international rockstar!f!reader; timing sucks; yearning; fakeband;socialmedia;slowburn
○ pairing: vernon | f!reader who’s in an international rock band called RYM.
○ genre: angst/yearning/fluff/longdistance stuff/socialmedia
○ story note: contains mature content (eventually). RATING 18+ Minors are strictly prohibited from engaging in and reading this content. It contains explicit content and any minors discovered reading or engaging with this work will be blocked immediately.○ wc: tbd
summary:
MAX is used to the noise — the roar of festival crowds, the flash of stage lights, the hum of strangers' phones recording her every move. As the lead guitarist of rising band RYM, she's learned to live in the blur between public persona and private reality.
VERNON knows the drill, too. As a member of global K-pop phenomenon SEVENTEEN, he's spent years perfecting the art of looking unbothered while the world watches — a skill that makes him magnetic on stage and frustratingly unreadable off it.
On paper, they have nothing in common beyond the chaos. Different continents. Different careers. Different worlds. And yet, their paths keep crossing — in green rooms, hotel lobbies, and festival crowds — each encounter stirring feelings neither of them has the time or space to handle.
Between complicated schedules, the internet's microscope, and millions of fans watching, timing isn't just bad — it's impossible. They should know better. And still, no matter the city, the stage, or the distance, they keep finding each other — somewhere in the margins, in the middle, somewhere elsewhere.
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here's the full timeline of the story w/ everything that happens each month.
(i will keep updating it)
2024
january:
↳ 2nd: Band announced brand new album Parallel Bodies, to be out on Feb. 14th & world tour (EUROPEAN leg+ Select US. dates). Single + music video for “SHOWMAN” is released.
- 📱 X - @officialrym
- 📱 Instagram - @rymofficial
- 📱 Instagram - @maxlazzari
- 📱 press - Billboard
↳ 13th: Lollapalooza Berlin announcement.
-📱 Instagram - @lollapaloozade
april:
may:
↳ 7th: Lollapalooza Berlin full lineup post.
- 📱 Instagram - @lollapaloozade
- 📱 X - @rymofficial
-📱 X - @yun4wrenleigh
↳ 22nd: Happy birthday, Romy.
-📱Instagram - @maxlazzari
-📱Instagram - @yun4wrenleigh
-📱Instagram - @jonahreed
↳ 23rd: The Beaches & Romy James cover Djo's 'End of Beginning' for Like A Version.
- 📱press - Triple J
- 📱TikTok - @rymofficial
- 📱 Reddit - r/RYMband
june:
↳ 14th: RYM on tour. Yuna and Jonah in Budapest.
-📱 Instagram - @yun4wrenleigh
-📱 X - @yun4wrenleigh
↳ 28th: RYM plays Glastonbury Festival.
-📱 Instagram - @romyjames
-📱Instagram - @maxlazzari
-📱Instagram - @yun4wrenleigh
july:
↳ 2nd: Romy James BBC Radio 1 interview.
august:
↳ 27th: Bad news and a change of plans.
september:
↳ 6th: Berlin - RYM & SVT arrive on the same day.
↳ 7th: RYM's Lolla performance on Saturday.
↳ 8th: SVT's Lolla performance on Sunday.
📌 Following Berlin, RYM will take a short break before resuming with their North American leg in mid-November.
↳ 14th: Yuna and Max land in Seul. Studio time.
↳ 30th: Happy birthday, Max. Vernon has a plan.
-📱 Instagram - @romyjames
-📱Instagram - @yun4wrenleigh
-📱 Instagram - @jonahreed
-📱Instagram - @maxlazzari
october:
↳ 1st: Parallel Bodies (Deluxe) is released as a birthday present from Max to the fans.
- Disc 1: Standard Parallel Bodies (14 tracks)
- Disc 2: Live at Red Rocks setlist in full.
- Bonus: 2 new studio tracks recorded during summer downtime + 1 cover by Max.
↳ 14th: Max returns to New York.
↳ 24th: SVT in New York.
↳ 29th: Tecate Pal’ Norte artist lineup announcement. Carats go crazy. RYM AND SEVENTEEN would be playing on the same day.
-📱 Instagram - @rymofficial
november:
↳ 15th: RYM's back on tour for the U.S. final leg, focusing on new venues not played earlier in the year.
↳ 30th: Final tour date. Happy birthday, Yuna.
-📱 Instagram - @romyjames
-📱 Instagram - @jonahreed
-📱Instagram - @maxlazzari
-📱 X - @yun4wrenleigh
Yuna Wren Leigh was born on November 30, 1998, in San Francisco, California, to a Korean mother and an American father. Raised in a bilingual household, she grew up speaking both Korean and English, though she has described her Korean as "slightly clumsy, but filled with love." Her parents later relocated to Seoul, while Yuna chose to remain in the United States as an adult.
𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Her musical awakening began when her father showed her footage of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, whose frenetic energy and percussive playing style inspired her to pick up a bass guitar in middle school. She quickly became enamored with rhythm, groove, and unconventional tone.
"I wasn't interested in being the frontperson," she once said. "I wanted to be the one making the whole thing move."
