PRESS

“Rio Romeo is unapologetic. Whether they’re candidly singing about their own experiences as a non-binary butch lesbian or defending their distinct sound to online critics, Rio is all heart. They’ve built a dedicated following from their own style of alt pop and cabaret punk music that features catchy layered vocals and a uniquely tuned piano which has quickly become Rio’s calling card.”

June 24, 2023

For The Punks

RIO ROMEO ON LOVE, AUTHENTICITY AND THE EVOLUTION OF THEIR MUSIC

Rio Romeo smiling, performing on stage with a microphone in front of them playing the piano. Rio is a butch lesbian and has a short, blonde mullet, big gold earrings and a navy blue dickeys jacket on.

The Wellesley News

OVER & OVER, RIO ROMEO’S NEW SINGLE : MUSIC REVIEW

“[Over & Over] feels physical, with the vocalizations and a clapping or stomping sound that feels spur of the moment. This physicality makes the song feel more … tangible, adding to the spatiality from the feeling of distance in the outro. It also adds to the feeling of falling into spirals of bad habits and behaviors that this song seems to exemplify.”

May 2023

Rio Romeo 'Over & Over' album artwork. Illustrated by Rio Romeo in pen and ink.

Orlando Weekly

L.A’s RIO ROMEO BRINGS THEIR RENEGADE CABARET TO ORLANDO

“Musically, the young pianist-singer specializes in renegade cabaret with an irreverent, left-field pop sensibility. Emotionally, they unpack intensely personal matters with raw energy and an unabashedly lesbian point of view. The bold collision of theatrical conviction and unique firsthand examinations casts Romeo equally as both person and personality.”

June 14, 2023

Connect

NONBINARY ARTIST RIO ROMEO RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “INARTICULATION”

As a proud butch member of the non-binary community, Rio is looking forward to the release of Good God!, their upcoming EP.

September 28, 2022

Glaad

NEW MUSIC FROM LIL NAS X, RIO ROMEO, AND MORE!

September 22, 2022

Dallas Voice

QUEER MUSIC NEWS

“I found that all of the songs I have loved throughout my life are very specifically describing patriarchal straight dynamics, which left me wanting more. There are too many straight love songs in the world; I write so that at least a few that don’t fit that mold.”

October 7, 2022

xtra magazine

QUEER ARTISTS WITH NEW SEPTEMBER TRACKS

The days are getting shorter, but these queer and trans artists will lift your spirits.

September 30, 2022

GAYGENDA

BUTCH LESBIAN ICON RIO ROMEO ON THEIR NEW SINGLE, BET

“I wish I had someone to dance to this song with on Valentine’s Day. It’s just so romantic and sweet and beautiful. Rio really knocks it out of the park with this one—but we really shouldn’t expect anything less from them.”

February 13, 2021

Instinct Magazine

RIO ROMEO TALKS NEW EP, ‘GOOD GOD!’

“Following a full range of emotions throughout love – infatuation, yearning, complacency, insecurity, and absolute unwavering faithfulness, the fully gender neutral EP features five tracks and is Romeo’s response to “too many straight love songs in the world.”

Polyester Zine

RIO ROMEO IS OUR VALENTINE THIS YEAR

"If my work has any impact in the world at all, I would hope that it would be to allow queer people to be able to better explore what it's like to be themselves."

March 2022

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

HOW VIVA! POMONA FESTIVAL DEBUTS CUTTING-EDGE ACTS BEFORE THEY PLAY COACHELLA

“Rio Romeo, a local Pomona artist also making their debut at the festival, has more than 430,000 followers and millions of views on TikTok. Rather than focusing on their music, Romeo uses the platform to engage directly with their fans, answering questions and having conversations.”

December 12, 2021

GAYGENDA

GAYGENDA X RIO ROMEO

“Butch lesbian icon Rio Romeo sat down with Gaygenda to talk about their struggles and how the concept of resiliency has helped them get to where they are today.”

October 2021

Print only

Valley Ventana

RIO ROMEO ROMANCES WAY INTO MUSIC INDUSTRY

“Romeo’s usage of exclusively piano and vocals scratches a special kind of itch for listeners who prefer a focus on the lyrics of a song. They highlight an imperfect voice with surrounding vocals, creating a more personal listening experience, similar to sitting in an audience and watching them live.”

September 30, 2021

INJECTION Magazine

RIO ROMEO: “I’VE FOUND A HUGE ONLINE FAMILY OF OTHER QUEER PEOPLE”

“Get to know Rio Romeo (they/them), the 22 year-old butch artist from California who plays theatrical-inspired music for the termites in their piano (and for their 247,000 monthly Spotify listeners).”

September 20, 2021

The Fight Magazine:

QUEER FACES & SPACES

“Here’s a fun exercise: Try and guess how many times the word entertaining tumbles effortlessly from Rio Romeo’s lips in the span of our brief conversation. The concept is indelibly tied to their aesthetic.”"

June 2021

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We Are: The Guard

TOP ARTIST PICKS TO HEAR THIS PRIDE MONTH

“There’s something magical about Rio Romeo’s “cabaret blues on an out of tune piano.” Theatrical, lofi, bluesy, full of heart, there’s really not much else out there like their first releases ‘Butch 4 Butch’ and ‘Dyltgir?’”

June 19, 2021

Rio Romeo looking into the lens holding a cane, surrounded by vintage magazines, sitting on a powered on CR-TV. Rio Romeo is a butch lesbian musician with short blonde hair, bleached eyebrows, and a blue jumpsuit on. They are wearing doc martens.

Junior High Los Angeles

RIO ROMEO: SUCH SWEET SORROW

April 30, 2021

eli pedraza photography rio romeo

We Are: The Guard

FEATURED FINDS: RIO ROMEO HAS THE CABARET BLUES

“With “Butch 4 Butch” Rio Romeo puts their lyricism and songwriting on front display, and we’re connecting with this new voice and style no question. It feels natural, stripped down and full of vigor.”

April 1, 2021

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Orange Blush Zine

March 25, 2021