Courier-Post, August 31,
2000
Real rock 'n' roll
Atco native joins
an elite group of black women with her music and lyrics
By
LISA ANN MYERS
Courier-Post Staff
Robin
Renee has never believed in or lived up to stereotypes. She's
an openly bisexual, African-American rock 'n' roll artist - two
things she says that make her different.
Upon
first glance, the 33-year-old appears to be a sultry rhythm and
blues diva. But when she plays her acoustic guitar and belts
out her fiery lyrics, it's clear her soul belongs to rock 'n'
roll.
"How
many black women do you know who play rock 'n' roll?" the
Atco woman says, sipping coffee at the cafe of Borders Books
and Music in Marlton. "Sure, there's Tracy Chapman, but
she's really got a folk sound. Other than her, there aren't many
of us out there. People in the (music) industry have said it's
actually tough to market a black female in rock. How can someone
market you when the image and music are discordant?"
Since
she didn't "fit" into the categories of main-stream
record companies, Renee decided to produce her first full- length
CD, In Progress. She and her band recorded the CD at Lindenwold
recording studio Vortex Sound. She handles all of her own publicity
and books her own shows.
Released
last year, the album is doing well. Reviews by Philadelphia Gay
News, New York Blade and Songwriter's Monthly as well as other
publications around the country have been positive. She's even
heard herself on the radio.
"It
was quietly exciting ... affirming, but not unexpected. I just
think about getting to the next place," Renee says.Her voice
is traveling beyond radio and concert venues. While at the Philadelphia
bar Sisters, Jackie Russ heard her friends talking about a new
artist who "kicks butt." Russ borrowed the CD and has
dubbed Renee "her favorite new artist."
"The
lyrics speak to you," says Russ of Philadelphia. "She'
s not a head-banger, she's not a rapper, she's just real. Her
stuff takes you somewhere and then brings you back feeling changed
in some way."
While
Renee cannot be compared to any one artist, her music takes one
on a roller coaster ride through sound. Her voice often quivers
with passion and emotion.
The
first cut, Empire, is a hard-rocking song about life in New York
City. The next two songs, For Today and Progress, have a smooth,
folk flavor.
Perhaps
the most intense cut from the CD is Silent Partner, a song with
ripping electric guitar riffs and poignant lyrics.
"I've
been likened to Alanis Morrisette in this one because I express
a lot of anger," says Renee, noting that the song is about
trying to help someone who has a drug problem. "Like life,
I think my music is about making a connection - romantically,
culturally and spiritually."
Renee
and her band have been playing small venues like Ebeneezer's
Cafe in Mount Laurel and Doll's Place in New Brunswick for the
past year. Like any artist, Renee would love to play large arenas.
But for now, she is content with the opportunity to play wherever
and whenever she can.
"Performing
is so powerful, so naked. I try to do it as close to the bones
as I can," Renee says, her eyebrow ring glistening in the
sunlight streaming through the window. "I love hearing the
applause and having people tune into my music."
Aside
from her music, people relate to Renee on other levels. Openly
bisexual, she is a gay activist who is the events planner for
Bi-Zone of Central Jersey, a group that promotes diversity.
"It's
important for people to know that being gay is not shameful,"
says Renee. "I want my music as well as my activism to expand
ideas about sex and gender ... being bisexual certainly informs
all that I am, but I wouldn't say I'm a queer writer. I write
music for everyone."
Renee
grew up in Atco and began writing and playing music when she
was in elementary school. Originally, she played the piano but
picked up guitar along the way. While in elementary school, she
started her own bands, Solar Explosion and the Half Mann Band.
"Music
can get to something in my spirit that I can't access through
other art forms," Renee recalls.
In
high school, she frequently wrote songs but wasn't affiliated
with a band.
It
wasn't until she entered Rutgers University- Livingston in New
Brunswick that she began performing publicly, playing small venues
with bands like Chapter 12 and Spy Gods.
Dissatisfied
as a bio-chemistry major, she switched to English to focus more
on the poetry that would later become songs.
Now
that Renee is on her way to becoming a well-known artist, she's
focusing on creating more music but would like to remain an independent
artist to maintain her freedom.
"I'll
consider any deals that come along, but I love knowing I'm in
control of my music."
Renee
spends most of her time traveling throughout New Jersey and Philadelphia,
playing coffee houses and bars. The busy musician always finds
time to write music and center her spirit.
"I
write spontaneously. It's almost like channeling. Things come
to me and I try to be open to it," Renee says. " I
carry a tape recorder with me to catch it when inspiration strikes.
But no matter what I'm doing, I try to center myself and find
that quiet place within myself. Creativity cannot flow without
it."
Robin
Renee
AGE:33
OCCUPATION: Singer/songwriter
RESIDENCE: Atco
COLLEGE: Bishop Eustace High School graduate; bachelor of arts
degree from Rutgers University-Livingston, New Brunswick.
QUOTE:
"I'm trying to create something from my center, something
that moves me and moves others to see beyond their stereotypes."
For
information:
For concert information or to order the CD,
`In Progress' by Robin Renee, visit the Web site,
www. robinrenee.com.
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