Yuna moved to New York City to pursue a fashion internship at the Parsons School of Design. It was during this period that she met Ross Pritcherd's younger sister and the two became fast friends.One night, the two attended a Civic Waves house party, where she met Max Lazzari and Romy James for the first time.
"It's crazy," Yuna recalled in a 2024 interview. "How that night kind of changed everything."
What began as an impromptu jam session laid the foundation for what would soon become RYM, giving Yuna the space to blend sonic experimentation with bold visual identity.
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
Yuna Wren Leigh is known for her vibrant, offbeat charisma and genre-defying presence, both on and off the stage. As the youngest member of RYM, she brings an irreverent, impulsive energy to the trio—often balancing the group's emotional intensity with humor, playfulness, and unpredictable flair.
Her personal style has become instantly recognizable among fans: an eclectic mix of vintage sportswear, bold colors, Korean streetwear influences, and thrifted oddities. Fashion magazines have praised her for her ability to mix high fashion with DIY attitude, and she is frequently cited as a style muse in underground fashion blogs and Pinterest moodboards alike.
Onstage, Yuna is a force of movement and expression. She's known for her spontaneous freestyling, animated body language, and instinctive connection with the crowd—often dancing with her bass, playing while in motion, or bantering mid-song. Her solo moments during live performances are typically filled with groove, vocal play, and genre flips, sometimes blending Korean lyrics or scatting over funk-inspired arrangements.
"Yuna doesn't follow rules—she plays them like chords," wrote i-D in a 2023 profile.
Culturally, Yuna has become a quiet icon in Asian-American creative spaces, admired for her bilingual background, refusal to be boxed in stylistically, and commitment to visibility without tokenism. She often speaks in interviews about navigating cultural identity without simplification.
Her fans frequently cite her as "the fun one," but those close to her note a deep intentionality in her work—particularly in her production style and melodic instinct, both of which have become defining features of RYM's sonic DNA.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲
Though often the most playful and irreverent member of RYM onstage, Yuna Wren Leigh has developed a quiet but steady reputation as an advocate for representation, mental health awareness, and creative equity.
As a Korean-American artist navigating the U.S. indie and alt-pop scenes, Yuna has spoken candidly about the challenges of cultural identity and visibility. She frequently uplifts other Asian-American and diasporic creatives, highlighting their work on her social platforms and participating in roundtables and panels centered on inclusivity in music and fashion.
Yuna is also a recurring collaborator with organizations that provide mental health support to young artists, particularly those from immigrant and multicultural backgrounds. She has said in interviews that she struggled with self-doubt and cultural dissonance growing up and feels strongly about normalizing conversations around therapy, anxiety, and performance pressure.
In 2023 and 2024, she partnered with several Korean-American nonprofits and mutual aid collectives in both New York and Seoul, supporting youth art programs and language-access resources. She has also supported grassroots fundraisers for trans healthcare access, food insecurity initiatives in Bushwick, and music education programs for girls and nonbinary kids.
Yuna is frequently praised by fans and peers for her genuine engagement, often opting for direct community work over performative activism. Her approach reflects her broader philosophy: that art, fashion, and activism are all about creating space—and making sure others feel welcome in it.
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Yuna has been widely praised for her magnetic stage presence, fluid musicianship, and commanding sense of rhythm, both as a bassist and vocalist. Though often the most playful member of RYM, her performances are marked by technical precision, genre-bending improvisation, and an infectious sense of spontaneity.
Known for dancing mid-song, switching between instruments, or breaking into freestyled harmonies, Yuna brings a freeform energy to RYM's live sets that often acts as the band's emotional lift.
During the band's 2023 world tour, critics consistently highlighted her funk-laced solo segments, particularly her reinterpretation of "Not Like Them," which evolved into a crowd-favorite mashup of neo-soul vocals, slap bass, and improvised Korean lyrics. The performance earned her widespread praise for her ability to blend cultural influences and turn each show into a uniquely live experience.
Her solo during RYM's 2024 Red Rocks Amphitheatre performance, captured on the deluxe live version of Parallel Bodies, drew particular acclaim. In a standout moment, she led the band through a reworked version of "Jigsaw Room" that included an extended bass solo and call-and-response section with the audience.
Rolling Stone wrote: "Yuna's energy is kinetic. Her musicianship, undeniable."
Yuna's collaborative instinct has also become a defining part of her performance identity. Whether harmonizing with Romy, locking into a groove with Max, or riffing with guest musicians, she has a reputation for elevating the live chemistry of every set she plays.
As of 2025, she is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and expressive bassists in contemporary alt-pop—and one of its most unpredictable performers.
𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Her musical influences are as layered and unpredictable as her performances. A self-described "genre scavenger," she has cited a wide range of inspirations, pulling equally from funk, indie rock, K-pop, neo-soul, and jazz. Her approach to songwriting and performance is rooted in groove, texture, and emotional movement over structure or genre constraints.
Her earliest musical obsession began when her father introduced her to a live performance by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. The physicality and expressive nature of his playing sparked her love for the bass and planted the seed for her musical path.
"Flea made it look like the bass was a wild animal. I wanted one immediately," she told Bass Player magazine.
