Romancer
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2015
Music
Press
Ever gone through the Bandcamp tags or deliberately tried to find new bands to listen to? Well, that’s how I originally came across Kitchener, Ontario’s Romancer. The four-piece poppunk band featuring Adam Horrocks (guitar/vocals), Riley O’Donnell (guitar/vocals), Ben Abu Halaga-Dilgert (bass), and Nathan Cumber (drums), opened for Somos and Free Throw at Sneaky Dee’s on September 23rd, 2016.
Their sound is unique, a touch of alternative mixed with emo and poppunk. Having recently released their debut EP “As We Both Close in on the Water”, Romancer opened for Somos with some great jams. Although I would have enjoyed some breakdowns throughout the set instead of just at the end, their entire set was amazing and the members were full of lots of energy. - What We Listen To
This week on In Frequency, Eleanor Grace chats with Adam Horrocks and Riley O’Donnell of Romancer about their debut record As We Both Close In On The Water. The two talk about their recent name change and artistic rebirth, the inspiration behind the record, and their hopes for where the release will take them as an up-and-coming band – as well as reminiscing about the golden days of the Southern Ontario scene and even filling out a Myspace bulletin survey for maximum nostalgia. - In Frequency with Eleanor Grace
Daly: To get to know the band a little bit, if someone has never heard of Romancer before but they wind up at one of your shows, what would they be in for?
Adam: Something explosive, we’re just kind of all over the place. Especially with songs later in the set we just try to end the show with kind of a huge finale. There’s the one track, the final track off the upcoming LP, it’s called “Bad Clover” and it’s this three minute super aggressive post rock outro where guitars are flailing and we’re just trying to get more aggressive on stage.
When we play with more chill bands and they see that they’re just kind of like, “What’s happening right now” and that’s kind of what happens every time we play that song. That songs becoming a favorite because it’s just so explosive and silly and ridiculous.
Daly: So when people see you the general reaction is, “What the hell is going on?”
Adam: [laughs] Yeah, basically
Daly: A bit of random question and it’s kind of a hard one, but if you could have anyone in the world listen to the new album who would it be?
Adam: Whoa, can I pick like five people?
Daly: Ya sure
Adam: Um Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World, he’s one of the coolest musicians on the planet, one of the most influential to me. Dallas Green for sure. Moneen. Going back to our set Moneen is like the gods when it comes to being ridiculous on stage and being wild. Um…Obama..
Daly: [Laughs] Yah you get the record in his hands things might happen for you
Adam: He doesn’t even need to share it to anyone I just want Obama to be like, “Yah Adam’s great, all the best to you dude” - Under The Radar with Ryan Daly
Discography
Debut LP "As We Both Close in on the Water" - Released: June 10, 2016
Single "Birds in Smoke" - Released: January 20, 2016
EP "Columbia Lake" - Released: January 2, 2015
Photos
Bio
They may be young, but creating music is what this band does best. Romancer released their debut LP “As We Both Close in on the Water” only a few short months ago in June. Within days they spiked the attention of LA based Punk label Wiretap Records, who has since been keeping watch. Really focusing on fine-tuning this record, and making sure every layer and musical element was knit-picked perfectly, the band had one goal. Give the listeners not only a well-written album, but also a live show toeing the line between soft intimacy and explosive aggressiveness.
Growing up in Kitchener-Waterloo, the band spent their teen years going to local gigs and playing in different bands around the tri-cities area. It was this undying love for music and the local punk scene that drove these four individuals to join forces and create something they can be proud of. Having the same interest in more established bands like Moneen, Brand New and Jimmy Eat World, it only solidified that the current members would make some great tunes together.
“This record was the birth of us finally experimenting and discovering the joys of experimenting” Adam Horrocks (guitar/vocals) said during a radio interview with Eleanor Grace on In Frequency. Riley O’Donnell (guitar/vocals), in the same interview said, “A good record we could compare this to is “Your Favorite Weapon” by Brand New. There are so many little nuances in that album, and so many different things they didn’t mean to do that just kind of came out, and that’s what we tried to aim for with this record; we tried a bunch of things, and some things would happen by mistake and we would just keep them in there.”
Prior to changing their name to Romancer in early 2016, the band released a five track EP titled “Columbia Lake” as Lancaster. It was during this time that the band saw a member change, their writing and experimental abilities were starting to grow and they found themselves playing shows with much more credible bands. Sharing the stage with bands like Hawthorne Heights, July Talk, A Rocket to the Moon, Ten Second Epic, Courage my love, Brighter Brightest and Street Pharmacy, attracting new fans just came easy for the band.
“As We Both Close in on the Water,” released on June 10, 2016 was definitely not shy of receiving nothing but positive feedback from fans and industry personnel.
- “This is some of the best
talent I’ve seen come out of the scene since the Moneen days.” – Dan Hand,
Underground Operations
- “I’ve listened to this record quite a few times, and I must say it’s really, really good.” – Steve Kane, President, Warner Music Canada
Since the release of Romancer’s debut LP, they have been playing any show they can get their hands on. Recently sharing the stage with Hamilton locals Counterparts and receiving great social media love from the band; these four individuals will stop at nothing to prove who they are. Now focusing on heavily touring, Romancer hopes to wow their fans across Ontario, bringing them this intimate yet aggressive performance.
2017 is set for the production of a new EP,
music video and a potential US run.
Romancer is: Nathan Cumber, Ben Abu Halaga-dilgert, Adam Horrocks and Riley O’Donnell
Band Members
Links
