Emerging artist Ren Genevieve is redefining empowerment through music with her latest single “gods to ground.” Her creative journey has been a blend of introspection, confidence, and innovative soundscapes that captivate listeners. As she gears up for her debut EP tongue tied, Ren Genevieve opens up to Apricot Magazine about the inspiration behind her new release, her multicultural upbringing, and what lies ahead in her artistic journey.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Ren Genevieve to explore her artistic journey, the inspiration behind her latest single “gods to ground,” and the creative process of her debut EP tongue tied. Ren shared insights into her multicultural background, her approach to blending vulnerability and confidence in her music, and her evolution as a songwriter and producer. Through this engaging conversation, it’s clear that Ren‘s artistry is guided.
Interview with Ren Genevieve
“gods to ground” is a bold and empowering track. How did crafting the instrumental first influence the direction and tone of the song?
Ren: I was more focused on finding sounds that felt right or sounded interesting to me. I didn’t have a narrative concept for the song going into it, but I knew how I wanted the song to feel. I wanted it to feel a bit dreamy, mysterious, fun, and confident. I started really playing around and looking for instruments that evoked that for me, which shaped the tone of the song and led me to the narrative direction for the song.
You’ve described “gods to ground” as capturing a sense of confidence and self-empowerment. Was there a specific moment or experience in your life that inspired these themes?
Ren: I’ve always been encouraged to be self-empowered, which has often led me to try things even if I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be. Even so, I think there are several moments and experiences in my life in which I wanted to be more confident. As I was working on the track for “gods to ground,” it felt really bold. So I drew on both of those moments and experiences. I combined times when I was super confident with the confidence I imagined myself to have in moments when I wasn’t. I shaped the lyrics from that perspective to capture that feeling of basking in the extremity of confidence.
Your multicultural upbringing spans Boston, New York, Michigan, and Bermuda. How have these places influenced your perspective, both as an artist and as an individual?
Ren: I think that these places are a part of me in a really central way. I was born in Boston, and grew up in New York, Michigan, and Bermuda. My core life experiences of growing up occurred in these places, and are central to my growth as a person and an artist. These life experiences inspire my art, and influence my perspective as an artist.
Music has a way of resonating differently with everyone. What’s the most memorable interaction or feedback you’ve received from a listener?
Ren: I had a really cool interaction with someone in the comments on TikTok. HA! I posted a snippet of a song that is out on streaming platforms, and did the whole “if you like this snippet, check out the whole song.” I happened to still be on the app after posting, and someone commented something like where can I find this. So, I told them. Maybe like 2 minutes later, they commented something about how much they loved the opening line of the second verse, which I had not posted. I was so surprised! I really didn’t expect them to immediately go and listen to the song. This was the first time that something like that has happened to me. It was just really lovely! The fact that they resonated with the song was so so meaningful to me! It’s really nice when you write something, and what you’re saying really does resonate with other people. I never expect that, or take that for granted. I’m so grateful for every single person that listens to something I wrote about myself and my life experiences who connects with my music.
“forts,” the lead single from tongue tied, was introspective, while “gods to ground” is daring and bold. Can you share how you balance vulnerability and confidence in your music?
Ren: I draw from personal life experiences and observations when I write. I think that life is a balance of confidence and vulnerability. I think in a way they have a mutually symbiotic relationship. You need vulnerability to have confidence, and you need confidence to be vulnerable. So, in a way, I think they naturally balance each other out as I’m writing a song. It is something that I thought about a lot as I worked on the EP. When I was choosing songs, I thought a lot about what each song represented, and how the sequencing would impact the listeners’ perception of vulnerability and confidence throughout the EP.
The lavish imagery and layered production in “gods to ground” really stand out. How do you go about creating such vivid soundscapes and marrying them to your lyrics?
Ren: Because this song started with the production and I didn’t have a narrative concept at the beginning of the writing process, there was an immediate sense of playfulness from the start. I didn’t have any ideas or expectations about what the song would be. Typically, I write a song acoustically on piano or guitar and by the time I have finished writing the melody and lyrics, I have a really clear idea in my head of what I want the track to sound like. So, when I’m working on the track I’m looking for instruments that sound like what I’m hearing in my head. This song was almost like working backward for me. In deconstructing my typical writing process, I found a new way to craft the lyrical storytelling out of the soundscape that I was creating.
What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself while creating your debut EP, tongue tied?
Ren: I’ve learned a lot about my ability to be flexible. Similarly to my writing process, I had an idea in my head that I was working towards when I started working on this EP. The process of actually working on it made me think critically at every single detail, which led me to question my concept and adapt it to make it even better than what I thought it would be when I started the EP. By the time the EP was finished, it had gone through many interactions with completely different tracks, and turned into something vastly different but even better than my initial idea.
Your previous releases have garnered praise from notable press outlets. How has this recognition impacted your confidence and vision as an artist?
Ren: It’s so exciting, and it’s really encouraging! It’s good to know that my music is getting positive attention and resonating with listeners.
As an artist who’s also active on social media, how do you use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to connect with fans and share your story?
Ren: I use Instagram and TikTok a lot to connect with fans. I use them to post behind-the-scenes footage, fun videos using my song, and covers. It’s also fun to connect with fans in the comments. HA!
Looking ahead, what’s next for you after tongue tied? Are there any collaborations, genres, or creative ventures you’re eager to explore?
Ren: I love storytelling, so I’m always eager to explore this in all of my creative ventures and collaborations. I’m a performer. I love to perform! I’d love to explore that aspect of the EP once it is out.
In this exclusive interview, Ren Genevieve takes us on a journey through her creative process, multicultural influences, and the empowering themes behind her latest single, gods to ground. She shares how crafting the instrumental first led to a dreamy, bold soundscape and reflects on blending confidence and vulnerability in her music. Ren opens up about memorable fan interactions, the lessons learned while creating her debut EP tongue tied, and how social media has become a meaningful way to connect with listeners. Looking ahead, she’s eager to explore storytelling and live performances, promising more exciting chapters in her artistic journey.
