Rome after Sublime: A California soul all his own

Rome Ramirez wasn’t built in a day.

Originally, he was a young fan of Sublime who loved playing the guitar, growing up in a household that blended Mexican and American cultures in Fremont, California. At 18 years old, he pursued his passion for music by moving to Los Angeles. Despite facing challenges such as working menial jobs and living in a van, he eventually managed something extraordinary: He became the lead vocalist of his beloved band.

In 2009, thirteen years following the demise of Sublime’s original frontman Bradley Nowell, Rome established friendships with the remaining band members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson. As a result, he assumed the lead vocalist role in Sublime with Rome, performing for an already dedicated fan base at amphitheaters across the globe. Concurrently, behind the stage, Rome delved into songwriting, honing his skills in Los Angeles’ studio scene and accumulating writing credits on tracks by Enrique Iglesias and Selena Gomez.

Over time, the band began to seem more like a day job than a passion. Following numerous member shifts, Sublime with Rome announced their final tour in 2024. As he reflects, “For most of my time in Sublime, our recording schedule was relentless. I understood that pursuing a solo career demands all your energy if you’re serious about it, so that wasn’t an option for me.

Although Rome had lived in California all his life, he relocated his family to Nashville at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in Music City, USA, has its benefits, such as a less rushed lifestyle and accomplishing more errands each day compared to LA, according to him with a chuckle. However, he now notes that he and his kids are among the few Latinos residing in their neighborhood.

According to Rome, numerous individuals decide to depart from California. However, they often criticize the state, a sentiment that doesn’t resonate with him due to its profound influence on his identity and cultural background. Raised as a Mexican-American in California, he identifies strongly with Chicano culture. Regardless of where life may take him, he will always cherish Los Angeles.

15 years with Sublime with Rome behind him, the 37-year-old is venturing out on his own as a solo artist. His music blends a West Coast fusion of sunny reggae and hip hop rhythms that are perfect for summer – similar to his latest single “Slow & Easy,” which he collaborated with Dirty Heads, friends from the days when he used to sleep in his van.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m excited to share that my first single from the upcoming EP titled “Gemini” is out now. This piece embodies the duality of my music, as I believe it’s essential not to be confined within a single genre. The EP will be available for streaming on September 19th. Furthermore, I’ve announced a series of tour dates across the U.S., kicking off in Destin, Florida, starting from September 17th. Can’t wait to bring my music to you all!

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

As a musician deeply rooted in my craft, touring with Sublime felt like the perfect platform to showcase my songwriting skills. Over time, I had the opportunity to collaborate with artists I admired greatly, such as Selena Gomez, Jason Derulo, and Enrique Iglesias. This experience was a fulfillment of a childhood dream – composing tunes in my mom’s basement. Stepping out on my own as a solo artist felt like the next logical step in my journey, allowing me to continue sharing my passion for music with the world.

As a dedicated cinema-goer, it wasn’t until the pandemic struck that I found myself with an unexpected break from Sublime with Rome tours. This sudden change left me at home with a newfound hobby: live streaming concerts. To my surprise, these sessions attracted audiences of 500 to a thousand people! As one of the early adopters in my music community, equipped with cameras and ready for action in the studio, I decided to embark on a journey through Sublime’s discography. I started by streaming every song from their albums, then moved onto Sublime with Rome albums, and even covered some tracks along the way.

After approximately six months of this musical marathon, I found myself running out of songs – a predicament that had my fans inquiring about any new creations or projects I might be working on. The truth was, I hadn’t been writing music for myself in quite some time. But the enthusiasm and encouragement from my audience gave me the push I needed to dive back into my own musical endeavors!

In the past, I avoided delving too deeply into my traumatic experiences from growing up with drugs in the household. However, during the pandemic, I found myself returning to music as a form of escape and self-expression, exploring sounds that I loved and were familiar to me from childhood. As I delved deeper into this process, I began to confront and address some wounds from my past that I had previously hidden away. After a while, I had accumulated several songs, but I felt that they didn’t fit with the Sublime with Rome set. This passion project started to feel more like a job than a source of joy, which I couldn’t stand. So I asked myself whether I wanted to continue with Sublime with Rome for financial reasons, or if I was willing to pursue something that I truly believed in.

Before embarking on our summer tour in 2023, we’d already been discussing the future direction of our band. Looking back now, I’m really thankful for how everything turned out. We had a well-planned rollout for every aspect. It took courage to trust my instincts and stick with my faith in this music and what I am creating.

Back in my younger days, when I left the Bay Area for LA at eighteen, I stumbled upon a recording studio where the Dirty Heads were just beginning their journey. One of our earliest collaborations was “Lay Me Down,” which has since amassed an impressive 120 million plays on Spotify – a figure that still amazes me! But let’s talk about the story behind this song…

During my internship, I was primarily responsible for cleaning the floors and occasionally enjoying cheeseburgers. It was common knowledge that I had a knack for composing songs. After spending quite some time there, I formed a friendship with The Dirty Heads. One day, they casually suggested we collaborate on writing a song together.

