Ronboy, Matt Berninger – Disaster

Julia Laws brings Matt Berninger into her world of self-doubt on “Disaster,” the second Ronboy single of 2025. The collaboration started during Berninger’s North American tour, where Laws both opened shows and played in his band. They performed this track every night, testing it in front of live audiences before recording.

The song builds around Laws’ admission of being hard on herself: thoughts that usually stay private now get a public response from The National’s frontman. His baritone cuts through the mix in Leonard Cohen talk-sing mode, adding weight to her internal dialogue. “I’m a disaster, I’m a disaster” becomes the central refrain, though the music proves otherwise.

Production-wise, “Disaster” marks a shift toward heavier territory for Laws. Ominous keyboards anchor the track while guitars explode at strategic moments. The percussion stays syncopated and skittering, creating tension against the vocal melodies. It’s reminiscent of late-period Radiohead when they got aggressive, but with Laws’ signature vulnerability intact.

The partnership between Laws and Berninger goes back to his solo debut “Serpentine Prison.” She appeared on “Silver Jeep” from his recent “Get Sunk” album and previously collaborated on a Tom Petty cover with Resynator. Their musical relationship has depth beyond this single feature.

Laws spent her early years on Fidalgo Island off Washington’s coast before moving to LA, where she started working venues and producing her own music. Her 2022 debut “Pity to Love” established the Ronboy project, and she’s been building connections across indie rock – filling in on bass for IDLES and touring with Jade Bird.

The upcoming European dates will test “Disaster” in larger venues, with several shows already sold out. Laws has proven she can handle both intimate club settings and major stages, making her one to watch as she moves toward what’s likely her second full-length album.

---

European Tour Dates:

• Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street (August 22)
• Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street *SOLD OUT (August 23)
• Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Galvanizers (August 25)
• Manchester, UK – Albert Hall *SOLD OUT (August 26)
• London, UK – Troxy (August 27)
• Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg *SOLD OUT (August 31)
• Antwerp, Belgium – OLT Rivierenhof *SOLD OUT (September 1)
• Paris, France – Elysee Montmartre (September 2)
• Berlin, Germany – Huxleys *SOLD OUT (September 4)
• Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega *SOLD OUT (September 5)
• Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller Music Hall (September 6)
• Hamburg, Germany – Große Freiheit 36 (September 8)
• Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg *SOLD OUT (September 9)
• Antwerp, Belgium – OLT Rivierenhof *SOLD OUT (September 10)
• Brussels, Belgium – Cirque Royal *SOLD OUT (September 12)