We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ren Richards. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ren below.
Alright, Ren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
That’s a loaded question! I’ve got years under my belt of vocal lessons, writing hundreds of songs, gigging 3-5 times a week, rehearsing, etc. All things that are necessary to getting better at the craft. Ultimately, the learning never stops and depending on what you’re trying to pursue within the industry what I’ve found to be the most important thing is to find your own voice, and that takes time! It also means you have to focus on growing as a person outside of music as well, so you can bring your story to the music. I’d say that’s the most essential thing to being an artist– being true to yourself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a singer/songwriter residing in Nashville, TN. I got my start in music playing for a metal band in high school. It’s where I started my songwriting journey, and once we broke up, I continued writing. I found my way to Nashville in 2018 after visiting and experiencing the songwriting scene. I’m inspired by female songwriters from the 70’s -90’s and I believe you can hear it in my music. I released my debut EP in early 2022 called Think Before I Sing inspired by a bad break up I’d been through and the grief that comes with that. I recently followed that up with a new single called “Cautious”. It’s about being afraid to let yourself fall into love. Both are a good representation of where I’ve been and where I’m headed.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Two things- the first one being that I always have an outlet to express myself. No matter what I’m going through, I have a place I can put my feelings and thoughts into. The second being when someone connects to the music I put out there, nothing is more satisfying because that’s the point of music, to connect to it, to feel something. So, when someone experiences that from my songs, it makes me feel like I’m doing something right in the world.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Fostering the arts within our youth and the local community. It’s been proven that when kids are given a safe place to express themselves through the arts it nurtures their emotional health. It’s been shown to improve concentration, teamwork, confidence, motivation, and a plethora of other developmental areas. All characteristics that allow kids to grow into the truest versions of themselves. Having a community filled with arts only fosters that more, and is what builds culture and brings people together. Art, music, theatre, dancing, etc. is what connects us, and it’s essential to our humanity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.renrichardsmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renrichardsmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renrichardsmusic/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/renrichards_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@renrichardsmusic
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Wd8uGoOdo8RphJOapOa34?si=hdUizZ1vSqmz0R7ZyjIoGg
Image Credits
1. Riley Mau Photography 2. Nicole Murphy Photography 3. John Brown Photography 4. Nicole Murphy Photography 5. Nicole Murphy Photography