From Brooklyn to Amsterdam: Inside Rome 56's New Album with Arthur Lamonica
Arthur Lamonica recently sat down for an insightful interview with Its Psychedelic Baby all about new Rome 56 album, Paradise Is Free.
Think Like A Key Music artist Rome 56 has just released their latest album, "Paradise Is Free," and the band's guitarist and songwriter, Arthur Lamonica, recently sat down for an insightful interview with Its Psychedelic Baby.
Lamonica, also known for his work with the legendary New York band The Shirts, discussed how his background has influenced the sound and direction of Rome 56's new album. "Most of the things I learned in music happened while I was with The Shirts," he shared. "With Rome 56, I was able to develop more of my own sound—introducing more acoustic guitar and folk-pop rock."
"Paradise Is Free" is a sonic tapestry woven from threads of acoustic folk and Beatles-esque flair. Lamonica cites The Beatles' "Help!" album as a template for his songwriting and recording process on this album, incorporating acoustic guitar, piano, bass, and drums.
The album was recorded between New York and Amsterdam, and Lamonica explains how these contrasting locations impacted the recording process. “In NY, it was more piecemeal—I laid down demos and recorded parts according to the band’s availability," he explains. "Being in Europe is like being on vacation, even with the gigs and all.”
The album's opening track, "Man Behind the Man With a Gun," sets an intriguing tone with its ambiguous lyrics. Lamonica shares that the inspiration came from a classic Western movie and explores the concept of the instigators behind violence.
Other standout tracks, like "Hustle of the Crowd" and "Invisible Man," further showcase the album's range of musical styles and contribute to its thematic narrative.
Lamonica also reflects on his upbringing in Brooklyn, his early musical influences, and the formation of The Shirts. He even shares some memorable stories from his time with The Shirts, including recording their debut album in London and touring with Peter Gabriel.
Read the full interview on Its Psychedelic Baby here.
Don't forget to check out Rome 56's new album, "Paradise Is Free," available now!