In one of our casual get-togethers at a friend’s place, we grilled hot dogs under the sun in his backyard. A few guitars were placed on a picnic bench, inviting us to create some music. That day, we crafted the song “Lay Me Down.” It remained untouched for a year, but its melody resonated with us deeply and we couldn’t ignore its charm any longer.

Back in those days, I found myself without a permanent home, and life was passing me by. But fate had other plans, as Sublime’s van pulled up one day, offering me an invite to join them on their journey. With nothing holding me back, I grabbed the opportunity and began playing my music alongside them. That one song we created together was later shared with the folks at KROQ, and it started resonating on the radio waves. The shows became packed, and it felt like magic – a divine intervention that brought us all together. We cashed our first checks, bought our first cars as a team, and our lives were forever changed from that moment on.

In your latest single “Slow and Easy,” you teamed up once more with The Dirty Heads. This is the first single released since you embarked on your solo journey. Could you share your experience during that process?

My answer: I had the pleasure of joining forces with my good friends again for the creation of this unique track. From the beginning, I knew it was something special. My goal in the studio was to create a summer anthem that evoked the vibe of Van Morrison’s records but retained the soulful essence of Uncle Kracker. I wanted to keep things straightforward and easygoing.

Together with my musical partner, Nick Bailey, we ventured in and managed to finalize that song within two hours. Upon listening to the demo later, I found myself thinking, “This is almost perfect. What if we could collaborate with the Dirty Heads? Their unique blend of rap and melody would give it a completely different feel.

They thoroughly enjoyed it. A week later, they forwarded their vocal parts to me, and I thought, “Alright, I believe this could be a strong tune.” Later on, remarkable broadcasters from various radio stations caught wind of it, and they expressed interest in giving our track a chance.

Who or what initially introduced you to the soulful, laid-back style prevalent in your music, a style reminiscent of both Motown and Bob Marley, the artists you later returned to after departing from Sublime?

While navigating my music creation during the pandemic, I found myself contemplating, “What kind of tunes resonate with me the most? What music makes me feel good?” The answer was clear: it’s Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, the Four Tops, Fiona Apple, Leon Bridges, and Van Morrison. I am particularly drawn to music that evokes a nostalgic sound of yesteryears, bringing a warm and happy feeling.

As a parent now, I’m incredibly mindful about the impact my actions and words have on the world. I aim to create a song that carries a meaningful message, yet avoids sounding didactic or preachy. Instead, I want to craft something that resonates with people in a positive and uplifting way.

What term would you use to characterize the audio ambiance of Rome?
The essence could be likened to soulful melodies. When you listen to soulful melodies, names like Teddy Pendergrass come to mind. I have a strong affinity for such music. [Consider] Bradley’s voice in Sublime, I can’t deny that he wasn’t a soulful singer.

I strongly resonate with that particular genre of music, the kind that seems genuinely authentic. To put it simply, Reggae music stirs deeply within me. Jack Johnson has also played a significant role in shaping my musical influences. In essence, my style is a blend of Reggae, Soul, and Pop tunes, as I compose straightforward songs.

Is it possible for us to discuss how your Mexican background influences the music you create or the way you perform and express yourself?

Growing up Mexican has significantly molded my overall perspective on life. Despite not speaking Spanish fluently, I was raised in bilingual households. The majority of my childhood friends were also Mexican. Watching Carlos Santana perform with Rob Thomas on TV, my father pointed out that he was Mexican too, which left a lasting impression on me. Truly amazing!

Raised with deep-rooted Mexican values, I was fortunate enough that both my parents exerted tremendous effort at their jobs. Simultaneously, family ties were always prioritized above all else – a value deeply ingrained within the Mexican culture that I’m incredibly proud to embody. As a family man myself, these principles remain significant in my daily life. We hold our work and achievements with immense pride, yet strive for balance by taking time off to enjoy leisure activities too.

What characteristics define a great summer tune?

I’d say it’s a track that you can casually enjoy without much effort. Sometimes you find yourself thinking, “This is just what I need – hop in the car, turn up the volume, and let this song carry me out the driveway.” When picturing a perfect summer song, I imagine something straightforward and easy to groove along to.

There’s a lot of discussion going on online about which song will be the anthem of summer 2025. As for me, I’ve been grooving to “Slow and Easy,” one of my own tracks. However, since my kids are playing “Golden” by “KPop Demon Hunters,” that could very well be the one capturing everyone’s heart this year. The quality of the music is mind-blowing – it reminds me of a Max Martin production!

Are you enjoying your extensive U.S. tour? So far, it’s off to a great start – we kicked things off with some shows in Florida, which have been surprisingly successful, prompting promoters to add even more dates.

In simpler terms, I’ve visited numerous similar venues with Sublime, but the atmosphere is unique. I’m performing at smaller venues now, which allows me to interact with fans before and after shows – something that isn’t feasible in amphitheaters. The experience feels reversed. When I first met Sublime, I was homeless; now, I’m back on the tour bus. It’s as if we’re starting over again, working our way up the ranks once more.

For quite some time, I’ve been developing an extensive collection of tunes, and it’s the loyal fans – a big cheer for the Romies – who have accompanied me throughout my journey. Crafting the playlist has felt like a joyous commemoration of the various chapters in my life. Needless to say, I’m having a blast with this process!

2025-09-01 19:31

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