Renee Blair – Seventeen

By starrymag | February 22, 2022

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound as a blend of all the music I grew up on, which is predominantly country and little sprinkles of everything from Mariah Carey to Katy Perry.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Gosh, I feel like I get inspiration from every song I hear in some way or another. The artists I have worshiped the most throughout my life have always been true singers. I loved and sang along to Whitney [Houston], Faith [Hill], Mariah, Celine [Dion] and Martina [McBride].

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new collab “Knock Yourself Out” with Sofia Scott and Iggy Azalea.

 

A) Talk about a dream come true!! It’s Iggy freaking Azalea, so when Sophia asked me to hop on this song, I thought she was punking me at first! [laughs] I truly could not be more honored and grateful to join these two powerful women. They are such a force. We got to spend a whole night together shooting content for the song and I was so inspired by how hard Iggy works.

 

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

 

A) I get a lot of messages about “YOU DID” actually. It’s the only true love song I have ever released and more of a ballad than I am used to doing, but so many people have resonated with the fact that they’ve given up on love and then found that special someone that came into their life and made them believe again.

 

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

 

A) Every day is different, truly. I will say I’ve always been jealous and envious of those people who can sit down and write an entire song by themselves! I get titles and ideas all day long, but I really love leaning on my co-writers. Nashville is a town that prides itself on the craft of songwriting and for me I have really become a firm believer in two (or three) heads are better than one. I love bringing an idea to the room and having a co-writer who can expand on the idea in ways I never thought of. Some days we just write to piano or guitar and sometimes we build a track as we go.

 

Q) You worked with a number of iconic writers and producers on your debut album, but how much of a say do you have in the writing/producing of your music?

 

A) I am extremely hands-on and have been able to maintain the ability to have a say in every aspect of what I do. As an artist I believe it is vital to be as authentic as possible in what you put out there to the world, even when it seems scary. All of my songs are reflective of what has happened or is happening in my life.

 

Q) Seventeen features a number of fan favorite tracks. Why was that so important to you?

 

A) I have had a lot of new fans discover me in the past year and I wanted to give them the experience to get to know the music that got me to where I am today that they may not have heard before. All the songs on Seventeen are a part of the same chapter of my life from being a teenager chasing my dream all the way up to when I turned thirty years old last year.

 

Q) What songs on the album hold a special place in your heart and why do they stand out to you?

 

A) “Wearin’ It Well” is probably a personal favorite. It wasn’t a single actually, but it tells a story I think we have all lived through, where some nights you go out and might not be in the best spirits, but you have to put on a smile and fake it.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out Seventeen?

 

A) I hope they feel seen, heard, less alone and have some fun! I hope they can resonate with some of the growing pains I endured on my journey to becoming the woman I am today.

 

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

 

A) My first big festival I ever played was in Chicago and I have gone back many times, Chicago is such a rowdy crowd I love it so much!!

 

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

 

A) Bruno Mars or Teddy Swims. I’ve actually been working with Teddy a little and have a song we did together I am super excited about!

 

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

 

A) I have “Smokin’ out the Window” by silk sonic on repeat. The video is just as amazing as the song. All of it gives me life. It is so incredible. The whole album I can’t get enough of!

 

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 such a beautiful tool that we have been given as artists because it gives you access and the opportunity to engage with fans from all over all the time which helps you stay connected to them when you aren’t playing a show in their city. I love the ability to engage with the fans are see them support the cause!

 

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

 

A) I’m just very grateful for every second someone spends listening to my music. They could literally be doing anything else with their time and it means so much more to me than I can even put into words.