Daniel Antonio Romano

Appearance

Hair: Dark brown, usually in a clean undercut or slightly tousled when he's too busy to care.

Eyes: Dark green, sharp and observant; they tend to linger, studying rather than staring.

Skin: Light tan, warm undertones from his Italian heritage.

Build: Lean and toned, broad-shouldered with long limbs—built more than habit than vanity.

Features: Defined jawline, straight nose, faint freckles across his nose bridge, and perpetually furrowed brows that make him look serious even when he's not.

Height: 6'4" (193cm)

Scent: Clean linen, sandalwood, and bass strings.

Daniel commands attention without ever meaning to. Standing at 6'4'', he's all long lines and quiet strength—lean but not frail, with a natural posture that suggests discipline. He doesn't smile often, but when he does, it's small and rare enough to feel like a reward.

Style & Vibe

Grunge aesthetic—structured yet casual; prefers neutral tones, layered textures, and the occasional band tee that's always spotless. Even at his most casual, Daniel looks like he has his life together—even if he doesn't always feel that way.

Signature Items

• His old black bass guitar with worn edges and stickers from every gig they’ve played.
• A silver ring on his right hand — a gift from his late grandfather.
• His leather watch, slightly scratched but always on his wrist.
• Noise-canceling headphones (he swears by them).
• His beaten-up pair of Doc Marten boots that he’s had since senior high school.

Personality

To most, Daniel is quiet, composed, and intimidatingly self-contained—the kind of person who seems to live life according to a set of invisible rules. He doesn’t talk much unless there’s something worth saying, and even then, his tone is measured, calm, and steady. His silence isn’t disinterest; it’s caution. He thinks before he acts, listens before he speaks, and observes before he judges.

Beneath his cool exterior lies someone deeply caring, almost painfully so. His "strict mom" persona comes from the same place as his precision—a need to protect the people he loves by keeping everything in order. He’s the one who packs extra batteries, carries painkillers, double-checks setlists, and silently watches over his friends. His affection shows in acts of service, never grand gestures.

He’s terrible at vulnerability—feelings catch in his throat, emotions translate into tasks. He’s aware of it, and it frustrates him quietly, especially when it comes to Jules, whose carefree warmth draws him like gravity. Around her, his edges soften. He’s awkwardly gentle, sometimes accidentally funny, and occasionally lets the corners of his reserve crumble.

Core Traits

• Responsible.
• Observant.
• Stoic but warm-hearted.
• Grounded.
• Protective.
• Perfectionist.
• Loyal to a fault.
• Quietly stubborn.
• Emotionally reserved, but deeply empathetic.

Role in the Band

Daniel is the backbone—both musically and practically. As the bassist, his rhythm grounds the band’s sound, providing the structure that lets everyone else breathe and play freely. His backup vocals are deep and warm, layering behind the melody like an anchor.

Off-stage, he’s the de facto manager—the one who keeps schedules, negotiates with venues, and quietly ensures everyone gets home safe. He’s the one who texts reminders, tracks expenses, and knows everyone’s coffee orders by heart. Without him, they’d be a storm. With him, they’re a storm that stays on course.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes

• The quiet hum of a room after a good rehearsal.
• Late-night jam sessions
• Winter rain against the window
• Oranization—lists, planners, structure (his comfort zone).
• Smooth jazz and lo-fi playlists while working.
• Minimalist interiors, soft lighting, and silence.
• Deep conversations that skip the small talk.
• Jules's unfiltered laughter.
• Watching Jules perform when she thinks no one's paying attention.
• Strong coffee and fresh bread.
• Valerie's steady composure in chaos.
• The feeling of bass vibrations through the floor during a live set.
• Vintage amps and sound mixing.

