Dino
Romanelli
Interview by Shauna Skye
I originally found Dino Romanelli while surfing the Reaper Station online. A lot of bad songs came through my speakers that day, but when "American Beauty" started I stopped what I was doing just to listen to it.
Later, I visited Dino's web page, and ended up liking every song he had posted. I find his style to have a Tom Petty-ish classic rock/pop feel--without the Petty vocals--and the songs catchy enough to have me humming them around the house. At the time I did a radio show and started playing Dino regularly. His tune "Invisible Man" became a particular favorite among the listeners and inspired much discussion. Lyrical gems like "I sleep on the couch . . . I just sit on my ass, watch a lot of tv" struck a chord with current and former slackers. Dino has said on more than one occasion "The song is about my life before I had one."
Often Dino would pop into the chat I hosted during my radio show. He was always one of my favorite visitors because of his humor and the fact that he insisted his rabbit Bradley did most of the typing. I got a kick out of him.
It was only a matter of time before I interviewed Dino. He's a super nice fellow, and our dialogue went as follows...
SHAUNA: Dino, you're one of my favorite underground artists. In your own words, how would you describe your music to people who have never heard it?
DINO: I would say that it’s an acoustic/electric/folk/rock thing with good lyrics and good vocals. If you like the Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers and other groups in that vein, then I think you’ll like my music. It’s music I think a lot of people can relate to, and it’s catchy too!
SHAUNA: Who were some of your early musical influences?
DINO: Well, I was surrounded by Beatles music growing up, and I especially liked John Lennon's writing. Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Warren Zevon were big early favorites also. And anything with good harmonies . . . that was the thing that really got me going was harmony!
SHAUNA: What modern artists do you like?
DINO: Music by groups like The Dave Matthews Band and Radiohead is great. I also like stuff like David Gray and Staind. But right now, there’s a whole online scene bursting with great talent and great songs, and the labels, as well as the people at large, are really missing out. People should be turning on the radio and hearing artists like Dislife and Serena Matthews and 231. It’s just not there yet.
SHAUNA: Who are your band mates? Tell us a bit about them.
DINO: I actually have a new live band, which I am very excited about. After a REALLY long and difficult search, I found my old friend Ron Anfuso, who played with me in a group called The Affordables a few years back. Ron’s a great lead guitar player, and does a great job with the vocal harmonies. He had been playing in the Dallas Taylor Band (former drummer for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) with Tony Bartholio, who’s simply the best bass player I’ve ever worked with. My drummer, Tom Beattie, and I have been crossing paths for years in bands like Troy and Family Dog. He’s a great player, very dedicated and the best to work with. I’m very fortunate to have these guys. And yes, they paid me a lot to say this!
SHAUNA: If I ran a record label I’d sign you. Dino, if the labels come calling would you prefer a major deal or do you think a smaller label would better suit you?
DINO: A major would be great, of course. But I’d be worried about how much control and input I would be allowed, things that would probably be more accessible with a smaller label, as well as a more personal relationship. I think I’d be more comfortable with a smaller one, but if the big guys were flexible, you never know…how’s that for an open ended answer!
SHAUNA: I’d like to hear about your animals. I know you have adorable rabbits, and I saw you had a site making gift baskets for little critters. Tell me more about this.
DINO: Well, the gift basket thing didn’t work out. It was an online store, and we just couldn’t get people to go there. But the animals are all great. The count right now is at four cats (Hawk, Hazel, Harriet and Hank) and three rabbits (Billy, Bradley and Becky), always subject to change. They’re all amazing, and they’re all rescues, which I think is the only way to go about it. You get to save a wonderful creature and you get a great companion and friend at the same time. I’ll always be for helping out animals and children.”
SHAUNA: When and where do you usually play live?
DINO: We don’t have anything regular set up yet, so right now it’s anywhere and anytime for us. Which means that, because we’re in the Los Angeles area, we will be very busy during the next year. I’m open to pretty much all shows and venues, and a tour would be great as well. It’s great to be getting back to the stages!
SHAUNA: What inspires your music?
DINO: Everything around me. All I see, hear, feel, it’s all food for songs. I can be very introverted, and music is my way of keeping things from bottling up. My songs are a kind of pressure valve- keeps me from exploding and keeps me sane.
SHAUNA: I understand you used to be a couch potato. Was your life really like the song “Invisible Man”?
DINO: You have NO idea how true that song really is! I like to think of “Invisible Man” as the story of my life before I actually had one. But really, I think that any guy who has ever been single can relate to this song, as can any girl who’s ever spent time in a single mans apartment….
SHAUNA: Out of all the songs you’ve written, which is your current favorite?
DINO: That’s a tough one, because all of the songs from the album keep growing on me more and more. “American Beauty” and “Invisible Man” are the most personal ones. “On The Bus” and “Standing Still” get better every time I play them live. “Big Black Hole”, “Back Into My Life”…. It’s a tough choice. To be honest, I have ten favorites right now. It would be just too hard to pick one.
SHAUNA: If you had a motto, what would it be?
DINO: Do what you believe is right and go for your dreams. Just don’t hurt anyone (yourself included) in the process.
SHAUNA: Where can people get hold of your music?
DINO: You can buy my album “Standing Still” at www.cdbaby.com/dinoromanelli. Hurry…. still have copies available!
SHAUNA: Anything you’d like to shamelessly promote?
DINO: You can always check my live events tab at mp3.com to see where and when we will be playing…. And like I said before, this is going to be a very busy year!”
SHAUNA: Is there anything you were hoping I’d ask you about but I didn’t? If so, the floor is yours.
DINO: I see a lot of online artists complaining about OMD sites. I think that it’s important to remember that we have tools at our disposal that generations of musicians before us could never have dreamed of. Our music is heard in places that it would have never had the chance to before. Sure, there are some bugs to be worked out, but we’re a pretty damn lucky bunch of artists! And I believe that someday, the here and now of the music industry will be here on sites like these. We’re gonna be remembered by our grandchildren as pioneers in music, just like Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry are today. But the live shows will always be the best times- nothing beats facing a live audience.
SHAUNA: Thanks Dino. You rule!