Voyage Dallas Interview
https://voyagedallas.com/interview/check-out-rens-story
Today we’d like to introduce you to Ren.
Hi Ren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was always fascinated by music. Something about telling a story through song just spoke to me in a deep way. I grew up listening to Jim Croce, Linda Ronstadt, Paul McCartney & Wings, and early 90s country greats like David Ball and Leann Womack.
I knew I wanted to write and sing, so I pursued music any chance I got. Singing in the church choir, piano and voice lessons, and eventually getting my BA in Music at Texas Woman’s University.
I started writing at a young age, but sharpening my music skills really helped add depth to both my lyrics and accompaniment. I released my first EP, “Eclectic”, in 2018 and have been releasing music ever since! I regularly attend open mics and play shows and it brings me so much joy- not just to perform and share my own music, but to listen to others in the community share as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve hit a few bumps in the road, like anyone else, but I can’t complain. In music, like in life, you have to surround yourself with the people who encourage you to be better and do better. The grass is greenest where you water it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The most time I spend on a song is on the lyrics. I love puns! My songs set me apart that way. Most people who know my music have heard GameBoy, my most recent single. It’s jam packed with wordplay and video game references!
I also write about my struggles with Fibromyalgia- a chronic illness that causes constant widespread pain and fatigue. I try to keep most of my music upbeat even if the lyrics are low, because that’s who I am.
What matters most to you? Why?
Connecting with others. That’s what myself and all the other artists in the world do, and why we make our art. We are shouting out into the void in the hopes to be seen and connect with someone other than ourselves. If even one person is changed for the better, feels seen, or considers a point of view they’d never considered before because of a song I wrote, then I consider that a roaring success.