She has listed Thundercat, Jaco Pastorius, Esperanza Spalding, and Bootsy Collins as key influences on her bass technique, while vocally, she draws inspiration from Hiatus Kaiyote, Nao, Björk, and Yaeji. Her production and arranging sensibilities are shaped by artists like Toro y Moi, Jamiroquai, and Erykah Badu, with flashes of early 2000s K-pop and Japanese city pop woven in.
Yuna is also known for incorporating bilingual phrasing, rhythmic vocal layering, and unexpected tempo shifts into her work—techniques she's said were inspired by both jazz improvisation and the Korean ballads her mother played around the house growing up.
Her influences continue to expand with each collaboration, allowing her to seamlessly blend styles and add depth to any project she touches—whether it's an RYM live set or a guest feature with another artist.
𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Though often spotlighted as RYM's bassist, her vocal work is a core element of the band's sound—blending rhythmic phrasing, genre-defying tone, and unexpected melodic choices. Her voice is often described as airy, elastic, and emotionally intuitive, with a tone that drifts between dreamlike clarity and percussive bounce.
Yuna has cited Nao, Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm, Yaeji, and Erykah Badu as vocal north stars, drawn to their ability to stretch phrasing, bend pitch, and blur the line between singing and texture. She also references Jhené Aiko, Kelela, and Yuna (the Malaysian singer) for their ethereal delivery and softness-in-strength approach.
"I've never wanted to sound 'perfect,'" she told Dazed Korea. "I want to sound alive—a little weird, a little breathy, like something that shifts shape mid-song."
Yuna often uses her voice not just to deliver lyrics, but as a layered instrument—looping herself live, singing over her own harmonies, or weaving between Romy and Max's more traditional vocal lines. Her voice is typically described as a light mezzo-soprano, with a nimble upper range and the ability to blend effortlessly into three-part harmonies or stand out during playful solo moments.
She's especially known for her improvised vocal breaks, often drawing from Korean inflections, scat-singing, or filtered effects live. This versatility has made her a standout in collaborations, where her voice becomes both mood and momentum.
Her distinct style has earned praise from fellow artists and collaborators:
SZA posted after watching a 2023 performance: "Yuna. That's it. That's the tweet."
Anderson .Paak, who featured Yuna on a remix in 2024, said in an interview: "She got this thing, man—she sings like a drummer. There's groove in her syllables. No one sounds like her."
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞
Yuna is known for keeping her personal life largely private, often steering interviews away from her romantic relationships or family in favor of creative discussions. In public, she is described as warm, curious, and mischievous, with an inner world that fans and friends alike describe as "quietly expansive."
She has spoken openly about her bicultural identity and the complex feelings that arise from being raised between two cultures. Her parents currently live in Seoul, and Yuna visits regularly, often blending her time between visiting family and collaborating with Korean producers and fashion creatives.
While she has been rumored to have dated a few fellow musicians and creatives, Yuna has never confirmed any public relationships, and in a 2024 interview simply said:
"I'm in love with a lot of things—music, cities, weird buildings, good meals. I'm good right now."
She currently lives in Brooklyn, in what she calls her "organized chaos loft," filled with basses, vintage clothes, sketchbooks, and records. She often posts analog photos, zines, and bassline demos to a private alt-account fans refer to as "Yunaverse," though she has never confirmed it belongs to her.
Yuna is also known for her deep friendships within the music industry, particularly with other multiethnic and genre-fluid artists. She frequently collaborates behind the scenes on demos, styling, and visuals, and is often credited for helping shape the art direction and fashion cohesion of RYM's live tours and visuals.
Despite her lower profile, she has a dedicated fan base, drawn to her mix of artistic curiosity and creative defiance. As one viral fan tweet put it: "Yuna is your favorite bassist's favorite bassist and your favorite weirdo's favorite weirdo. She is the moment."
Romy James (born May 22, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Best known as one-third of the band RYM, James is recognized for her velvet-smooth vocal timbre, genre-blending style, and emotionally precise lyricism. Her solo work draws on classic R&B, hip-hop, and soul influences, often exploring themes of intimacy, identity, and self-reclamation.
𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Romy James was born in Compton, California, and raised by her mother alongside her older sister, Nadine. Her father, who was largely absent during her early years, died when Romy was thirteen years old. She has described her upbringing as "sheltered," crediting her mother for protecting her and her sister from the instability in their neighborhood at the time.
She attended public high school before transferring to a private one for her final years of secondary education. Her love for music began early—sparked by hours spent playing Guitar Hero as a child, which led to her picking up a real guitar at age seven.
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
Romy is often described by fans and collaborators as calm, grounded, and quietly commanding. As the oldest member of RYM, she naturally took on a leadership role within the group, often acting as the voice of reason during creative disagreements and public-facing decisions. Her thoughtful demeanor and direct communication style can make her seem intimidating at first, though those close to her emphasize her loyalty, empathy, and dry sense of humor.
"She doesn't sugarcoat anything," band member Max Lazzari once said in an interview. "She'll tell you exactly what she thinks—but it's always coming from care."
Despite her off-stage subtlety, Romy is known for her magnetic stage presence. During live performances, she exudes confidence, sensuality, and quiet control, often taking the lead during slower numbers or emotionally charged sections of the set.
