Rio Romeo
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rio Romeo (Born January 5, 1999)[1] is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer [2] based in Pomona, California.[3] Describing their sound as "cabaret punk" or "theatrical blues," Romeo has become a prominent figure in the indie-pop scene, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.[citation needed] They are best known for their breakout singles "Nothing's New" and "Butch 4 Butch," as well as their 2025 album, Good Grief!.
5 January 1999
- Singer
Rio Romeo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rio Romeo 5 January 1999 Anaheim, California, U.S. |
| Origin | Pomona, California, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 2018–present |
| Label | |
| Website | www |
Early Life and Education
At age 18, Romeo moved to Chicago to enroll in the scenic design program at the DePaul University Theatre School. [4] and left the program after one quarter. While living in Chicago, Romeo began using university rehearsal rooms to write songs on the piano. [5]
Career
2020–2022: Viral Success and Good God!
Romeo returned to California during the COVID-19 pandemic and began posting content to TikTok, initially focusing on queer visibility and "lesbian vibes" rather than music[6]. Their music career accelerated when a demo of "Butch 4 Butch" went viral in 2021. In 2022, Romeo released the EP Good God!, featuring the track "Nothing's New".[citation needed]
2023–Present: Good Grief! album and tour
In 2025, Romeo released their debut full-length album, Good Grief!. The album explores themes of anger, recovery, and long-term grief. It features "JOHNNYSCOTT," a country-influenced "murder ballad" written about a real-life experience with a groomer, which Romeo described as a cathartic and "gender-affirming" expression of anger.[7]
Romeo is known for touring with their own acoustic piano—a vintage piano tuned half a step down from 440 hz. Romeo wrote most of their early discography on this piano, which was the catalyst to Romeo now having a collection of pianos tuned half a step down. Romeo has noted "The struggle of bringing the piano everywhere is an art form in itself" In 2025, they embarked on the Good Grief! Tour, a North American headline tour where they traveled with this specific piano to have the live show matched the "warped" tonal consistency of their studio recordings. [8]
Public image and philanthropy
Romeo has defined themselves as an interdisciplinary artist and a queer advocate who hopes to help others find home within themselves. [9]
Personal life
Rio Romeo is a butch lesbian. In 2021, Romeo suffered a traumatic skateboarding accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Their recovery lasted over a year.[10]
Discography
Albums
- Good Grief! (2025; AWAL Records)
EPs
- Good God! (2023; Frtyfve Records)
Singles
- "You're The Piece of Shit" (13 March, 2026)
- "Terminal Lovesick" (14 February, 2026)
- "Without You" (13 June, 2025)
- "God’s Got Something Out For Me (9 May, 2025)
- "JOHNNYSCOTT" (14 March, 2025)
- "Everyday is the Best Day of My Life" (2 June, 2023)
- "Over & Over" (21 April, 2023)
- "Danke Schoen" (3 February, 2023)
- "Inarticulation" (2 September, 2022)
- "Absence" (12 August, 2022)
- "Fuck The Supreme Court (Rant Song)" (6 July, 2022)
- "Bet" (14 February, 2022)
- "Fuck It" (21 November, 2021)
- "Butch 4 Butch" (14 February, 2022)
- "DYLTGIR?" (26 September, 2020)