The captivating duo featuring Magic Numbers’ lead singer alongside the celebrated Bella Union recording artist. Ren & Romeo are playing some unique duo shows together. They will be playing much loved songs from their respective catalogues, new songs yet to be heard, perhaps a cheeky cover or two and are open to wherever the night takes them. If you’d like to experience the intimacy of songwriting, story telling and what it feels like to have found kindred spirits, you won’t want to miss this special show.

Romeo Stodart

Romeo Stodart is the lead singer/songwriter in the much loved London based rock n roll harmony group The Magic Numbers. The band comprising two pairs of brothers and sisters have released five critically acclaimed albums to date including their self-titled Mercury Music Prize nominated, million selling debut.

Outside of The Magic Numbers, Romeo has collaborated with a vast array of artists including writing songs for & with the late Jane Birkin, Edwyn Collins, Natalie Imbruglia, Kathryn Williams, Amadou & Mariam and The Chemical Brothers. He has contributed his unique guitar playing style to various projects, from Damon Albarn’s Africa Express collective since its inception, touring with Jimmy Webb & The Webb Brothers, to playing banjo, guitar & harmonies Spiritualized’s Sweet Heart Sweet Light album.

Ren Harvieu

Anyone who believes there are no second chances needs to be re-introduced to Ren Harvieu. Seven years after Through The Night, her Top Five debut album, having overcome a life-threatening injury on the eve of its release, the darkly enigmatic Salford-born singer-songwriter returned with the critically acclaimed Revel In The Drama (Bella Union) a brilliant, bolder and broader take on her unique pop classicism, a compelling diary of struggle, a release of pent-up tension and a celebration of liberation and survival. It should’ve been a celebration but as luck would again have it, the world went into a global pandemic on the week of release. Timing is everything but Ren Harvieu is timeless as she is inspirational.

Now in the production chair alongside her writing partner Romeo she is creating her most brave and compelling music yet, a new album is scheduled for release in early 2025.

Band food lovingly cooked by Tamarind Tree.

INTERVIEW WITH ROMEO STODART

PAST PRESENT AND THE ROAD AHEAD ……

Best known as the distinctive voice and songwriter behind Magic Numbers, Romeo Stodart has carved out an equally compelling path as a solo artist. Blending the heartfelt lyricism and melodic warmth that first won him a loyal following with a more intimate, personal sound, his solo work offers a fresh perspective on an already celebrated areer. We caught up with Romeo to talk about stepping into the spotlight alone, finding inspiration in new places, and why songwriting remains at the heart of everything he does.

You’re coming to play the Barrel House Ballroom on Thursday 24 September. Totnes has a famously independent and creative music community. Have you played here or spent time in South Devon before, and what do you enjoy about playing towns away from the usual big-city touring circuit? 

Yes, I honestly cannot wait!

I’m a beach boy really as I was born in the Caribbean.

My favourite memories as a kid growing up in Trinidad & Tobago ones at the beach with my family. I feel transported back there whenever I’m near the coast. I loved the very few times we’ve been to South Devon over the years as a band and solo. I’m hoping to see more this time around though as I have a week free before the first show at the Barrel House. I’m very excited about this little solo adventure as it does allow me to explore a bit more and visit different places. It’s always exciting getting to play somewhere new especially towns that don’t get as much live music regularly, it tends to feel extra charged in those rooms.

The Magic Numbers’ debut album came out over 20 years ago and became a million-selling, Mercury Prize-nominated record. When you look back at that period now, what memories stand out most?

To be honest it was a whirlwind of dreams coming true, moments we never thought would ever happen. A rollercoaster of heightened emotions, mainly joy mixed with fear.