Her fans admire her for her unapologetic femininity, emotional intelligence, and for being a queer Black woman navigating the alternative and indie music scenes with integrity and self-assurance. Within the RYM dynamic, she is widely seen as the anchor—creative, emotional, and interpersonal—whose steadiness allows the others to flourish in their own chaos and color.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲
Romy James has been a consistent advocate for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's empowerment throughout her career. She publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement and has used her platform to amplify conversations around police brutality, systemic racism, and Black visibility in alternative music spaces.
In addition to her work with LGBTQ+ organizations and youth music programs, James has regularly donated to women's shelters in Los Angeles and New York. She has also performed at multiple fundraising events for single mothers, with proceeds benefiting housing programs, childcare access, and job readiness resources for women raising children alone.
"My mom did everything," she said during one benefit in 2023. "So any time I can sing for someone like her, I will."
Her advocacy is often described as unwavering, rooted in community work and intentional visibility. She remains involved in several outreach programs and continues to use her voice for causes close to her personal experience.
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Romy's standout performances in RYM have often been noted for their control and emotional resonance. During their 2023 tour, her solo rendition of "Yellow Pages" received praise from critics and fans alike.
𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Romy James has established herself as one of the most dynamic vocalists in contemporary alt-R&B, known for her raw power, technical control, and emotional delivery. Her vocal inspirations include Jazmine Sullivan, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, and Jill Scott—artists known for their range, soulfulness, and commanding stage presence.
She is a light-lyric soprano with an impressive range spanning from G2 to G6, capable of delivering both gravelly lows and effortless whistle tones. Romy is known for leaning into vocal intensity, often pushing her voice to emotional and sonic extremes. She frequently performs live without backing tracks, earning widespread praise for her stamina, agility, and ability to hold high notes with power and clarity.
The Line of Best Fit described her voice as "a force of nature—sublime one moment, thunderous the next."
Pitchfork wrote: "James doesn't just sing—she detonates. She's a precision weapon with a soul."
Her vocal prowess has garnered admiration from some of the industry's most respected singers.
Christina Aguilera reposted a clip of Romy's solo performance at Red Rocks with the caption: "Power. Control. Emotion. That's how you do it."
Though often associated with softness due to her tonal warmth, Romy embraces her identity as a powerhouse vocalist, able to shift from smoky phrasing to full belt within a single line. She has said in interviews that she "grew up trying to out-sing the radio," and sees the voice as "an instrument of chaos and clarity at once."
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞
Romy came out publicly as bisexual in 2021. She had previously been in a relationship with Teddy Atkinson, bassist for Civic Waves, whom she remains close friends with. Her last public relationship was with E.R. Fightmaster, the non-binary actor, writer, and musician best known for their role on Grey's Anatomy and their 2023 solo EP Violence. The two parted ways amicably in 2024 after dating for just over a year.
While she has been linked romantically to several figures in the entertainment industry, Romy clarified in a 2025 interview that she is "single and thriving—making music, resting, and healing."
She currently resides in New York. She continues to write, perform, and collaborate both within RYM and as a solo artist.
Magalí Lazzari (born September 30, 1996) is an Argentine-American musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she is best known as the lead guitarist and principal lyricist of the band RYM. Known professionally and affectionately as "Max", the nickname emerged from a mispronunciation of her original nickname "Mags" by her bandmates and quickly caught on with fans.
Lazzari is recognized for her gritty guitar riffs and a distinctive vocal style often described as smoky, full-bodied, and emotionally dynamic—seamlessly shifting between whispered verses and soaring choruses. She is widely credited for shaping RYM's lyrical identity, with themes often exploring grief, displacement, intimacy, and rage.
𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
Lazzari grew up in a bilingual household, moving to the United States at the age of 12. Her mother is American, and her father is Argentine; the two met while he was on a business trip in Florida. When Magalí was fifteen, the family moved to New York. Before launching a full-time music career, Max worked various jobs including babysitting, dental reception, and Spanish tutoring, all while teaching herself music production on the side.
Her entry into the New York indie scene came through Leo Moretti, frontman of Civic Waves, who was distantly related through their fathers. Moretti introduced her to the underground circuit and taught her how to play guitar. Her raw songwriting and introspective voice quickly drew attention from within the scene.
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
Though Lazzari rarely engages online beyond occasional IG posts, she maintains an intensely loyal fanbase who often cite her as the reason they picked up a guitar, left a relationship, or started therapy.
She's infamous for interviews that veer off-script. She rarely plays nice, but it never feels rude — just honest.
Asked about award shows: "They're like family dinners with people you barely know but have to hug."
On genre labels: "Call it whatever you want. Just don't say 'girl band' like it's a genre."
On fame: "It's weird when strangers know your heartbreaks. But also kind of beautiful."
Her clipped delivery and simmering charisma have made her a fan-favorite on panel appearances — often memed or stitched into TikToks.
𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲
Lazzari is a vocal advocate for immigrant rights and education, frequently collaborating with nonprofits in New York City. A portion of RYM's tour proceeds are regularly donated to grassroots organizations supporting undocumented families and language access initiatives.
