In a candid conversation, we caught up with ROAMDxD, the artist whose unique blend of music and therapy has been making waves.
As he gears up for the arrival of a new addition to his family, ROAMDxD exudes a sense of calm amidst the whirlwind of life. From a pivotal solo performance in his school days, his passion for music burgeoned, eventually leading to a full commitment to his craft.
‘Basement Therapy: Session 1’ is a testament to his journey, an immersive experience merging music with introspection. His creative process, he shares, is fluid, rooted in authentic emotional states.
New Mexico’s landscapes serve as a backdrop, influencing his artistry and emphasizing the climb of life’s mountains. Beyond music, writing and basketball amplify his creative freedom. Spirituality provides depth and focus.
With his music, ROAMDxD seeks to foster intimacy and warmth, aiming to leave a lasting imprint on his listeners.
Happy: What are you up to today?
ROAMDxD: Hopefully not a whole lot. I have a baby on the way and 3 stepchildren so any time I can get some chill time I’m gonna take it.
Between the babies, my girl, my job and music it seems like my free time just vanishes as soon as it materializes. I worked this morning and now I’m just chatting with you guys so the day is definitely going well so far.
Happy: What’s the music scene like in your neck of the woods?
ROAMDxD: I honestly don’t know much about the music scene out here, just what I’ve heard in passing. I’ve heard some of the music and the general vibe is pretty aggressive and mostly rap. I haven’t heard an artist or song I really wanna get behind yet though. I typically stick to myself so I’m not deep in the scene.
Happy: Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in music?
ROAMDxD: Man trying to put my background into words is so difficult. I’ve moved a lot and I think that has helped my music because the inspirations from all the different people and places just seem to bring the songs out of me.
I was in chorus in school and I remember having this solo when we were performing Footloose and just being in front of all those people and knowing I had my own moment to rock the stage was so nuts I’ll never forget it.
I definitely think that had something to do with me eventually getting fully into music. I struggle with some mental illnesses which is probably readily apparent to anyone who listens to my songs and that’s how I ended up committing to music.
During Quarantine back in 2020 I was at the lowest point of my life and it seemed like everything was going to consume me and then one day in my parents basement at like 2am I decided to try writing a song.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I always have an earbud in and it’s because music is not only my favorite coping skill but I’m also obsessed with it. I’ve also always liked to write so all I did that night in that basement was put thoughts and feelings over a beat.
I fell in love. Not only was it the most natural thing I’d ever done but I was good at it, so from that moment on I decided to take music seriously.
Happy: “Basement Therapy: Session 1” is a unique mixtape that not only showcases your musical talent but also introduces an app designed to bring therapy to the listener. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind combining music with therapy in this way?
ROAMDxD: Music has always been therapuetic for me. At first it was just listening to it. Now it’s listening and creating.
When I was crafting Basement Therapy I actually had the title of the project created before any of the songs. I knew exactly what I wanted the album to sound like, how I wanted the songs to feel, all of that a whole like 3 years before I finally released it.
I knew what this journey was doing for me. I was in essence doing my own therapy right from my parents’ basement by making the songs and really getting into the meat and potatoes of my emotions and experiences.
I wanted to encapsulate that journey and also provide a path for others to do the same. My goal with my music is always to connect to the listener and have them feel what I’m feeling. This project was this vision just fully realized and manifested.
Happy: What is your typical creative process like when you’re working on a new song or project?
ROAMDxD: My creative process honestly changes from song to song it’s not set. The biggest thing I try to make sure of is that I’m in the right mindset.
If it’s a more upbeat vibe for the song I try to do things to put myself in a really good mood. If it’s a sad song I’ll wait for a day when I’m not feeling it to write/record. I typically record projects in bulk.
So maybe a couple songs this day and then a couple more another day. That way I never break the groove I get in. I only work on music when I’m in a specific emotional/metal space because I want everything to be authentic.
The words and feelings I’m putting in the songs are very real, I want to make sure the listener not only understands that but feels that too.
Happy: Are there any particular experiences or moments in your life that have had a significant impact on your music and artistic expression?
ROAMDxD: Honestly everything I’ve been through influences me. My artistic expression is just a reflection of my personality.
I purposely never wanted to craft a persona or anything I just want to be myself 100%. I’ve spent a lot of time in various mental hospitals, I’ve seen myself at times go from having everyone on my side to no one (my fault honestly), I’ve travelled, I’ve loved, I’ve lost, I’ve been heartbroken.
All of those things come up in my music and how I express it because those experiences are part of me and I want to get them out there because I know I’m not even close to the only one going through all of this.
Happy: Are there any specific artists or musicians who have inspired or influenced your musical journey?
ROAMDxD: There are definitely some artists I take inspiration from. Powfu is one I love his storytelling. Juice WRLD, Lil Peep, and XXXTentacion are big inspirations just for how raw they were in their music.
Jack Harlow is another one for sure I love his flows and I just feel like he really is under appreciated.
Happy: Can you talk about the role of New Mexico, USA, and its landscapes in shaping your musical style and identity as an artist?
ROAMDxD: New Mexico has definitely refined my artistic identity. I think before I moved here I had an idea of how I wanted to do things but being here and seeing the freedom of the desert just inspired me to be free and not worry too much.
The mountains remind me that life is just a big mountain and as Three Days Grace said “Everyday I’m just surviving. Keep climbing the mountain”.
I’ve matured a lot since being here and that’s helped too, just allowing me to see things from different perspectives and allowing me to come up with concrete ways to acheive my goals.
I’ve made some of my best music, in my opinion, since being here and that’s a testament to New Mexico just as much as it could be a testament to me.
Happy: Besides music, do you have any other creative interests or hobbies that influence your artistry?
ROAMDxD: As I mentioned before I write and journal a lot and that directly influences my music. I play basketball and I parallel life, basketball, and music all the time.
I feel like to get the most out of any of those three things you have to have some level of creative freedom specifically. The ability to dream and manifest those dreams or to have an idea and just go for it just because.
I’m very spiritual and that also influences my music because it helps me stay focused and I feel like it allows me to hit those nuances I’m looking for when I’m trying to connect to others.
Happy: What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music, especially from “Basement Therapy: Session 1”?
ROAMDxD: The message that I hope people take away is that I’ll always be there for them no matter what. I have my own problems and you have yours but I will always make sure that my problems are manageable so that I can help you.
I also want them to feel the inclusion and relatableness I try to give off. I’m making music for everybody, because everybody feels these same things I feel and some people think similar thoughts.
Doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from, you can relate to something I’ve released I know that for a fact. I am my music and my music is me so when we connect to a sing you’re connecting to me as a person.
I want that intimate feeling with everyone and I want them to feel safety in that and warmth. I truly want to change the world.
Happy: Lastly, what makes you happy?
ROAMDxD: Honestly I don’t know what makes me happy, I’m still trying to figure that out. Temporary happiness sure I can hoop, smoke, eat good food, hang out with friends etc etc.
Permanent happiness though? I have no clue. I’m searching for it everyday. I’ll let you know when I find it.
Happy: Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and insights with us, R0AMDxD. We’re excited to see what you’ll bring to the music world in the future.
ROAMDxD: Thank you so much for your time I’m very grateful. I hope I can bring some good stuff into the music world soon.
