Eti Romano Navigates Trauma, Music Career, and Self-Discovery

Israeli singer-songwriter Eti Romano, 34, is set to perform at the Indie Negev festival on October 15th, marking her first major performance featuring her original songs. Romano's journey to this point has been marked by significant personal challenges, including hair loss following a sexual assault a decade ago, which she is now addressing through treatments and by gradually foregoing wigs. She views her upcoming album as a period of introspection, aiming to examine her own shortcomings rather than solely externalizing blame, a shift from her earlier work.

Romano's musical path has been long and winding. She initially pursued collaborations with established artists like Dudu Tassa and Kehila Shel Hechel to compose her lyrics, releasing her first song in 2020. Her music, which blends influences from Mizrahi to hip-hop and Mediterranean genres, defies easy categorization, a fact she embraces. She currently works as a social integrator for a child with special needs to support her music career, expressing a desire to eventually earn a living solely from her art.

Her music often tackles difficult themes, including her parents' divorce and the aftermath of her sexual assault, though she prefers to focus on her recovery. Songs like "Don't Skip Me" from her 2023 debut album "I Also Broke a Heart" allude to her struggles with depression. Romano's latest single, "They Gave Me an Evil Eye," released two weeks ago, is part of her third album, produced by Ran Shem-Tov. While the song's title references a concept discussed in her Torah class about the evil eye, Romano suggests it may also reflect her own past behaviors, such as perceived arrogance.

Romano's personal life has also seen significant challenges, including a recent difficult breakup from a toxic relationship characterized by emotional abuse. She is currently living with her mother in Bat Yam to save money for her music. Despite the hardships, Romano finds strength in her experiences, which she believes have shaped her music into a more raw and authentic expression. She has received support from artists like Miri Mesika and Rita, who have shared her music.