Renée Catrine’s bold new album, From the Garden, embraces a complex combination of playful and brooding, exploring themes of movement, reflection and perseverance, and leaving the listener to contemplate ‘what is enough?’ through warm and soothing vocals, richly orchestrated instrumentation, and captivating storytelling.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Renée about the latest music, AI’s impact, choosing a favorite song, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
AI (aka Artificial Intelligence aka Chat GPT 4.0)… How is it changing the music world? What are your thoughts about this new trend?
I don’t yet have a lot of experience with AI. I have talked with several music creators about AI but I have not yet used it myself. One of my goals for the fall is to learn more about AI and its use in music and music production.
Can you choose a favorite song of all time? Or is this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
Oh, that’s tough! I think my favorites change over time and depending on my mood. My current top three songs:
This Gift – Glen Hansard
Astronaut – Amanda Palmer
Dans La Nuit – Cœur de Pirate
What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
I am very happy that I listened to my intuition and redid certain parts that I felt needed more time. I’m also glad that I listened to my engineers’ advice. For example, engineer Carl Barc recommended adding upright bass on Les Laurentides. He recommended upright bassist Malcolm Gold who totally elevated the song with his beautiful playing. Also, engineer Paul Oliveira had me redo the guitar solo on Messy so that I could give energy to the spaces between the notes. He was right and I’m really happy with how the guitar solo sounds now. I also feel proud that I captured the energy and atmosphere I was going for on The Closing.
With this release, I was trying to widen my songwriting range. I was craving more upbeat and fun songs in my life. It brought me a lot of joy to write more driving songs on this record mixed in with the more introspective ballads.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
I usually have something that I’m trying to express. I love the entire craft of writing a song – from the early scribbling in a blank notebook, to editing words on my computer, to pairing words with harmonic or melodic ideas that I compose on the piano… I enjoy every step of the songwriting process. There are definitely moments of frustration along the way, of course, but I am pretty determined to see my musical visions come to life through the recording process.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
Fun question! I would love to collaborate with Cœur de Pirate, Amanda Palmer, Régine Chassagne or Taylor Swift. I respect each of these songwriters immensely. I think it would be fun to develop a song with them and get to know their songwriting processes. I would’ve loved to collaborate with Edith Piaf.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Last song that I listened to: Jackie – Sinéad O’Connor. I love The Frames/Glen Hansard, Fiona Apple, Jacques Brel and Joni Mitchell.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
I am on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and somewhat on TikTok (links below). It is also my goal to use my blog more on my website. My music is available for streaming on all major streaming platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd8h7PxUlJopn8x2k_I5gvAhttps://www.instagram.com/renee.catrine/
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
Thank you so much! I want to plug the band The Przmatics. Mike Przygoda arranged the strings on my new album, From The Garden. He is an incredibly gifted songwriter, arranger and advisor.
Thanks! This was a lot of fun!
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