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Her solo performance during RYM's rendition of "It's a Man's Man's Man's World " at the 2022 Montreux Jazz Festival received critical acclaim.
The Guardian described it as: "A performance that burned through the stage." The moment trended globally, earning millions of views and widespread praise across music outlets and social media platforms.
𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Though often associated with a soul-blues aesthetic, Max has repeatedly emphasized that she is "a rocker at heart." Her musical upbringing included a wide range of rock artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Radiohead, Talking Heads and Oasis. Her love for Hayley Williams and Paramore is so well-known that it has become a running joke within the RYM fandom, spawning TikTok compilations of every time she's mentioned them in interviews.
She has also cited David Bowie, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, No Doubt, and The 1975 as formative influences. One of her favorite albums of all time is Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips.
𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
Max has acknowledged the stylistic impact of powerhouse vocalists such as Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Joan Jett, as well as Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Amy Winehouse.
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞
Despite maintaining a relatively private lifestyle, Magalí Lazzari has been the subject of ongoing public curiosity regarding her personal life. Over the years, she has been linked—often speculatively—to several public figures, largely due to paparazzi photographs or collaborative projects.
Notably, in 2023, she and actor Joe Keery were paired for Australia's Like A Version, where they performed stripped-down covers of each other's songs. Following the segment, the two were photographed together, fueling rumors of a possible romance, though nothing was ever confirmed.
Similarly, she was seen out in New York with SNL cast member Marcello Hernández shortly after RYM appeared as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, prompting further speculation.
Other names she's been rumored to be connected with socially include Thomas Mann and Harris Dickinson—the latter after the two were spotted having lunch in London. It was later revealed that Dickinson had been cast as the romantic lead in an upcoming RYM music video, which helped dispel (though not completely erase) dating rumors.
Lazzari has never publicly commented on her relationship status, and the ambiguity surrounding her personal life has led to frequent speculation about her sexuality, particularly among fans. While she has never explicitly labeled herself, she has long been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, frequently attending Pride parades, reposting queer artists' work, and advocating for safe spaces within the music industry. In a 2022 panel discussion for Billboard, she stated:
"You don't have to understand someone's label or lack of one to respect their existence. That's day one."
This has solidified her status at the very least as an active ally, though many within her fanbase consider her a queer icon.
Outside of music, Lazzari is known for her deep love of cinema and has cultivated a loyal following on Letterboxd, where she posts witty and irreverent reviews under a pseudonymous account that fans quickly uncovered.
Her Top 4 favorite films—unchanged since she joined the platform—are: Uptown Girls (2003); Moulin Rouge! (2001); Zombieland (2009) and 10 Things I Hate About You (1999).
The list has drawn equal parts praise and playful snobbery from cinephile circles. Lazzari has since defended her choices with characteristic wit, replying with a meme from Sex And The City, where the character Lexi Featherstone, played by Kristen Johnston, says: "NO ONE'S FUN ANYMORE. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FUN?!"
Lazzari is also known for her extensive collection of tattoos, many of which remain hidden from public view. Among those confirmed are: a pair of Elton John's sunglasses on her right bicep; a sparrow; a large floral design covering her entire left elbow; the phrase "liberté, égalité, sensualité" above the flower; "this is a love story" on her upper thigh, -an homage to Fleabag-; a frame from the anime Inuyasha on her calf.
When asked how many tattoos she has, she once shrugged and replied: "I lost count. Maybe fifty? Some are visible. Some are secrets. Some are just for the mirror."
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RYM is an American musical trio formed in New York City in 2019. The group consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Romy James, lead guitarist Magalí "Max" Lazzari, and bassist Yuna Wren Leigh. Known for their blend of soul, R&B, blues, and experimental rock, the group is acclaimed for its emotionally raw lyrics, genre-bending arrangements, and the distinct individual styles of its members. Each artist contributes both collaboratively and through solo moments on stage, offering unique sonic textures within a unified identity.
𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
Formation (2018)
The origins of RYM trace back to a New Year's Eve party on December 31, 2018, in New York City, hosted by a musician collective known as Civic Waves—a five-member indie rock band with sonic leanings similar to The Strokes. Romy had recently moved from Los Angeles after a brief relationship with Civic Waves' bassist, Teddy Atkinson, which ended amicably. Yuna, a friend of Ross Pritcherd's younger sister, had relocated to New York for an internship at Parsons School of Design.
Civic Waves, composed of Leo (vocals), Teddy (bass), Miles Reid (drums), Ross (keys/synth), and Parker Collins (guitar), was gaining traction at the time, with a busy year behind them. The New Year's party took place in Leo's massive loft apartment in Brooklyn—a space filled with canvases, amps, and floor pillows, bathed in warm lighting and the buzz of the downtown scene. As the night turned to morning, a spontaneous jam session broke out. Civic Waves began playing, passing instruments around. Eventually, someone handed a mic to Max, Romy and Yuna.
They didn't know each other well—only by name—but seated together on the floor, they started singing freely, exchanging glances, harmonizing, laughing at their own nervousness. They sang a mix of improvised runs and covers. Their rendition of Bill Wither's "Ain't No Sunshine" stunned the room into silence. Someone recorded the performance, and the video quickly went viral on YouTube.