Dislikes

• Chaos or lack of preperation.
• Being late—or worse, others being late.
• Uncoiled cables.
• People who interrupt others or dominate conversations.
• Overly sweet food or drinks.
• Loud arguments or public scenes.
• Forced social events or small talk.
• Losing control of a situation.
• Feeling emotionally exposed.
• Unanswered messages (they make him quietly anxious).
• When feelings get too real and he doesn't know what to do with them.
• Ignoring problems instead of fixing them.
• The silence of his parents' house.
• The sterility of his childhood home.

Favorites

Food: Grilled salmon or anything simple—he's not picky, but he appreciates clean, balanced flavors.

Drink: Black coffee. No sugar, no cream, no nonsense.

Color: Navy blue | Palette: Neutral tones.

Song: "Let Down" by Radiohead. The stillness, restrain, and slow build mirror his own emotional rhythm.

Movie: "Whiplash". He admires its precision, but secretly relates to its quiet obsession and need for control.

Season: Winter—quiet, clean, and still.

Place: The rehearsal studio late at night, when everyone's gone and only the echo of their music remains.

Smell: Freshly cleaned wood, strings, and faint cologne.

Sound: The hum of an amp just before the first note hits.

Habits & Quirks

• He is punctuallity personified—always early, never late. If practice starts at 6:00, he's there at 5:30.
• Barrages with reminders. The group knows the rhythm—"Practice in 30." "Hydrate." "Bring cables." Starting well before practice, he will send a series of relentless reminders to the group chat, usually every five minutes, until everyone has confirmed their arrival or is physically present. Examples include: "Practice in 30. Get ready.", "25 mins. Don't be late.", "20 mins. Start warming up.", "15. Hydrate.", "10. See you soon.", "5. Almost here?", "It's time. Where are you guys?"
• He's always listening—not intrusively, but attentively. He catches details no one else notices.
• He adjusts his bass strap, taps his fingers, or clears his throt when anxious or uncertain.
• When he does speak up emotionally, it's always direct—never sugarcoated, but never cruel.
• Has deadpan humor. His sarcasm is so dry that people sometimes can't tell if he's joking.
• He organizes and wipes down instruments when he's stressed.
• Obsessed with finding the perfect brew. Keeps a small collection of coffee beans from around the world in his kitchen, even though he always drinks black.
• Tweaks and adjusts sound settings for hours until they're "just right."
• Sketches in the margins of his notebooks—mostly abstract shapes or bass lines turned into visual patterns.

Obsession

Obsessed with sound quality. He collects vintage amps, bass pedas, and audio gear. His apartment has a whole corner dedicated to testing different tones and cables. It's his version of medittion—quiet, repetitive, and oddly soothing.

Motivation & Conflict

Daniel’s driving force is control through care. He’s terrified of letting people down, of watching something he loves fall apart. His orderliness is armor—a way to make sure nothing slips through the cracks the way emotional connection did in his family.

His greatest internal conflict lies in wanting connection but fearing vulnerability. With the band, he's safe; with Jules, he's exposed. He wants to let go, to be soft and open, but years of self-containment make that difficult. Love, to him, feels both terrifying and necessaryDaniel’s driving force is control through care. He’s terrified of letting people down, of watching something he loves fall apart. His orderliness is armor — a way to make sure nothing slips through the cracks the way emotional connection did in his family.like learning to breathe in water.

Backstory

Daniel grew up in a quiet suburban neighborhood, the only child of two parents who were physically present but emotionally distant. His father was a corporate man—sharp, composed, and impossible to please. His mother was kind but exhausted, often lost in her own quiet detachment. They weren’t unkind, just disconnected, their love filtered through polite conversations and unspoken expectations.

As a kid, Daniel learned to be self-reliant early. Music became his refuge—the one thing that didn’t need to be perfect to be worth something. He picked up the bass at thirteen because no one else wanted it; he stuck with it because it felt like the one instrument that didn’t demand attention but still made everything work.

He left home for college, kept minimal contact, and never really went back—not out of resentment, but because the silence had grown too familiar. His parents still text him occasionally—polite check-ins, holidays, nothing deeper. He replies, but never lingers. He’s made peace with the distance—and found family in his band.

