When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March, Sublime with Rome vocalist Rome Ramirez had a hard time finding solace in music.

“For me and for a couple of my friends, who are also creatives, we just found it really kinda difficult to just dive right in,” Ramirez tells ABC Audio.

However, he’s returned to making music in recent months, specifically with his Rome & Duddy project, which also features Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell of Dirty Heads. Earlier this year, the pair released a joint cover of the Van Morrison song “And It Stoned Me,” and they’ve since begun working on new, original tunes.

“We’re planning on recording here in my home studio — super safe — and finishing up all the details on the writing and stuff,” Ramirez says of the new material. “We plan on dropping some music probably, like, fall.”

Tonally, Ramirez describes Rome & Duddy’s music as about “togetherness” and “celebration,” which he feels are relevant themes in today’s COVID world.

“Our music couldn’t be more better-timed for what’s going on,” he says. “It’s in a time where we need to celebrate togetherness. And that’s kinda what it is, it’s just really feel-good-type music.” 

Sublime with Rome, meanwhile, released their latest album, Blessings, in May 2019.

By Josh Johnson
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