That video became an iconic artifact, widely considered the moment RYM was born. After that night, the three stayed in touch and gradually became close friends. Six months later, Romy suggested performing at open mics. A month after that, Max proposed writing original music, sharing song ideas she'd been working on privately. Within two months, they released their first EP.
𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬
RYM's music is described as a convergence of soul, R&B, blues, alternative rock, and jazz. Their sound features lush bass lines, intricate guitar work, and dynamic vocal layering. While some songs showcase their harmony, others let each member take the spotlight through solo interpretations.
Their technical ability and musical sensitivity have drawn admiration from peers across the industry. Danielle Haim, reflecting on the now-iconic video of their debut jam session, said in Guitar World:
"After watching that video [of 'Ain't No Sunshine']—the one where they meet and just start singing—I wanted to be in that room. The energy they created trumps any production trick. It reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place."
Their sound and lyrical consciousness have been praised across the indie and alternative scenes. Miles Reid of Civic Waves, their longtime collaborator, noted in an interview with The Fader:
"Love those girls. Working with them felt like therapy -and an exorcism at once."
Lucy Dae, lead singer of indie-pop group Hot Tip, said:
"This might be my favorite era of RYM (...) They found the perfect blend of all the stuff I love-- BB, Clapton, Stevie, while still keeping their own style. They are amazing."
Even Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes weighed in, saying:
"They are terrifying. Like, in the best way."
𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
RYM has garnered widespread critical acclaim from major music publications for their emotional depth, evolving sound, and political consciousness.
In a review of their 2020 EP Rooms with No Doors, Metacritic described the record as "a rare kind of sonic intimacy—like flipping through a stranger's journal with permission," and praised the band's "fearless vulnerability and sonic restraint." The publication noted the EP's stripped-back approach as a turning point in the group's artistic maturity.
In a 2022 feature exploring politically engaged acts in the indie landscape, NME wrote: "This is a band with purpose stitched into its chords." The piece highlighted the band's involvement in grassroots activism and their commitment to addressing social issues both onstage and off.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲
Main articles: list of songs recorded by RYM
↪ Debut EP: First Take (2019)
𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠:
RYM's first EP, First Take, is a five-track project inspired by the viral jam session that started it all. It features all three members singing on every track, playing their own instruments—except for drums, which were recorded by Civic Waves' Miles Reid. The EP showcases their early blend of neo-soul, funk, and blues influences, grounded in rich bass lines and expressive vocals.
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞:
"DOWN IN SMOKE" – A groove-heavy opener reminiscent of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' "How Long Do I Have to Wait for You." Yuna's bass leads the track, with playful vocal layering between Romy and Max.
"ROOM 406" – Bright and soulful, echoing the sunshine funk of Marlena Shaw's "California Soul." Features dynamic call-and-response vocals and layered harmonies.
"H.I.M"– The funkiest of the EP, inspired by The Commodores' "Brick House." Max takes the spotlight with a sensual guitar solo midway through.
"GIVE IT UP" – A stripped-back ballad similar in tone to Pixie Lott's "Cry Me Out." Romy's voice shines in a lower register, with Max and Yuna providing ghostly harmonies.
"FAITHLESS" – A bluesy, slow-burning closer in the spirit of Duffy's "Warwick Avenue," featuring Max's rawest vocal performance to date. Quiet, haunting, and emotionally direct.
The EP was modestly received but gained significant attention through Civic Waves' fanbase and music blog circulation. It laid the groundwork for their evolution as a group.
↪ Second EP: Rooms with No Doors (2020)
𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠:
RYM had initially been working on a more ambitious sophomore project, slated for mid-2020, but scrapped nearly all of it in the wake of global lockdowns. In its place, they began working on a smaller, more intimate body of work that better reflected their emotional state and physical confinement during that time.
The resulting EP, Rooms with No Doors, was recorded using minimal gear and entirely self-produced. The apartment setting introduced a lo-fi, intimate sonic quality to the project, emphasizing organic textures, soft reverb, and ambient room sounds that mirrored the emotional and physical stillness of quarantine.
"It wasn't polished. That was the point," Max told Stereogum. "There was no pressure to be clever or perfect. We were just trying to make something that didn't feel hollow."
The band chose to release the songs under minimalist titles—"Track #1" through "Track #6"—to emphasize the unfiltered, demo-like quality of the project and to strip away any imposed narrative.
"We didn't want to title anything because nothing felt definitive," said Romy in a 2021 interview with The FADER. "They were just what we had. They were what got us through."
Miles Reid, drummer of Civic Waves, contributed subtle percussion on several tracks. Reid, whose band had just entered hiatus after a canceled tour, called the collaboration "the first time I felt like myself again that year."
𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬:
Rooms with No Doors blends acoustic folk, ambient indie, and spoken-word fragments, often featuring tape hiss, ambient noise, and the sound of the room itself. Vocals are layered sparingly—close-mic'd, whispered, or harmonized in a way that feels like sitting inside a conversation.
Thematically, the EP touches on: Emotional paralysis and claustrophobia; grief and isolation; dreamlike states of memory; sudden domestic intimacy.
