news...
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...the earthy, pop side of Sarah McLachlan blended with the spunk and jazzy warmth of Diana Krall...
Life for an artist is hard enough. But what happens when you actually get what you want? For Vanessa Renée this is a big question.
In her new pop/jazz piano based release, “Stay”, Vanessa addresses the question of the elation, security, emotion and pure indescribable happiness of the time when you are in love. It is a time when you are lost in the thoughts of the moment and the other person, when nothing else seems to matter.
For example, in featured jazzy songs such as “This Life” and “You plus Me”, Vanessa sings about the pieces of ordinary days and of the safe, secure feelings being in love gives you. She poetically describes the thoughts that accompany those feelings; that nothing in the world can affect you and that you can have all you hope and dream for.
However, as we go through the journey of life we don't always realize we have a something good until it is gone. The message in the ethereal pop song “Fall”, reminds us that sometimes coming back to the same person is a good thing. You can look everywhere and hope to find true love only to discover you already had it in the one person you can easily find. The title song “Stay” follows a similar theme, simply stating that eventually you get tired of playing love games, let your guard down and let the evitable happen.
While
most artists dwell on the bad end of relationships or ricochet from one
to another, Vanessa Renée reminds us of a valuable lesson. When we
finally find the love we have been so desperately looking for, enjoy and
appreciate all that it brings.
performing...
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Date
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Time
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City
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Venue
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Info
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May
5 , 2006
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7:00pm
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Charlotte,
NC
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Gallery
Crawl
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June
10, 2006
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8:30pm
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Greenville,
SC
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With
Leslie Berry and Dave Turner-
This show is going to be a fun, wild piano showcase night!
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June
21 , 2006
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6:00pm
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Greenville,
SC
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Greenville
Hyatt
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Private
Party
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June
23, 2006
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8:00pm
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Greenville,
SC
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Cafe
Del Giorno
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Our
Favorite!
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September
16
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11:00am
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Greenville,
SC
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Art
in the Park Festival
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Falls
Park
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For
Booking information contact Max Shanks 864.525.4858 or 842.346-3638 booking@vanessareneeonline.com
archived
performances
music...
"stay"
(Rising Siren Records, 2004)
Produced and recorded
by Sal Oliveri
for Little Sicily Productions
Download "stay"
"stay" song insights...
01.Some girls- I have never been part of the fashionably elite crowd. Some people can pull off the look really well, but I feel the most comfortable in jeans and a touch of mascara! The important things in life are relationships. So finding a guy that likes me for me is a lot better than stuffing myself into black leather and snakeskin stilettos in order to win his affection.
02. Free- Oh my gosh... In the past few years I have discovered what "stressed out" really means. However, my way of coping is not massage or aromatherapy, it's driving! To me, there's nothing like the feeling of weaving in and out of traffic until I'm on the road alone headed into the mountains. Those quiet times help me sort my thoughts, breathe and get life back in the right perspective.
03. Stay-
I hate dating games. The rules like "wait 3 days for him to call",
“wear this”, “do that”, etc. are all very frustrating.
I just want to be myself all the time. When I went on my first date with
Erik I was excited to be with him but I was afraid it would be another
heartbreak. At that time in my life I was ready to find something that
would last forever.
This is/was my silent prayer Say that you'll Stay.(and guess what...he
did!)
04. Thank God- I was performing at a coffee house one night when an old boyfriend walked into the room. He looked so different (older, less hair, beer gut etc) from the dashing young man I had been in love with. When we broke up I was completely devastated; I thought my life was over. Suddenly I realized how grateful I was that I had not ended up with him. How bizarre life would be if I had. So now I try to remember, in all situations sometimes NOT getting what I want is the best scenario.
05. You Plus Me- Finally, I had someone to share my hobbies with, talk to, and be a constant. I had someone whose arms were always there to fall in to. It felt blissful. My life has been filled with a lot of tragedy and heartbreak and these feelings of true love, a love I knew would not die, were overwhelming. However, we share very different views on a lot of issues. Erik is very logical and I am completely dreamy. It is a crazy balance, but it works.
06. Candy- Sometimes people are hard to read or understand. I obnoxiously express how I feel about anything and everything right away. So when I can’t figure someone out it bothers me. Even more so, it bothers me when I have shared some intimate details of my life and they don’t seem interested reciprocating. This is my sexy little plea to open up and be real with me. I want to know how he feels, what he thinks, what he dreams about.
07. This Life- (a.k.a. The pancake song) Erik and I live in a little bungalow in the city. We love our neighborhood. On Saturday mornings we have a habit of turning on the radio to the local jazz station and making pancakes together. It is such a different life for me. Everything seems bright and poetic. Being able to connect with someone and knowing that he is the “one” makes me smile all the time.
08. I’m Out- Do you ever feel like quitting, giving up and walking away? Life would be so much easier if we didn’t have to worry or care about other people or difficult situations. In some instances I just have to be selfish and take care of myself. I need to take a few steps back and look at the big picture. So when the going gets too tough I play hooky, drink a margarita and laugh at the world.
09. Fall- I believe that there is a soul mate out there for each and every one of us. I once heard a musing that soul mates were actually connected into one being before time began. We will constantly search for our other half until we are reunited. This is a love song about being connected. He understands me like no one else can. I tried to find myself in different arms but I was made for him.
10. Come
Back to Me- I am a very emotional person. When I cry, I sob. When
I yell, I scream. I am just wired to be extreme. Usually I end up putting
my foot in my mouth.
I hate that part of me. I hate the silence after my ranting and raving.
