Recently I was able to connect with the lead vocalist/guitarist of Sublime With Rome, Rome Ramirez, to discuss the band’s latest EP called Tangerine Skies. In this interview, I asked Rome about how he and his bandmates turned the pandemic-era demos into the final cuts for Tangerine Skies, how the band chemistry has been since they acquired a new drummer, and the process for crafting their setlists when they’re on tour. Sublime With Rome will be on tour starting next month.
Thank you so much for your time today, Rome. Let’s first talk about your great new EP called Tangerine Skies. I believe it originated as some demos during the pandemic. Can you walk me through that process of getting this EP to be showroom ready?
Yeah, during the pandemic, like a lot of people, we had a lot of time on our hands. Especially being touring musicians, we were pretty much at a standstill. So we decided to use that time productively and go into a studio and try to record some music. And in there, we didn’t really walk away with anything, nothing really jumped out. And I think during that process, it was just kind of like, “Okay, the idea of just going in there and trying to just put together something like that, that’s not our style. It has to come from a real place.” So we went home and busted out the guitar and started living instead of coming off the pandemic. And then just going straight into more work and trying to figure that out, it was just like, well just live. I was having a baby. We gave birth to my daughter, and I had to turn out a bunch and just kind of started writing songs from a more simple place again, and it allowed me to kind of put together songs like “Tangerine Skies” and “Battle Scarred,” and then be able to kind of dust off some of this stuff.
So that’s awesome. And congratulations on the birth of you said, your daughter, right? That’s so exciting. Yeah, I have three kids myself, so I know what it’s like to be a father and play music for them. And yeah, my oldest is 12, my middle child is nine and my youngest is six…all spread out.
It’s funny, I’m always constantly having to explain to them the difference between their toys versus…mine. <Laughter>
Yeah, you can see some of the trinkets in my office here, too! <Laughter> I know you’ve been on tour last year with Incubus and stuff like that, but you guys are going to be hitting the road, I think, later this winter, and possibly overseas too…How are you going to craft the setlist with new material versus classics and stuff?
Well, so I always like to try and keep it like the rule of threes. Where it’s like, a third of the set of the obvious, number one monster hits that sublime has. They have six giant songs. And then another third is legacy favorites, cuts that our fans love. Like “Pawn Shop” and stuff like that. And then the other third is our original music. And the original music is what we will sub out, for a certain album cycle. We’ll be playing some of the newer stuff that we got, maybe like two songs from the EP for a little part of the set. But you know, we really like to honor the entire thing of what Sublime is. The integrity of the band, and the scope of that they were. They weren’t around for a long time, unfortunately, but they covered a lot of ground, sonically in the short amount of time that they were a band.
Absolutely! Can you think of a moment when you’ve either interacted with a fan, either online or in person where they were grateful for you still honoring the Sublime legacy?
Oh yeah, man. I mean, a lot. I get a lot of people who could tell me that to my face. I’m one of those people who have a hard time believing anyone. I can take a compliment and say thank you, but in my head, it’s like, he didn’t mean that…But I kept getting these messages on Instagram and stuff, where I think people can be a little bit more candid, without feeling judged or anything. And they tell me how certain songs just really save their life and stuff like that. And it helps remind me that just because the songs don’t have a bunch of zeros at the end of them <for Spotify numbers>, like some of the other Sublime songs, doesn’t mean that they can’t affect people in the same way. Because the success of the song, or the popularity of the song, does not really <measure> the effect that has on a person. That’s something just sacred.
Yeah, that’s great. And I’m glad people are sharing those connections with you. How does that keep you motivated as a songwriter and an artist?
It gives you purpose. I feel for a lot of artists in the beginning, as a lot of it is, it is self-fulfilling. It’s your vision, and it’s this baby that you’ve had in this passion, and then if you’re lucky enough as a musician to get to a point where you amass a following where people actually give a shit about what you’re doing…I mean, that’s success in itself. And there’s a responsibility that is sort of handed to you, if you choose to accept it.
Yeah, absolutely! The last time I saw you guys play, I think it was with The Offspring at a local amphitheater. Can you think of some great tour stories that you’ve learned from these seasoned veterans that you put back into your own band?
