Carey Renee – House is Burning

By starrymag | August 4, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My background in music is quite diverse and I think that has helped me bring a very well-rounded approach to my music. I have a hard time identifying what my genre really is. Honestly, I’m a bit of a chameleon musically. I have a lot of soul and power in my voice, which surprises people when they hear me sing for the first time- the sound that comes out is not what they expect!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I was a violinist starting at the age of three, so I always loved classical music. But I listened to a very diverse array of music growing up. My peers were listening to the Backstreet Boys while I loved Fleetwood Mac, Sade, Jonny Lang and Tori Amos. I listened to a lot of folk music and Broadway musicals. Mariah Carey and Michael Jackson were huge influences for me as well though. I have always loved pop music and R&B along with everything else I listen to.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “House is Burning.”

 

A) “House is Burning” is a soulful song that conveys a very painful situation I went through last year, involving the breakup of two very important relationships in my life. The process was incredibly cathartic – it literally started as some writing/therapy sessions with my co-writer Erin, and she had the idea for the lyrics concept. We brought them out to LA to write with two producers (one being a friend whom Erin hadn’t seen in a decade) and we all immediately clicked and finished writing and recorded this song that very first night.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It really will speak to anyone who feels that they have been betrayed or abandoned. My co-writer, Erin, was going through a romantic breakup at the time so she was writing from that frame, but the song really isn’t specifically about a romantic relationship. Everyone has been hurt by people in life and felt left behind, so it’s really a universal feeling we all experience at some point.

 

Q) The video was directed by JP Calubaquib. How does it play into the message behind it?

 

A) For the video I really wanted to show the behind-the-scenes process of writing the song and creating the video, as this single debut is my first experience professionally writing and recording. I completely changed my career about two years ago after spending over a decade working in pediatric critical care as a nurse practitioner, and I wanted this video to express my transition back to music. I also wanted to include my co-writing and producing team since they really helped bring this dream to life for me and have been so encouraging of me along the way.  We worked with an amazing team out of Chicago, director JP Calubaquib, and his studio partner photographer Zoe Rain. Since the song is so personal to me there were quite a few moments that I cried during filming, but I think that emotion is beautifully captured in this video and I’m proud to share this vulnerable yet powerful song with the world.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I write primarily with the same group that I worked on “House is Burning” with and we do it all different ways. Sometimes I have a bunch of lyrics written and we go from there. Sometimes we are just looking to create a specific “vibe” of a song, and sometimes we start with a beat or melody line and go from there.

 

Q) Dru Decaro and Adam Kobylarz lent a hand in the production for the track. How much of hand do you have when it comes to the production of your music?

 

A) I am certainly not a producer!! But I am in the studio for the majority of the process as they shape the production of the track – although at some point I crash, and they stay up until the wee hours working!

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Most likely! Either in the form of more of my own music, or definitely in the form of a soundtrack for the musical production we are working on.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) It’s been a long time since I have really performed, but I have always loved the energy of the crowd. I really feed off of that, like most performers do! I have been performing literally as far back as I can remember, so it is very natural for me, I feel at home on stage.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) At my own theater, The Howard, in my hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. I helped to restore and reopen the venue in 2018, so it is an incredibly special and important place to me!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Diplo – I love electronic music and he seems like a fun quirky dude.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I am obsessed with Qveen Herby – she is really creating her own lane. I love her sexy Morticia Adams/Harry Potter vibe. She’s definitely unique in a very crowded landscape of artists and she is doing everything independently which I really respect.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s just the easiest way these days to directly connect with people in real time.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thanks for listening and I am excited to show everyone the very unique show we are creating, hopefully for everyone to be able to experience soon!

 

 

Listen To “House is Burning”