I remember holding our debut 7-inch Hymn For Her in my hands for the very first time, our music on vinyl with the Heavenly Records bird logo. Wow, it’s real, this is happening! That moment preceded a residency of 3 shows at The Borderline in London where we heard the crowd sing our songs back at us for the first time, they were loud, we kept looking at each other. That experience shared together was so special. Then there’s some mad ones like singing harmonies with Brian Wilson on Love & Mercy live on his UK tour, that was a definite pinch yourself moment, Glastonbury Pyramid Stage was insane, so many people but every Glastonbury show’s been pretty crazy special for us, touring Japan playing The Budokan, South America was and continues to be one of the most amazing places to play. The people are just sweetie pies, so warm.

Your music has always been known for its harmonies. Growing up and making music with your sister Michele, was singing together something that came naturally from an early age?

Yes, music was always a massive part of our lives growing up.

Our mum sang Burt Bacharach songs around the house, my uncle Julio would be blasting reggae and country music and they all felt is so much, like it was important, there’d be tears during Patsy Cline’s I Falll To Pieces as well as lots of crazy dancing.

Michele and I played a lot more than sang, interweaving the guitar and bass was definitely our way in together musically and finding the harmonies within that. Playing music with Michele is one of the most natural and instinctive things I’m lucky to have in my life. Our harmony singing truly started though along with Angie, our newfound sister. The three of us developed a sound together that just felt really unique and we loved finding the blend between us, it is a natural thing for sure, but it does also take work getting there towards the effortlessness.

As a songwriter, where do songs tend to begin for you – with a lyric, a melody, a guitar part, or simply a feeling you’re trying to capture?

All of the above really, the birth of a song still surprises me.I play all the time. If for some reason or another I can’t for a few days I feel uneasy or weird within myself. It’s been this way since I was a teenager. Melodies usually come first for me, through voicing chords, improvising. I write a lot at the piano these days.

Now, within all this playing there’ll be a little moment where something will happen where it feels different, extra special, possibly the start of a song, then I try to hold on and just feel. I’ll sing along, most of time it’s gibberish but surprisingly feelings you didn’t even know were there start coming out. I try and stay in the song and in the moment for as long as I can without getting too much in the way so it will all come at once, but it’s tough, sometimes you just get a glimpse, it may take me months to get back to where that was, like some crazy time travel looking for clues but making sure you don’t open your eyes. Writing lyrics to the meter of a melody that is already there can be challenging but I love it.

You’ve written and collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists, from Jane Birkin and Edwyn Collins to The Chemical Brothers and Amadou & Mariam. Is there one collaboration that had a particularly lasting influence on you?

The collaboration that has definitely had a lasting influence and continues to inspire me daily is writing with Ren Harvieu. She’s a uniquely creative force, a true one off. I just love the way she approaches everything; it’s always from such a surprising angle that just kills me emotionally whilst I find myself sat there smiling and scratching my head. Lyrically she’s in a league of her own. It’s only a matter of time before everyone catches up. She challenges me and I live to learn.

You’ve been part of Damon Albarn’s Africa Express collective since its early days. What did those experiences teach you about making music with people from very different musical backgrounds?

I hold those experiences as invaluable; they serve as a reminder not to get in the way.

For me, music is a blessing, it’s a special thing, a place you can truly let go of everything and be carried.

When you improvise, you’re following the music essentially, you have to tune into the feeling, the spell of it, listen and it takes you there.

I visit that place as I go there on my own meditatively playing freely but to do that together with people, it’s everything! To go there with unbelievable musicians with so much heart and warmth and their understanding and respect for that place and exchange with one another is just the best feeling ever. Playing guitar with Amadou for hours and hours, two guitars, two huge smiles, no words. The joy I felt from that was immense. I’ll be forever grateful to Damon for getting the chance to go to Nigeria and play music for a week nonstop and meet amazing people. I never wanted it to end. Playing with the late great Tony Allen in many crazy situations, on stage at The Shrine with him and Flea on bass, tonnes of insane musicians jumping on and off, feeling that rhythm! Maddest gig, intense,  it was 7 hours long, from erupting the crowd with all improvisational jams to some moments falling flat being on the receiving end of boos and jeering. Epic. You learn fast.  I am a huge Fela Kuti fan so that was a dream beyond. Aw Tony, getting to hang out with him and have a big smoke. His smile. Treasured memory.

