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Walk away, Renee: Musician Robin Renee doesn't
believe in limiting herself to rock 'n' roll Published in the Home News Tribune
9/15/00
By
CHRIS JORDAN
Robin
Renee, former lead singer for New Brunswick bands Spy Gods and
Loved Ones, is turning heads in the gay, lesbian and bisexual
music world these days.
She
will perform tomorrow night at New Brunswick Pride Center.
The
gig takes place as Renee's debut solo CD, "In Progress,"
is in the Top 20 of the gay-themed Outvoice.com music chart.
She's
up there along with stars including Melissa Etheridge and k.d.
lang. "I
wasn't doing any sort of push for attention in that area but
it just sort of showed up," said Renee, who identifies herself
as a bisexual. "People
are definitely checking it out. It's getting played on gay, lesbian
and bisexual programs."
"In
Progress," is full of coaxing funk grooves, driving rock
jams and earthy, gentle ballads. The track "For Today"
is a lilting, airy alternative rocker, "Progress" disarms
the listener with Renee's demure vocals, and "Silent Partner"
is a combustible hard funk breakdown. Renee's electronically
altered vocals build in intensity until the song's furious ending.
However,
there's no overtly gay, lesbian or bisexual references on "In
Progress," despite its being on the Outvoice.com chart.
"It's
very accessible to everybody," Renee said. "I don't
specifically write to a queer audience. I write about emotions
that everyone can connect with, I hope."
Renee,
33, of Atco, has been connecting with New Brunswick audiences
for years. As the lead singer for the Spy Gods in the 1980s and
early '90s, Renee lent an air of worldly sophistication and world-beat
groove to the local scene. "It
just really expanded into a lot of different angles and it was
unique," Renee said. "I wish we had recorded more and
had been a little more diligent in the business area." Her
time as lead singer for the Loved Ones saw a shift toward a more
rootsy, acoustic rock. But while Renee's previous bands didn't
make the gay music charts, Renee herself was active member of
the area's gay community, especially when she attended Rutgers
University. "I
always addressed (gay) political and social issues," Renee
said. "Nothing much as far as that has has changed."
Presently,
Renee is an events planner for the New Brunswick-based BiZone,
an organization which fosters a visible community for bisexual,
bi-curious and bi-friendly people. The
group's Web site is www.bizone.org. "We
plan social events at various places around the state,"
Renee said. "We support creating a place for people to come
and feel comfortable about their lives and find community."
One
such place for lesbians and bisexuals to find community are lesbian-centered
music festivals. Renee just returned from the Sisterspace Weekend
festival in Darlington, Md., which featured lesbian performers
such as the musician Suede and comedian Susan Jeremy. "There
was a lot of enthusiasm and it was fun," Renee said. "I
want to always feel like I'm expanding - I don't want to stagnate."
Besides,
playing at lesbian coffeehouses and festivals offer a couple
of advantages over rock clubs, where people are often easily
distracted away from what's happening on stage. "The
people there," Renee said, "are really there to listen
and to hear music."
Published on September 15, 2000
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