AreYouBlues: Miss. Austin, Happy New Year and thank you for taking a moment to talk with Are You Blues.
Renee Austin: Thanks for chatting with me Brian.
AYB: First off, congratulations on your overall success with "Sweet Talk" -- Can you give some insight on how this CD differs from your critically acclaimed independent release "Dancin’ With Mr. Blue?"
RA: I feel this is a more mature effort. I have changed a lot since DWMB and I think these songs are reflections of that growth. I also knew what sound I wanted and was able to express this to my Producer Kevin Bowe, so I feel this is truly a “Reneé Austin” record.
AYB: Seven of the 11 tracks on "Sweet Talk" were penned by you. What influences or inspires your material most?
RA: Life is the biggest influence. If I’ve seen it, heard or felt it, I will write a song about it. Other times if I believe in a cause I may write a song about that. Still in the end, if I don’t feel it, I won’t write it.
AYB: In your career, you've shared the stage with many impressive artists (Jonny Lang, Blues Traveler, Keb Mo, etc), do you have any show that sticks out as one of your personal favorites?
RA: Well they are all special. I got a harp from the boys in Blues Traveler, I hung out with Todd and the guys from Big Head Todd & The Monsters on their bus, I made friends with all the guys in Tommy Castro’s band…So many favorites.
AYB: One person in particular, Delbert McClinton, was so impressed with your live show, it eventually led to the amazing duet "Pretend We Never Met." Can you tell us all the story behind that song?
RA: I opened 2 shows for Delbert last year. He asked me to be on his Blues Cruise Jan 2004. I had not been signed yet. I had recorded Pretend We Never Met on a demo with Tommy Shannon. My husband had a dream the first night we opened for Delbert that I sang the song as a duet. Not with any person in mind, he just heard the verses sung male/female. I listened to the song the next day and got chills. I knew it was supposed to be a duet. I said “Wouldn’t it be great if Delbert could do it with me on the record?” Three weeks later, I signed with Blind Pig and when we approached Delbert, he said he would love to sing with me. It was a memory I will always cherish. He was great to work with.
AYB: Are there any other future duets for Renee Austin fans to look forward to?
RA: I have a list of people I dream of working with, but nothing in the immediate future….
AYB: It looks like your 2004 tour is going to take you all over the US and Canada. Are there any places you are looking most forward to playing (like your 4 night trek through your childhood hometown state of Texas?).
RA: I am totally excited about touring thru the Lone Star State! My family and home town friends will all be there to support me. I just got my passport a few months ago, so I am ready to be the world traveler.
AYB: Are you currently working on new material for "Sweet Talk's" follow up?
RA: I am always writing….So I guess you could say that I am working on the follow up. I am hoping to shop some of my material to other artists as well for them to record/perform. We’ll see how it goes.
AYB: Miss. Austin, thank you for taking a few moments from your busy schedule to talk with us. I'd like to personally wish you the greatest of success with "Sweet Talk" and your upcoming tour. I hope to catch up with you again when you place in NY area!
*** For those interested in reading more about Renee Austin, check out AreYouBlues' review of "Sweet Talk"
HERE, or you can visit Renne Austin's webpage at:
www.ReneeAustin.com.
*Photos Originally Posted On ReneeAustin.com
*