I am such a passionate person that I end up hurting the people closest
to me. I wish I could take back time- but all I can do is wait and see
what happens after my storm.
11. Poem- This song is an instrumental piece. When I sit down at the piano to write I always begin this way. I just play and let my mind wander. I am not afraid of the odd notes or sounds that may happen. I just focus on relaxing and letting go of my inhibitions. I call them poems so that each listener can use their imagination without being directed or given boundaries by the song names. I love this form of playing- I hope you will enjoy listening.
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"stones"
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01
Elements |
press...
"Amazing
voice and beautiful acoustic oriented instrumentation blends into a pop
(with a jazzy edge) gem" Gene Berger- Horizon Records
“With soaring vocals and melodic keyboard, Vanessa Renée blew away the crowd at Little River Band’s show here, and since has become a popular staple” John Eagan- The Handlebar, Greenville, SC
“Vanessa Renée has a soft soothing voice and plays piano beautifully. The songs are peaceful, yet powerful” Amy Lotsberg- Collected Sounds
“At last someone comes along to breathe new life into an otherwise stale music industry. Her sound as big as a rainbow and sharp as a sword… Vanessa’s songwriting talent is surpassed by no one” A. Abercrombie- Funky Rock News
“Vanessa puts art back into music, very refreshing” Steven Broyles-Theater Manager-Regent University
“Vanessa Renée recalls Tori Amos and Kate Bush in her own vocal-oriented piano song. You can hear her rich trove of song on Stones (Rising Siren Records)” Tom 'Tearaway' Schulte- Woman Rock
“Imagine The Handlebar transformed into the set of "Ally McBeal," and we have our very own piano-playing singer” John Eagan- The Handlebar
“There
is a real depth to Vanessa’s music and lyrics – each has several
layers that can only be appreciated and recognized after several listens”
Frank Rasenberger
press release
electronic press kit
street team...
To join the street team simply send us your contact information. You will be able to start helping right away. Join the street team family today!
what
is the street team?
The
street team is Vanessa Renée's rep program. Joining the street team
is a great way to get involved and help one of your favorite musicians,
while having fun at the same time!
As a member of the team you will have the chance to help broaden Vanessa's
grassroots following. You will be able to help us spread the word about
some of your favorite music and actually see the results of your work. When
you see the crowd at a live show or hear Vanessa on the radio you will be
able to say, " I helped Vanessa get here"!
You can promote as much or as little as you like; what matters is spreading
the word about Vanessa's music! Join
the street team family today!
what
you get as an team member-
-A package of Vanessa Renée Postcards that you can distribute to
friends, family, etc
-Guest list spots for shows in your area (when available - passes usually
go to reps who help promote the show or sell merchandise)
-Admission to private regional rep parties, TBA based on Vanessa's tour
schedule
-Exclusive Info - what's going on with Vanessa? You'll be among the first
to know!
-Pure joy from sharing & promoting great music
More?!... Email team@vanessareneeonline.com with your suggestions &
comments
what
to do: spread the word
ONLINE
-Share the Vanessa Renée Media Player with friends over IM and Email.
-Talk about Vanessa on message boards of other related artists and on Vanessa's
message board.
-Direct all who might dig the vibe to vanessareneeonline.com so they'll
download songs, and let them know they can preview and purchase the new
CD, 'stay' or Vanessa's debut album 'Stones' at cdbaby.com.
-Use banners or pictures of Vanessa in your signature in emails, on your
AOL instant messenger and to your postings on message boards
-Start a fan website or email list for Vanessa, or contribute to the existing
ones
ON
THE STREETS
-Distribute the Vanessa Renée Postcards (that you receive this with
your registration) to all your friends and family etc.
-Host a listening party - great for dorms!
-Request Vanessa's music on your local radio stations.
-Tell your friends, family, classmates, coworkers and music-loving strangers
about Vanessa and play your CD for them until they beg you to stop
-Promote Vanessa's upcoming shows in your area by: convincing everyone you
know to come out to see Vanessa play live, Handing out flyers and posters
to friends, Leaving flyers at bars, independent record stores and cafes,
Passing flyers around your dorm and/or workplace, Posting flyers in highly
visible areas -student centers, dorms, and other high traffic areas or legal
places folks will see them- be creative! (Flyers and Posters available on
the tour page)
-Do you write for a newspaper, magazine, e-zine or some other publication?
Does someone you know? Or do you work with any television or radio show?
If so... please help get Vanessa some quality exposure. We encourage your
contribution to articles, interviews, and even live appearances. Contact
us if you think you have an opportunity or lead.
AT
SHOWS
-Sign up to help sell merch. at shows
-Tape Vanessa's live shows and distribute them on CD's (please do not sell
for profit) Send us a copy so we can post new mp3s on Vanessa's website
Join the street team family today!
These are some of my favorite artists/groups. Check them out!
Acousticseen
Christine Kane
Horizon Records
Jennifer Daniels
Jennifer Nettles
Over the Rhine
Stephanie's ID
Willy Porter
other
fun links...
If you ever need some homemade furniture...
Creative
Woodworking.com
contact...
Booking
& Management
Norah
Agency
Max Shanks
864-525-4858
vanessainfo@booknorah.com
Label
Rising Siren Records
Erik Peterson
864-346-9691
P.O. Box 10425
Greenville, SC 29601
rsrecords@charter.net
Vanessa
Renée
vanessarenee@vanessareneeonline.com
Little
Sicily Productions
Sal Oliveri
saloliveri@bellsouth.net
mailing list...
If you would like to join the mailing list to get updates on Vanessa's schedule and other important information please email us with yor name, email address, city, state & zip code.