Romi Peles returns with the release of 'BABY BUNNY', the hypnotic lead single from his new LP 'Break Up Album Vol. 2'. Blending psychedelic trip-hop, lo-fi funk-pop, and late-night confessional energy, the track captures the tension between playful charm and private collapse.
Raised in San Francisco and trained as a classical guitarist, Romi’s music has always resisted easy categorisation. From the minimalist intimacy of 'Old Scrapbook' to the sprawling social commentary of 'Digital Dystopia', he’s consistently redefined what it means to make personal music. But with 'Break Up Album Vol. 2', he turns the lens inward, processing familial upheaval, romantic fallout, and creative reckoning with unfiltered vulnerability and groove-heavy precision.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
My brother wanted to take guitar lessons so my parents bought him this small classical guitar. It was in the house and I started picking and that’s how my relationship with the guitar started.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up listening to what was at the house, a lot of records my parents had, binging MTV in the early 2000s . Classics like Led Zeppelin, Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix. My mom really loved Collective Soul and David Bowie & the Doors, The list is long. We also grew up on Disney soundtracks like The Jungle Book and Nintendo soundtracks of the games we played . Donkey Kong Country soundtrack is my favorite.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My parents had a lot of CDs growing up. I remember I was really drawn to Peter and the Wolf by Jack Lancaster & Robin Lumley. It’s a rock version of Peter and the Wolf and it’s amazing I was also in love with Discovery by Daft Punk.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Can’t choose one so I will give you three . Something About Us by Daft Punk. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles. And The Zephyr Song by RHCP.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not really rituals but I already know how to recognize when it comes. When it comes it comes and I gotta record a voice memo and put down some lyrics so I capture it . That’s the best feeling in the world. It depends if you’re in the studio and trying to come up with stuff or if you’re not really trying to write new stuff. If I am working on new stuff on purpose, of course I can go through a lot of recordings and material to revisit them. That helps a lot and probably just sitting on the guitar a lot to find stuff. But if I am not trying to write new stuff, sometimes a new song can just arrive to you and that’s a great feeling.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I just discovered Underworld and have been listening to their album Beaucoup Fish . Went back listening to To Record Only Water for Ten Days by John Frusciante, which is a favorite of mine. And also into a lot of Japanese music lately, been listening to this band called Fishmans, which I really like, and a lot of other artists whose name is hard to pronounce.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world who would it be?
Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I get to channel my pain and problems in life into a creation. That is the most healing thing there is. And not only that, you put that creation out in the world and it can be in someone else’s heart and help someone else. That is crazy for me to think about each time . You are making dreams come true. You are developing yourself and getting to express yourself better as time goes by and I think that’s the best part.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating thing is cable management in the studio or when I pick up the guitar from the stand and the belt catches the stand and flips it. It can drive me nuts . Hahah no but seriously I am not sure. Promoting your work in a constantly changing world can be frustrating. It's a challenge. Not being able to play what you’re trying and struggling transcribing or finding the right sound can be frustrating, but I guess those are moments you just gotta go through and they pay off It can be frustrating to see the world getting more cynical than ever and it’s frustrating that you have to be visible on media today, cannot be invisible.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I remember a friend’s dad who was a great musician told us ‘to write is to improvise slow’ and that stuck with me so if you wanna write just improvise slow and if you wanna improvise just try to write fast. Other good advice I got lately is - Don’t think about the money just try to write the best music you possibly can at this given time and the era you’re in and put it out. Write and play what you would want to hear from your favorite players . Minimize your screen time.
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Romi Peles' new single 'BABY BUNNY' is out now. Check it out in the player below.