Row Jomah Credit: Photo via Silent J Studio

Joe Roma is heading in a new direction. This World Remains, a five-track EP recorded at West Jefferson, North Carolina’s Bear Cabin Lodge, is a step away from Row Jomah’s non-arrangement, jam-based style heard on past releases such as 2017’s Guns & Gods & Gold.

“The song’s lyrics are heavily influenced by the setting where we recorded in,” Roma told CL.

The first single, “Push & Pull” is about getting through hard times with help from your friends. “Rather than succumb to the ‘push and pull’ of everyday life, they fly away to the mountains and build a new world just for them to live in happiness and harmony all their days,” he added.

Row Jomah’s no-cover album release party at Dunedin Brewery on Saturday, Aug. 12 also features the likes of local hip-hop legend Jon Ditty, saxophonist Brian Doss, and vocalist Rochelle “Songbird Shella” Siddiq, just to name those who have been announced.

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This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2023.