Your guitar playing has a very distinctive character. Who were the guitarists or musicians who first made you want to pick up an instrument and find your own sound? 

Thank you, that’s kind of you to say. Well initially as a kid of 11 or 12 I wanted to be Slash, I just thought he looked super cool, they all did and Appetite For Destruction was the first album I ever bought. An important album for all of us in The Magic Numbers believe it or not, but as much as I loved heavy metal as a young teenager I was also drawn to The Smiths and The Cure, bands that I could relate to feeling like the weirdo outsider kid that I was. I loved both Johnny Marr’s style and Robert Smith’s guitar playing which I think is very underrated.

Then I discovered Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, Richard Thompson. Finger pickers, folk music.

A close friend of mine and an incredible musician Steve Gara who plays anything and everything would kindly lend me banjos, bazoukis, mandolins. He knew I’d give them all a good go as I  was just as obsessed with music as he was. It introduced me to finger picking and drones, open tunings, important part of the journey for me with the guitar I think. Also Bernard Butler played a huge part in my learning, I used to go see Suede play live loads and I’d be right down the front looking at his hands, Pre Youtube, moving snapshots emblazoned in the mind on the night bus home.

After five Magic Numbers albums and so many other musical projects, has your relationship with songwriting changed as you’ve got older? What excites you creatively these days?

I’m absolutely loving the piano. It’s a true love affair. I’m still trying for that left hand to have full independence so I can do all the things I hear in my head. I’m a slow reader and impatient but all that sheet music I buy in charity shops need to be played.

My relationship with music has intensified if anything. Having a little studio at home is a dream as it’s just where I want to be, making things, having fun exploring sound, engineering.

I do love playing live though and miss sharing music, it’s still a thrill and there’s lots of new music to play.

What are you listening to at the moment, and are there any new artists you think we should all know about?

I mostly listen to a lot of jazz now, free improvisational music.
Bill Evans, Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, all the usual culprits.

Atahualpa Yupanqui blows my mind, Astor Piazzolla, Michael Levy, Sondheim, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Ed Harcourt’s new music, Danny George Wilson’s song Before September really stopped me in my tracks.

In terms of recent finds – Aspidistrafly, Morgan Nagler, @ ,

New artists I love –

Penelope Isles are amazing – Jack & Lily Wolter are a super talented brother and sister duo who also make music separately also as Cub Zoa & My Precious Bunny.

Felix Holt has written some of the most beautiful songs in the last few years that I’ve heard. He’s one to watch Louis Brennan has a gorgeous new album, Sweet Giant, Miniseries, Naomi In Blue.

Finally, what’s on the horizon for you? Any new music, collaborations, or exciting projects in the pipeline?

Excited to say that a new Magic Numbers album will be out in the new year. It’s been far too long.
I’m also recording a duo album with Ren Harvieu which we can’t wait for people to hear. The songs have been gone done so well at the shows we’ve done. Her new album will be out before though and it’s a must!
Lots of touring in the pipeline for next year as the Magic Numbers and also solo shows which I’m really enjoying.

And a few quick-fire questions… 

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Whisky or wine?

Whisky

First record you ever bought.?

Appetite For Destruction

A song you wish you’d written?

Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder

Guitar you’d save from a burning building?

My red Gibson 335

Your ultimate comfort album?

Neil Young’s Harvest

Early bird or night owl?

I’m very much an early bird now and enjoy waking up to their song.

A book and/or film you always recommend?

Herman Hesse – Siddhartha

Housesitter with Goldie Hawn & Steve Martin
or
Overboard with Goldie & Kurt Russell

Comforting

Most memorable gig you’ve ever seen?

David Bowie’s 50th birthday gig at Madison Square Garden.

Your biggest fear?

Arthritis in my hands

And finally… describe Romeo Stodart in three words.

Demented Snuggle Bear