Fresno, California-based roman around share their haunting and muscular “Star Signs,” set for digital release on January 26th through Trailing Twelve Records.

The band acts as a vehicle for the songs of Roman Rivera, an accomplished drummer and multi-instrumentalist. Rivera identifies as non-binary and pansexual, an identity they are proud to represent within the LGBTQ community. With both Mexican and Native American heritage, Rivera grew up in a community of spirituality and was quick to note the wide acceptance of astrology within their friends and family.

The brooding and expansive soundscape of “Star Signs” sets the sonic groundwork for an incisive critique of popular astrology and a culture of commodified spirituality. Rivera’s songwriting strikes a balance between insightful criticism and personal reflection, offering flippant astrological inquiry [“but you never touch the sunlight / who does it tell you to love?”] along with angst-fueled resolutions [“to hell with my fake friends / they don’t ever like my presence”].

“star signs” is an observation. For a long time I’ve noticed that people have petite prejudice towards people under various astrological signs. It’s nothing crazy, but it’s just stupid. I’ve heard people say they don’t like Sagittarius folk, but like scorpios. My signs are on the cusp of both, so does this make me more likable? 

That’s what it’s about. I recorded the song in my garage, I usually start from drums and then spend hours designing synths. I discover melodies and let the elements mush with everything. Eventually I discovered the form and let the song take its course.”

They reveal.

“Star Signs” blends dazzling percussion, cosmic synths, and burly bass tones to build a seismic production that beautifully contrasts Rivera’s airy and emotionally raspy vocal. Recorded entirely in their home studio in Fresno, Rivera shares some additional detail on the production process below.

“My creative process always changes – they confess – Right now I remind myself through the entire process to not take myself too seriously. All the time I write little ideas that I eventually combine. When I combine the ideas it just becomes trial and error. If everything is working but one idea, I’ll spend lots of time listening to music and take little bits of ideas from jazz solos to form melodies and chords, revisit hip hop drum beats, or 80’s bass lines.”

When we asked them about one of the proudest achievements in their career now, they revealed that

“I don’t know if it’s an achievement, but probably just having the connections I have. I have a lot of friends that believe in me, that itself I’m very proud of”