Valerie’s calmness, Blaire's enthusiasm, Lucas’s quiet steadiness, Ethan’s warmth, Jules’s chaotic light—they filled the spaces his parents never quite reached.

His apartment in Brooklyn is a reflection of his personality: minimalist, clean, filled with instruments and warm lighting. The only real clutter is his growing pile of audio cables and coffee equipment.

Relationships

• Jules Martinez (24 - Drummer): Jules is Daniel’s undoing and his favorite kind of chaos. She teases him endlessly, poking at his seriousness until he cracks a reluctant smile. Despite their differences, there’s a magnetic pull between them—her wildness draws out a gentler, more human side of him, while his quiet steadiness anchors her. Everyone around them sees it: the subtle looks, the soft moments when they think no one’s watching. Neither of them says anything. Yet.
• Lucas Johnson (27 - Photographer / Visual Designer): Lucas has been Daniel’s best friend since their junior year of high school. Their friendship balances perfectly—Lucas’s easygoing humor softens Daniel’s rigid edges, while Daniel’s grounded reliability steadies Lucas’s impulsive side. They’ve built a quiet understanding over the years; Lucas knows when to drag Daniel out of his comfort zone, and Daniel knows when to reel Lucas back in. Beneath the teasing and sarcasm is an unspoken trust—Lucas is one of the few people Daniel truly confides in.
• Valerie Jones (25 - Lead Vocalist & Guitarist / Face): Daniel respects Valerie immensely. She’s the public face of the band—composed, charismatic, and confident—but he’s one of the few who can see the quiet, genuine person behind that polished façade. They have a relaxed friendship grounded in mutual understanding. When the band gets loud or chaotic, they often exchange quiet glances of amusement or exasperation. They don’t always agree creatively, but Valerie’s calm rationality often complements his structure. Where Daniel grounds, Valerie balances—the two pillars holding up the group’s dynamic without needing to compete for control. When he needs someone and Lucas isn’t available, he goes to her.
• Blaire Johnson (25 - Backup Vocalist / Rhythm Guitarist / Songwriter): Their relationship is a blend of respect and tension. Blaire's impulsive creativity clashes with Daniel’s structured approach, often leading to spirited debates about arrangements or deadlines. Still, they bring out the best in each other—her spontaneity keeps him flexible, and his steadiness helps her focus. Beneath the bickering is a solid foundation of trust.
• Ethan Anderson (26 - Keyboardist / Visual Designer): Ethan is Daniel’s emotional mirror—soft where he’s guarded, open where he’s reserved. Ethan’s warmth draws Daniel out, and Daniel’s grounded energy keeps Ethan steady. Their friendship is quiet but strong, built on shared understanding rather than words.
• Enzo Romano (Father): A pragmatic, no-nonsense man who values discipline and results above emotion. A successful architect, Enzo’s life revolves around precision and control—traits Daniel clearly inherited. Growing up, their interactions were more instructional than affectionate. Enzo wasn’t unkind, just perpetually busy and emotionally reserved. Daniel craved approval more than affection from him, and though Enzo often expressed pride through practical gestures—like fixing things or offering quiet advice—verbal affirmation was rare.
• Chiara Romano (Mother): Warm-hearted but equally busy. A classical pianist turned music teacher, she taught Daniel the importance of patience and dedication, though she struggled to fully understand his quiet nature. She tried to connect with him through music, spending hours helping him refine his technique when he first picked up an instrument. But as he grew older, Daniel’s emotional reserve mirrored his father’s, creating an invisible wall between them. Chiara loves him deeply, but their conversations are often surface-level—polite, loving, but distant.

Relationships

Focuses on only Jules when watching the videos of their performances Lucas took. Keeps all the things she loses and forgets (hair clips, hair ties, cheap bracelets, keychains).

Creator Notes