The sonic palette leans into soft reverb, warm acoustic strums, analog keys, and subtle percussion. Yuna's use of upright bass and found sounds (keys jangling, water boiling) added to the EP's documentary-like intimacy.
𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Though released without major promotion, Rooms with No Doors was widely praised by critics and fans alike, especially for its emotional honesty and lo-fi vulnerability.
DIY Magazine called it "one of the most quietly important pandemic records you may have missed. The emotional clarity here is radical."
NPR Music included the EP in its end-of-year roundup of essential pandemic-era projects, noting: "It captures a kind of quiet grief that's hard to articulate but instantly recognizable. This is what 2020 sounded like if you were paying attention to your breath."
𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲
Though small in scope, Rooms with No Doors is often cited by the band and critics as the emotional and sonic reset that allowed RYM to clarify their artistic direction. Several tracks from the EP were later rearranged and performed during their 2023 tour, including "Track #3", which became a fan favorite for its haunting group harmonies and soft, reverb-soaked breakdown.
"We didn't know it then, but that EP saved us," said Yuna in a 2022 roundtable. "It reminded us why we started doing this together."
The EP also marked the first time each member took a lead vocal on separate songs, a choice that would shape the group's approach to their debut studio album, This Could Be Something, released in late 2022.
𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐛𝐮𝐦𝐬:
- This Could Be Something (2022)
Released on November 4, 2022, This Could Be Something is RYM's debut studio album, issued through Human Re Sources, a Los Angeles–based distribution and artist services company known for championing independent artists. The band signed with the label in early 2022 after the underground success of their EPs RYM (2019) and Rooms with No Doors (2020). Human Re Sources, founded by J. Erving, later became part of Sony Music Entertainment under The Orchard.
The 16-track album features: 8 brand-new songs; fan favorites from both EPs; Three solo tracks, one from each member: "Track #1" (Max's reimagining of their 2020 demo); "Yellow Pages" (Romy's alt-soul, piano-led solo); "Not Like Them" (Yuna's funky, bilingual track with jazz horns).
The album was recorded in a mix of bedroom sessions and studio work at Electric Lady Studios in New York. Production was handled by the band, with additional engineering support from Nico Valen.
To promote the release, RYM embarked on their first full-length international tour in 2023, performing sold-out shows across North America, Europe, and select dates in South America and Asia. Their live performances received widespread acclaim for their vocal layering, raw instrumentation, and personal stage presence.
- Parallel Bodies (2023)
Released on February 2, 2024, Parallel Bodies marked RYM's sonic expansion and critical breakthrough. While on tour promoting their debut, the group began writing material backstage, on buses, and in hotel rooms. The album was recorded in Los Angeles throughout 2023.
Notably, Parallel Bodies was produced in collaboration with Mark Ronson, who personally reached out to the band after attending one of their London shows. Ronson co-produced nine of the album's fourteen tracks, blending the group's emotive lyricism with textured, analog-forward arrangements.
"Mark understood us right away," Romy said in an interview with Dazed. "He didn't try to reshape anything. He just added dimension."
The album contains: 8 full-band tracks; 2 solo songs each. Max: "Nightline", "Slow Burn Heart"; Romy: "In Case I Forget", "Thirty-One"; Yuna: "Calle Luna", "Jigsaw Room".
The record was praised for its depth, ambition, and emotional complexity. The Guardian called it "a glimmering, layered album that deepens with every listen," while Rolling Stone hailed it as "a masterclass in vulnerability and control."
A deluxe edition was released on October 20, 2024, featuring live versions of all 14 songs, recorded at their acclaimed Red Rocks Amphitheatre show earlier that summer.
- Untitled third album (TBA, 2025)
RYM began teasing their third studio album in early 2025, sharing cryptic footage, studio clips, and snippets of unreleased lyrics. Though fans anticipated a summer rollout, no singles or official announcements had been made as of mid-2025. The band has hinted at a late 2025 release, though the title, tracklist, and collaborators remain under wraps.
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬
While all three members of RYM have explored individual artistry outside the group, Magalí "Max" Lazzari remains the only one to have released two solo EPs. Both Romy James and Yuna Wren Leigh have also pursued solo endeavors in different formats—through individual releases, collaborations, and special projects:
Magalí "Max" Lazzari launched her self-titled solo project Max in 2023, diverging stylistically from RYM's eclectic group dynamic to explore a rawer, more intimate sound. She is the only member to have released two full solo EPs under her stage name. Her solo work leans heavily into alt-rock, grunge, and moody indie textures, often accompanied by deeply personal and conceptual themes. Lazzari is heavily involved in the production of her solo material, co-producing her debut EP and fully self-producing her second. To date, she has released two critically acclaimed EPs: Redline (2023) and Jamais Vu (2024).
- Redline (2023)
Released in June 2023, Redline marked Max's debut as a solo artist and co-producer. The five-track EP introduced a heavier, distorted sound driven by guitar feedback, analog drum machines, and aggressive vocal layering. Thematically, the project centered around emotional volatility, burnout, and self-confrontation.
"It's like watching someone hit the gas until the car breaks apart—ugly, beautiful, loud," wrote Pitchfork in their 8.1 review.
