Romi Mayes On the Making Of “C'mon Baby”
Photo Credit: Joey Senft
What was the creative process like for this particular song?
I started writing this song in 2010 when I was driving home from a solo tour to Manitoba from Ontario. The highway outside of Sault Ste Marie was closed all the way to Wawa, so a line up of semi trucks and I were all stuck in Batchawana Bay for the night. Luckily, there was a motel on the highway and they had just enough rooms, food, and beer to keep us happy. I played an impromptu show for the truckers and then went to my room. No cell service, a white noise fuzzy tv screen and a blizzard. I stayed up all night and only came up with a couple of the parts, but played it over and over again til sun-up. Finally finished it 13 years later by accepting it was just gonna be a solid rocker and had been pretty much done that whole time.
What do you like the best about this track?
I dig the 3 different parts that come together in the arrangement and drive the tune. It’s sexy and subtle but it’s heavy.
How does "C'mon Baby" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
This is the single for the upcoming album that drops on June 28th. The vinyl will actually have 2 specific sides. One side will have 6 heavy tunes in the style of and including “C’mon Baby” called Heavy Side B, and the other side will be a collection of 6 softer more songwriter crafted mellow songs called Heavy Side A. Super proud of this album and even prouder because it is my first self-produced album.
What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?
There have been so many great moments it is hard to choose one. I have been Juno nominated and have won 6 Canadian Music Awards including 3 Songwriter of The Year awards. I have had the opportunity to play with Levon Helm, Derek Trucks, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, and other musicians I respect deeply. I have had the opportunity to tour the globe and headline some very prestigious International festivals. Most importantly I have has the pleasure of doing this all alongside some of the best musicians and friends a gal can have.
Do you have any memorable on-stage moments or performances that stand out to you?
Definitely that impromptu show I talked about in question one!