ROM was started by Romain Renard and delivers an impressionistic music that combines the energy of rock the tonal colors of jazz, and primal blues. ROM's shows are genuine sonic labyrinths, taking the audience for a wander from the streets of Brussels to the meandering corners of Tangiers. ROM's songs are about travels, meeting strangers, moods, and far-off destinations. ROM was the first laureate at the "Belle à chanter" international contest in Mons, and second laureate at Spa's Francofolies'04 The "Etoile du sud" show was created at la Maison en Folie (Mons) in january 2007, with the participation of les Productions du Dragon run by Franco Dragone. The "Etoile du sud" album showcases many of the songs performed for the show in newly recorded and arranged versions, plus new tracks that hint the trip is not over. Today, ROM is a five-piece and consists in Jean-Christophe Carrière (guitars), Martin Lauwers (Funk Sinatra, Univers Zero– violin, keyboards), François Verrue (Zop Hophop, Françoiz Breut, Rackham, Kris Dane, Grand Piano – bass and double bass), and Didier Fontaine (dEUS, Le rythme des fourmis, Odieu, Marie Warnant, The Claude Zac Ensemble – drums).