NME called it "a blistering, bloodshot debut—unapologetically feminine, feral, and full throttle."
Rolling Stone described Redline as "a collection of night drives, emotional skids, and psychic tailspins—somehow cathartic and headbanging at once."
Max herself explained the layered meaning behind the title:
"Redline has a few layers. Mechanically, it's the limit—past the safe zone, right? I was living there emotionally. Operating at full tilt. The songs are all from that zone: desire, rage, fame, grief, whatever—it was all revved up, no brakes."
She co-produced the EP alongside longtime engineer and friend Nico Valen, describing the process as "chaotic but freeing." The standout track, "Out the Window," was described by Clash as "PJ Harvey meets The Kills in a late-night collision."
- Jamais Vu (2024)
Max's second EP, Jamais Vu, arrived in May 2024 as a sonic and emotional counterpoint to Redline. Entirely self-produced, the project retained the emotional depth of Redline but embraced a more experimental, atmospheric and introspective tone—combining lo-fi textures, field recordings, and ambient vocal layering to evoke themes of romanticization, estrangement, and perception.
"A twilight sister to Redline—this time Max isn't crashing, she's floating," wrote Dazed Digital.
Rolling Stone highlighted the record's "sense of romantic unrest and quiet rebellion."
BrooklynVegan described it as "what it sounds like to walk home from the party alone, high on memory and wanting more."
The title references the French psychological term jamais vu, which describes the experience of perceiving something familiar as unfamiliar.
"It's the opposite of déjà vu. It's when the familiar feels brand new, and that's how I survive sometimes—by forcing myself to find beauty in the boring, in the everyday," Max said in an interview with Flood Magazine.
Max described the writing and self-producing process as "solitary, terrifying, and exactly what I needed." The EP's closing track "Unlisted Number" became a cult favorite for its whispered chorus and ghostly production, with Consequence naming it one of the best indie songs of the summer.
Both EPs have established Max as a powerful solo voice in the alt-rock space, unafraid to confront emotional extremes with both sonic experimentation and lyrical vulnerability.
In August 2023, Romy James released her debut solo EP, In Bloom, under her full name. The six-track project, with a total runtime of 32 minutes, marked a significant artistic moment for Romy, allowing her to explore a more personal, sensual, and vocally expressive sound outside of RYM's group dynamic.
Stylistically, In Bloom draws heavily from classic R&B and early 2000s hip-hop, incorporating influences from artists such as Aaliyah, Brandy, Faith Evans, and Sade. Romy co-produced the project with New York–based producer Nisa Jordan, blending layered harmonies, vinyl-warm beats, and spoken-word interludes that speak to themes of desire, power, and softness reclaimed.
"I was trying to write from a place of sensuality without shame," Romy shared in an interview with The FADER. "To allow myself to sound beautiful without apologizing for it. I called it In Bloom because I think blooming can be messy and gorgeous and private and loud—all at once."
The EP includes four original tracks and two reinterpretations:
"Let It Burn" by Jazmine Sullivan, slowed down and re-harmonized with ambient guitar.
"Ex-Factor" by Lauryn Hill, rendered almost a cappella with minimal synth
Fellow artists were quick to praise Romy's solo debut.
Victoria Monét tweeted, "Romy's tone? Um, excuse me????"
Janelle Monáe, in an Instagram story, wrote: "This is late-night truth serum. Don't play it if you're not ready to feel something."
Normani, in a radio interview, said: "I've listened to that EP on repeat."
In Bloom positioned Romy as a rising solo voice in contemporary R&B, carving out a space that was confident, intimate, and wholly her own.
The EP gained wider attention in 2025 when one of its tracks, "Peach Wine," was featured on the preshow playlist for Beyoncé's 2025 world tour, exposing Romy's solo work to a global stadium audience.
While Yuna Wren Leigh has not released a solo EP or album as of 2025, she has built an impressive portfolio as a featured artist and session musician, collaborating across genres with a variety of acclaimed acts. Her distinctive bass playing and playful, genre-fluid vocals have earned her recognition within both indie and mainstream circles.
She has been featured on tracks with: Anderson.Paak; Thundercat; Scary Pockets; Dua Lipa; H.E.R.
In 2024, Yuna contributed to the Talking Heads tribute album Stop Making Sense, playing bass on Miley Cyrus's version of "Psycho Killer." The tribute album also featured Paramore's rendition of "Burning Down the House," where Yuna met the band and later introduced them to Max—fulfilling one of her longtime dreams.
Yuna also met members of the Argentinian indie rock band Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado during the project and personally congratulated them on their version of "Slippery People."
Her solo work is often teased in live sessions and interviews, with Yuna hinting at a future release that blends future funk, Korean ballads, and "something totally weird."
RYM is an American musical trio formed in New York City in 2019. The group consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Romy James, lead guitarist Magalí "Max" Lazzari, and bassist Yuna Wren Leigh. Known for their blend of soul, R&B, blues, and experimental rock, the group is acclaimed for its emotionally raw lyrics, genre-bending arrangements, and the distinct individual styles of its members. Each artist contributes both collaboratively and through solo moments on stage, offering unique sonic textures within a unified identity.
