Ren Harvieu
21 year old Salford born singer Ren Harvieu, released her debut single Through The Night on January 23rd through Kid Gloves/Island Records.
The single, a beautifully orchestrated slice of classic yearning taken from Ren’s forthcoming debut album, was originally set for release on July 4th this year until Ren suffered a terrible accident which left her with a broken back and not knowing whether she would ever walk again.
Thankfully after a miraculous recovery, in less than three months, Ren is back on her feet and finally ready to release her first single.
Ren Harvieu is brand new, just turned twenty one, realer than real ale. She sounds one way and looks and acts completely differently. No Brit School training, no showbiz connections, just a young girl with a truly remarkable voice and a set of songs that will stir your soul and break your heart.
Ren sang in the odd local talent show, one called ‘Salford Superstar’ and attended what she calls the Primark version of a performing arts school where she was told she couldn’t sing.
Through a chance meeting she recorded a couple of songs which the guy who was to become her manager heard while trawling through Myspace. Immediately realising he had come across a truly unique talent, he helped her record properly and soon after, on the strength of a handful of stunning songs, they had a deal with Island Records.
Ren was set to release this song in July of this year when the accident happened. She’d just spent 2 glorious weeks in the US, where she had been invited to record a song with rapper Nas, who had heard and instantly fallen in love with Ren’s voice, made her first video and found out that she was to perform on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury.
Things couldn’t have looked any rosier. Then completely randomly, a guy, messing about at a party vaulted over a hedge, hurtled through the air, and landed on Ren’s spine.
Two of her vertebrae broke straightaway and the next two months were spent in a hospital in North London, two hundred miles away from family and friends.
One particularly bright moment during her stay in hospital came when she received a phone call from one of her childhood heroes, Johnny Marr. He had heard she wasn't well; he had also heard Through The Night, and had tweeted about this fabulous new singer from his hometown. He wanted to meet her, and make music with her, when she was ready to. They have just set a date to record together.
Thankfully after two months of operations and intensive rehabilitation, Ren left hospital and is now finally set to let the world hear and see hear sing her wonderful songs.
Through The Night and is out on 23 April.
Ren heads out on her headline UK tour in April taking in the below dates:
01 April Manchester Ruby Lounge - Headlining
02 April Glasgow, King Tuts - Headlining
03 April Birmingham, Glee Club - Headlining
04 April Brighton, Haunt - Headlining
11 April London, Bush Hall - Headlining