Listen to the live interview  Episode #485: A.V.A Live Radio Behind The Music with Jacqueline Jax : http://tobtr.com/10085203

 

Jacqueline Jax logo photoGETTING TO KNOW RENNIE D
by Jacqueline Jax host of A.V.A Live Radio

(Ren Daversa, Singer / Songwriter / Producer)

Writing and recording this song was an amaaaazing experience!
What a rush to have complete control over the direction of the song and to hear it recorded exactly as I had imagined it! I can honestly say that creating this song, from start to finish, has been one of the most fulfilling and enlightening moments of my musical career.

I have been singing, writing and playing guitar since 1993...
I began my musical journey much later than most. When I started, I was a self-employed, 30-ish divorced single mother of two small boys with dreams of becoming a rock star. My decision to become a singer / songwriter was quick and deliberate. I am a Capricorn. I simply decided to be a singer and I needed songs to sing, so I went about the work of figuring out how to do that… not an easy task in the pre-internet world (LOL!). I read books (yes, those paper things with printed words inside). I took some voice classes at the community college and taught myself to play guitar and piano. And I started writing songs… lots of songs.

Song name: Just One Word
Music Genre/ category : Acoustic-pop
“Just One Word” represents my rebirth as a songwriter It’s a quirky little love song that I wrote for every person who just can’t seem to find the right words to say how they feel… only to realize that there may be only one word that really matters.

It is the first song that I have written in 10 years and the first song that I have produced on my own. It was a song that demanded to be written. It wouldn’t leave me alone until I picked up my guitar and put the pen to paper.

https://www.reverbnation.com/rennied/song/27707396-rennie-d-just-one-word

 

 

I spent the next 14 years becoming a musician….
writing, singing and recording original music. Playing hundreds of shows to get my music out there. I played in bands for 10,000 people and performed solo with just my guitar at a coffeeshop. I became a better songwriter and a stronger guitar player and performer. I even played bass in one side project, which was really challenging and gave birth to my love of synchopated rhythms. I released two full-length albums and countless EPs. It was a great ride and I am forever grateful for that time of my life. It shaped me as a musician, a woman and as a human being.

But all good things must come to an end, and in 2007, I found myself burned out, disillusioned and uninspired. I couldn’t write a song to save my life. I simply had nothing to say. I wasn’t getting any younger (or any richer), and decided it was time to put my dreams on hold indefinitely. I turned my Type A laser beam focus from music to family and business.

I re-married and had a little boy with my new husband, while I helped my older boys make their transition into young adulthood. I started to build a special event business. Life was difficult without my music to get me through the day-to-day. With no way to work out all the new changes in my life and the confusion in my mind and soul with songs, I felt lost. I couldn’t listen to music for a long, long time without crying.

I think I always believed that I would play music again. But I wasn’t sure when, and I was not at all sure I could still write a song. When I finally was able to think about it, I looked up and 10 years had flown by. I found myself with a successful business, an almost empty nest, and a little free time.

The stars aligned, and it was time.

I dug my acoustic guitar out of storage, took a deep breath and jumped back into music… the result was my first single… “Just One Word”.

Link: http://cdbaby.com/cd/rennied

 

Expect to hear…
my sound grow and change as I live, learn and write about my perceptions, my feelings and my life experiences. I realize that for a songwriter, the pull of the music is for life. Even if we take a break here and there, it is always with us, just waiting to emerge, so I imagine I will always be learning and growing at one level or another throughout my career as a singer and songwriter.

I am currently writing and recording new songs for my EP, to be released sometime later this year. I am really proud of these new songs that will be featured. “The Upside Down” is my favorite right now, and I love the syncopated drum and bass rhythm that supports the lyrics and creates the movement for the song. The lead guitar in that song is like a firm, but gentle hand caressing the lyrics and gives me chills just thinking about it.

“Closer” is another one of my new tunes and addresses the importance and value of starting and maintaining a relationship with honesty and integrity.

“Just One Word”, of course, will forever hold a place of honor in my catalog and will definitely be included on this new record.

I am mindful and am enjoying the process. I am taking my time creating this collection of songs. They are all so significant to me, and represent the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of someone who has been up and down and all around. I hope these songs appeal to both young listeners and older music lovers. I like to think of myself as a vintage woman creating something cool and relevant, yet accessible to a wide audience.

I hope my songs resonate with people. I hope it takes them away for a little while. I want them to think and feel. I want them to be strong. I want them to tap their feet and sing along. And if they just want to relax and dream, they can do that too.

I look forward to sharing my new songs with my old friends and new fans and thank you for talking the time to hear my story.

 

I live in sunny San Diego, California…
Beautiful beaches, lots of things to do and great weather all year long. The current original music scene is quite a bit different than when I was playing pre-2007. Clubs and special events want the predictability of DJs and cover bands, now, and small live music venues that used to cater to original music are getting harder and harder to find. There are so many things to do in San Diego, I just think the local music scene is a low priority. Those of us who have played original music here for a long time are all very supportive of each other, which is something to be grateful for, but every day there are less and less places to play and there is very little, if any, money to be made.

Currently, I choose to share my music with those who can benefit from it most. I donate my performance time to worthy causes… breast cancer, mental illness, and environmental issues. If there is a stage, just invite me and I will play it. I also spend a lot of my free time performing private concerts for assisted living patients, the developmentally disabled and the visually impaired. Music means so much to them, and I am honored and always humbled, when I am able to share my songs with them.

 

Music business…
It is a fabulous time to be an independent artist! I have only been writing, recording and playing out in this new digital world since the beginning of 2017 so I am still riding the learning curve. I am realizing that the music business today is much different than the music business I was in even just 10 years ago. There are now avenues available to us as independent artists that were reserved only for those acts that were signed to a record label. I am learning a lot about current platforms for advertising and promotion, social media and distribution. It is always an exciting time when a musical artist can be independent AND successful and I am excited to be a part of it!

 

 

I would love to have 5 minutes alone with…
I can only choose one (LOL!)? That is a tough one. I think it would have to be Linda Perry, formerly of 4 Non-Blondes… I dream of working with a producer who knows how to inspire and stretch an artist to can bring out the best in a singer and songwriter. I loved her production on Pink’s first album and then on “Beautiful” with Christina Aguilera. Wow! Totally in awe!

 

Website and social media links: :
WEBSITE : www.RennieD.com

TWITTER : https://twitter.com/RenDaversa

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/renniedmusic/

INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/rendaversa/

SOUNDCLOUD : https://soundcloud.com/rennied

REVERBNATION : https://www.reverbnation.com/rennied

YOUTUBE :
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2YnYk2-kjXzvB3uXzbLGmg/videos

 

Save

Save