Roman Holiday Taking Steps to Stardom, One at a Time

As I sit down with two members of the band Roman Holiday, our conversation turns into quick banter on the definition of groupie: devoted fan or creepy stalker? The young 20-somethings of the promising band are sure of one thing: they love their fans and agree they would not be where they are today without the unwavering support of their fan base. 

"We love groupies!  We want more," lead guitarist Daniel Collins pronounces on the subject of what could be a potentially negative understanding of the popular term often used to describe an ardent fan or follower.

Semantics aside, the members of up-and-coming Roman Holiday are driven and headstrong on their career goals as musicians, and with nearly 2,300 Facebook fans, they seem to be on the right track.  Various media interviews and about 80 gigs into a career, the unsigned band (affectionately called RoHo) is finding its footing and the members see 2011 as a year of big things.  Their year kicks off at a Jan. 14 show with Ben Union at The Liberty Theater in Puyallup, almost exactly a year after their CD-release party at the same location.

The members -- self-described "young gentlemen trying to make timeless music" -- have found a recipe for success.  And the music media has taken notice, as evidenced by commenst such as "What do you mean they're not signed?" by Philadelphia Social Media Writer Christina Thompson and "Roman Holiday is a band that begs to be seen live," by Adam McKinney of Weekly Volcano.

The band was begun by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Shane Lance and drummer Emerson Shotwell.  Bassist Nick Howard quickly came onboard and Collins soon rounded out the bunch after seeing them in a live acoustic set at the Forza Coffee Company, in downtown Puyallup, lacking a lead guitarist.  The band officially formed in September 2008.

Collins, the son of a former Associate Pastor from Sumner's , moved here from Los Angeles with his family when he was 10, and started playing guitar at 14.  A quick study, he began playing within his father's church a year later. When he turned 20 in 2007, he answered an ad to run the Sunday worship program at in Bonney Lake.  Having spent the past three-plus years waking up the Sunday morning congregation, he is clearly comfortable on stage.

When he isn't coordinating and practicing a Sunday set, Collins is at the studio late into the night with fellow bandmates to perfect their set list.  He also teaches private guitar lessons and serves java in that same fortuitous coffee shop.

Shotwell, a former drummer at Bonney Lake's now-defunct New Horizons Church, has also played with vocalist Lance at Bonney Lake's EastPoint Church congregation for youth group events within the past year.

The guys, who've played together or separately since the late 1990s in various local church and youth groups, have taken inspiration from such bands as U2, The Black Keys, Led Zepplin and The Killers, among many others. 

Most recently named as one of the Top 10 Bands to Watch in Seattle by Seismic Sound, Roman Holiday's music has taken them from Seattle to California and back, playing venues such as the infamous Viper Room and world famous Whiskey-a-Go Go in Los Angeles, popular Seattle rock spots Hard Rock Café Seattle and The Crocodile, and Fremont fixtures such as The High Dive and Nectar.  They've set their sights on Seattle's Showbox and Nuemo's.

The band is seeking exposure and connections that will catapult them into success, but not too quickly.  Fearful of being pigeon-holed or a single successful track labeling them as a one-hit wonder, they are paying their dues and making their way through the system to establish a long-lasting career in music.

After a year-long circuit playing songs from their first album, a new online music video, photo shoots and a soon-to-be recorded DVD of a live show, what's the next step in this hot path? 

"Capture the attention of a lot labels," Shotwell responds. "[We need] financing and international connections that would take years to build up on our own."

Collins agrees.

"We're at that point now.  To do what we want to do; you can't do it independently," he says. "If we can just be put out in front of the masses whether it's an opening tour with a bigger band, or television exposure ... "

On the topics of radio play and "selling out" for the financial security that comes with high visibility but often overplayed singles, as well as selecting bands and labels that best fit Roman Holiday's niche in the industry, Emerson admits, "We want to keep respect.  Respect is on such a higher level than money." 

"Our goal as a band is not only to be loved by the masses but respected by your peers," Collins reiterates.

If it comes down to going mainstream with a less-than-desirable label or not getting a label at all, Collins and Shotwell choose not getting one at all. They want to stay independent to keep their creativity and maintain their personal band ideas.  Only time will tell.

Mainstream label or not, these hardworking guys have the desire and passion to keep the sound they've built. 

"On New Year's Eve, I bet we were the only 23-year-old dudes practicing instead of drinking.  We believe in what we're doing; that it's worth it for us," says Collins of their dedication.

Check out the Roman Holiday website or their Facebook page to listen to their tracks, and watch for upcoming shows.