Jersey muse - Your guide to women singer-songwriters from the Garden State (excerpt)

BOB MAKIN Staff Writer
Published in the Courier News on December 7, 2003

There are several male music artists from New Jersey enjoying recent success at various levels, including roots rockers Robert Randolph (Warner Bros.) and Peter Karp (Backbender), alterna-roots singer-songwriter Matt Witte of New Blood Revival (Atlantic), emo-rocker Val Emmich (Epic) and Albie Monterrosa of deSol (Curb). But when was the last time a woman artist topped the rich and fertile New Jersey music scene, which at last count boasted 27 major label acts among its many participants?

Kate Jacobs has had some national attention on Hoboken-based Bar None Records and so has Margo Hennebach on a couple of indies. But outside of Lauryn Hill and Princeton-raised Mary Chapin Carpenter, what presence do Garden State gals have on major or even large independent labels?

The following 10 artists (see profile of Kathy Phillips on page 1O) all deserve to be national acts, based on their entertainment value, vocal talent, performance chops and songwriting skills. Many of them also have the driving ambition needed to do the hard work of a full-time, nationally recognized musician. Yet, these talented lasses go woefully ignored by a music industry that often prefers to have women dance around nearly naked as they moan -- and frequently lip sync -- into a microphone. But these women don't make music for the fame or for the money.
After you've read the following profiles, give them your support. They've earned it.

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Robin Renee, mystical enchantress whose positive vibes and personal imagery weave a tapestry of freedom and wellness
Few musicians in New Jersey are as intense, well-meaning and clear-headed as Robin Renee. Equal parts mantra and folk-rock, Renee is beginning to combine both her musical passions in an effort to unite her divergent audiences.
"It's like spiritual pop," she said. "They work well together. When I play clubs, people will say, `I really like the part where you sing in another language (ancient Sanskrit)."

Her musical path partially has been paved by producer Scott Mathews (George Harrison, Elvis Costello). She's very proud of "All Six Senses," the indie CD she made with him.
"We had a blast," she said. "He's hilarious, and we came out with what I intended to make."

Before going solo, Renee logged time in the New Brunswick alternative rock bands Spy Gods and The Loved Ones.

What you can do
Renee will perform Jan. 7 at John & Peter's, New Hope, Pa., and Jan. 29, Grape Street Pub, Philadelphia.

Visit www.robinrenee.com. "

from the Courier News website www.c-n.com