A lot of the tour stories, you can’t really talk about, but a lot of them kind of circle around the same sort of ethos, which is primarily to be grateful, and put in the work. And treat people well. There’s this quote that I keep hearing in my head, “The same people you meet on the way up, are the same people you meet on the way down,” and it couldn’t be more true. That rings true for all businesses, but in music, it’s very much so as well. Because everybody in this business is strongly fueled by your effort and your participation, and how much you work for it. I mean, you can treat people like shit, you can overlook opportunities, you can be not grateful for certain things and get your blessings. But I just think from the people that I’ve been touring with, and that I’ve seen, and the most successful people that I’ve ever been honored to be around, that is the ethos that they live off of: that sense of gratitude.
Yeah, and that’s a great message just to pass down to younger bands/artists as well…
Absolutely.
Yeah, and you also did a couple different collaborative songs, like the one you did with Slightly Stoopid, called “Cool and Collected.” What was that process like to work with an artist like that?
In today’s world, to get features and collaborations, a lot of times, it’s so many emails back and forth. And hammering out the details and the dates and all that. Yet this was so organic. Miles, one of the singers for Slightly Stoopid, he was at a festival that I was at, and I was walking by, and I saw Miles, and we were talking, and he had a great idea. He’s like, “Dude, we’re going on tour this summer, we should write a song together that we perform every night.” And I said, “That’s a great idea, I’m going to the studio tomorrow to go record our album. So perfect timing!” And so that was honestly like the first song that I cooked up when I was out there. We took these demos and ideas that I’ve been putting together over the last couple of years. And I went out to Texas to really record them and get them done right. And take them out of the demo <stage>. And so that’s where we tacked on the song, “Cool and Collected.” And I put together like this little startup idea and I sent it over to those guys. And they loved it! They were really stoked on how it came out. And they put their band <magic> on it and really took it to the next level and sent it back over to me. And I was just like, “Dude, this is amazing.” I had the record wrapped up in 48 hours. That never happens.
That’s great. Are you currently in your home studio? I was just looking in the background behind you. Can you walk me through, on a daily basis, what your days are typically like?
I mean, so every day, I get in the studio at about nine, if I can talk my wife into it…And I have a list of stuff that I’m always working on. So I have to separate my time, but I usually pull up music, and I get going until I reach a place where I’m either hitting the wall or feeling uninspired. This is a really weird setup that I have here in my house because it’s like in the top part of <the house> It’s in the attic closet, kinda. There’s no window, and I lose track of time. And I love natural light. But yeah, I have everything I need here within arm’s reach. I have a mixing station over here and a keyboard over here. Another full size keyboard here with some gear and pedals. And I’m able to really take ideas and record them right here on the fly. Because for me, it’s always about how fast I can get the idea from my head, out. Before it leaves or before I change it, right? So, yeah, I’m really big on trying to keep everything going as fast as possible.
That’s awesome. And I understand you’ve welcomed a new drummer named Joe Tamina. How’s that partnership working out so far?
Joe is great. He’s absolutely incredible. He’s honestly one of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with, his ears are just so sophisticated. So much taste. We always joke that he’s like, your drummer’s favorite drummer. He’s just a killer <on drums>, and yet he’s such a sweetheart of a guy. We’re at the point now where we’re sounding the best we’ve ever sounded. And it’s just like the caliber of musician he is. And then, with me, I’ve been doing this now for 15 years. So I’m like, these guys have always been really good. Down to the point where I feel like I’m still becoming better at what I do. So, yeah, it’s a fun time.
Is there any major plans for when the self-titled, Sublime, gets to 30 years old? I know you did one celebration for 25, but are there any tentative plans for 30? Plus, as you mentioned, it’ll be close to 15 years of Sublime w/ Rome…
That’s crazy. For me, I’ve always put everything into Sublime. And then when I’m off the road, I really dive into things like my family, and then just producing or writing for other artists. That’s always been a huge passion for me. But my music has taken a backseat because that’s been something that I’ve just been really wanting to…now especially that I have children, I like to tell them stories from my side, of this amazing adventure that I’ve lived. So I foresee myself kind of focusing and really putting together a solo album, and really kind of hitting that project next. Give it the time that it needs.
Is there anything else that you would care to share for either Sublime with Rome, or potentially the solo project that you’re teasing?
Well, with Sublime, we have another half of an EP that we plan on releasing, probably next year. And yeah, I’m always putting stuff online. So if you follow me on Instagram, or TikTok, I’m always just working on new stuff, ideas, and all kinds of stuff. So I gotta feel from where I’m at. And just a quick “thank you” to everybody for listening and supporting me.
Alright, thanks so much! It was great seeing you, Rome, and so much fun connecting with you.
Cool, man. Have a good one, Adam!
All right, take care. I appreciate your time.