Introducing... Ren Harvieu

Hailing from Lancashire, this weeks Introducing is from a girl whose voice and sound will stop you dead in your tracks. Her name is Ren Harvieu.

A terrifying accident nearly ended everything for her last summer, but now, only months after she thought she would never walk again, she is walking back to us.



It's a remarkable feat, that's displayed through her courage and humble talents, when she opens her mouth, transporting us to a place where youthfulness becomes yearning, where dreams become dramas, and music aches longingly, full of beauty and power.


Growing up with a musical dad, touring the area’s pubs, singing Irish folk songs, James Taylor and Simon and Garfunkel songs. Ren’s mum on the other hand, a lover of Stevie Wonder and John Cooper Clark.

Although Ren loved music, she wasn’t a diva in the slightest. Apparently, she just wasn’t arsed. However, something inside her urges her to enter pop contests, which saw her fall in love with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and The Smiths. 



Although, it wasn't all plain sailing, with her school telling her she wasn't good enough for the shows, that she wouldn't get anywhere. How wrong they were. Remember that little platform we once called Myspace, yes, Ren has a lot to thank.

By pure luck, she says, she posted a song on MySpace that was later picked up by her manager. Who, like a lot of us, instantly fell in love with her young bluesy voice. 



Ren has had quite the journey, having been to the US for the first time – LA, New York and Vegas, a world away from the rainy North-West. She had been invited to record a song with rapper Nas, who had heard and instantly fallen in love with her voice ; made her first video; toured the UK with Glasvegas; played her first extraordinary London solo show, which convinced the BBC Introducing team to book her for Glastonbury. She found out about Glastonbury in a text as she touched down from America. She always said if she could play Glastonbury, she would feel she had made it.



However, what happened next was set to challenge the above. She was in London, on a night out with friends, she wasn’t drunk, just incredibly unlucky. A friend was messing about doing running-jumps, vaulting over hedges, before the accident came that nearly cost Ren her life – his feet circling through the air, knocking her over, landing on her spine. Two of her vertebrae broke straightaway, sticking out of her clothes. She remembers every moment: the voices around her, the lack of feeling in her legs, the sensation that this was it, this is how it ends.



Ren spent the next two agonising months in a hospital, two hundred miles away from family and friends. Glastonbury came and went. In this specialist unit, she had the worst injury on the ward, and many of her fellow patients had been told they would never walk again. But somehow, Ren could feel things. Doctors kept asking if she had any sensations; one day she was able to move her legs like she was cycling. After six weeks, she wheelchaired herself into the kitchen to make a cup of tea; her doctors shaking their heads, not knowing how this was happening. The day she washed her hair by herself, she knew she would be alright. She left the hospital in August, walking with a cane. 



As Ren was recovering, she was driven by what she wanted more than anything: that chance to share her songs, to take her voice across the world. One call she had in hospital made her mission even stronger: a call from her old childhood hero, Johnny Marr. He had heard she wasn’t well; he had also heard Through The Night. He wanted to meet her, and make music with her, when she was ready to.



A remarkable story. 



So without further ado, I must pass you over. Ren is certainly not one to be missed. 
Enjoy.

Daisy Digital: You released your critically acclaimed debut album, Through The Night last year, for those that haven't had the pleasure, how would you describe your sound?

Ren Harvieu: I can't really pinpoint my sound. I suppose its cinematic, theatrical, but mainly it's a therapy for me.. Singing is the most wonderful form of expression I'm so lucky I get to do it. 

DD: So how's writing for your second record going, do you feel the sound has developed/changed from the first record?

RH: It's such an exciting time. I made 'Through The Night' when I was 18. So much has changed.I'm writing things now that scare me. Things that I've never told anyone...it's the only way, you have to give yourself entirely, otherwise you won't care as much. 

DD: Growing up to on a rich cocktail of influences including the likes of Stevie Wonder, James Taylor and Simon and Garfunkel, do you think your background/early experiences helped influence your writing/sound?

RH: My early life has influenced everything. My childhood wasn't typical, it was colourful. I learnt early on what it was to feel pain, and I held on to it. When it came to singing, it came out so naturally it was the biggest release I've ever felt. I fell into singing so naturally after that.You have to feel it to make others feel it too. 

DD: Not many 21 year olds can say they've experienced what you have the past couple of years. In a freak accident that saw you in hospital for a long period of time, I admire your strength and courage, as do many. What is it that inspired you to keep at it and stay determined to be where you are today? 

RH: Thanks, well I can't really say too much about the accident..but I will say that I knew I would somehow get through it, even when I nearly died, I knew I had an obligation to fill..that it wasn't my time..and I want to buy my mum and house in Greece. I want to give her the life she deserves. 

DD: What was it like playing on Jools Holland? It must feel pretty strange now your hometown Salford is the place to be! 

RH: Jools Holland was magical but honestly, I was so petrified...I had a panic attack and as the camera panned to me I almost burst out laughing because I couldn't remember the words...It was pure hysterical panic. I'm really proud I got through it though, and I've chilled a lot since then. I'd go with the flow and have some fun if there was a next time. 

DD: Last time I saw you, it was heading onto stage at Bestival, how was last years festival season and are you looking forward to this year, any announcements?

RH: Sadly I'm not doing any. I'm focused entirely on the record this summer. I would love to go to Glastonbury though.

DD: Well, we are certainly looking forward to it! I know it seems a million miles away but how was your hometown Xmas gig? I am so sad to have missed it!

RH: My Xmas gig was great because the crowd were so warm and so up for having a good time. It was the least professional gig I've ever done. I made mistakes. But the audience didn't seem to mind. It didn't really feel like a 'Ren' gig but more of a festive celebration..Everyone joined in in the christmas songs..such a great atmosphere. 

DD: Talking of the festive season, how did it feel to be part of the number 1 charting 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother?

RH: I was honoured to be part of the Justice Collective. The fact it got Christmas number 1 and raised money for the Hillsborough charity was so fantastic. 

DD: And lastly, the all important one - I hear you're a big fan of Disney. What's your favourite film? 

RH: My favourite Disney film. I don't have one. I love the soundtrack to 'The Rescuers.' The singer Shelby Flint, her voice is like a bird and I think she indirectly influenced my ears from childhood. Old disney from the 40's kills me. I can't understand how music can be that beautiful. I'm stealing lots of harmonies for my next album. But I think I always wanted to be Belle. We all did. 

DD: I know I did! Many thanks Ren, good luck with everything!