of Bologna. I like to tell people that my biggest goal in life is to have a place of my own in Rome someday.
Contact Info:
- Website: alexroma.co
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamalexroma
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamalexroma/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamalexroma/
- Other: https://smarturl.it/LNTAAGT
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