Ahead of the release of her highly-anticipated debut album Are We There Yet? this October, Melbourne-based singer songwriter Romanie shares new single ‘Cannot Have It All’ – an ode to growing comfortable with life’s uncertainty.
Romanie draws audiences in with her intuitive ability to translate the most complex, unpredictable (and oftentimes messy) emotions into her songwriting. ‘Cannot Have It All’ gracefully channels some of the album’s most integral themes, with sophisticated production that allows Romanie’s one-of-a-kind voice to take the spotlight.
“‘Cannot Have It All’ is one of those special songs to me that feel like a little magic mystery. I only vaguely remember getting inspired and writing it in one sitting during the School Of Song workshop facilitated by Courtney Marie Andrews. The homework prompt involved sitting down in silence and meditating (something I fear, because I can’t sit still). I was thinking about my life at the time and how it always felt like whenever something was going well, something bad was on the horizon too (this is why I can’t sit still, doom thinking). I think I even said out loud ‘well, we can’t have it all, can we?’ and then I came up with a fictional character that was living all these experiences of deception and change.
I had already been writing a bunch of songs for the album and they all seemed to be coming back to transition, time and timing – something which ‘Cannot Have It All’ ties back to again and again. I really wanted to have a song on my album that felt repetitive in some ways, like you’re being stuck in a loop.” Romanie
Recorded at Treehouse Studio, Pakenham, ‘Cannot Have It All’ was co-produced by Romanie Assez & acclaimed producer Alex O’Gorman (Angie McMahon, BATTS), before being entrusted to Isaac Barter (Alex The Astronaut, Didirri) for mastering.
“When I showed this song to Alex O’Gorman (Gormie) in the studio, I could immediately see his enthusiasm and ideas. We had Lachlan O’Kane in on drums that day and apart from being an amazing drummer he turned out to also be an exceptional piano player. We were jokingly saying he was like Elton John and he played as if he were, and Gormie literally screamed ‘this part is staying in!’. I have very fond memories of recording that song, everything came so naturally.” Romanie
Stemming from an innate desire to express creativity through personal and engaging storytelling, Romanie’s discography converses with complex personal themes of grief, trauma, movement and translation. Her forthcoming debut album Are We There Yet? is the culmination of her remarkable music journey so far, having captivated audiences for over four years with her artistry.
‘Cannot Have It All’ will join previous singles ‘Keep Sweet’, ‘Anthony’, ‘Hallucinating’ and ‘Fortune Teller’ on the album, as well as the title track ‘Are We There Yet?’ – which garnered support from triple j, triple j Unearthed, and community radio, as well as editorial coverage from the likes of Pilerats, The Music and Tone Deaf.
“The whole album is basically an ode to my obsession with time, timing and movement in space and time. Being uncomfortable and real, it’s the first time I’ve been completely honest with myself throughout writing songs and saying things as they are without trying to be poetic or trying to impress someone.” Romanie
A seasoned performer with incredible on-stage energy, Romanie is excited to announce the Are We There Yet? headline tour – kicking it off with an official album launch at Northcote Social Club on November 16, before a run of East Coast dates commencing in February 2024.
ROMANIE – ARE WE THERE YET? TOUR DATES
Thursday Nov 16, 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Thursday Feb 8, 2024 – The Vanguard, Sydney
Friday Feb 9, 2024 – Towradgi Beach Hotel, Wollongong
Friday Feb 16, 2024 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Friday Feb 23, 2024 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
Sunday Feb 25, 2024 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
Saturday Mar 2, 2024 – Tanswell’s Hotel, Beechworth