This interview explores RENZITA’s remarkable rise from an international collaboration to award-nominated success. Renita and Randy discuss songwriting, creative chemistry, Bad Bad You!, and the exciting future of Dimensional Destiny.
1.
Congratulations on being nominated for International Band of the Year 2026 by
WigWam Radio UK. How did it feel to receive this recognition, especially
following your Josie Music Awards nomination in 2025?
Yeah……. It’s an awesome feeling. When you put your heart and soul into
something……. it’s usually because it’s something you have to do. It’s your
being…….and when someone else likes what you’re doing and responds to it
positively, it adds another dimension of fulfillment.
2. RENZITA brings together musicians from Texas and Alberta, Canada. How has
this cross-border collaboration influenced your songwriting and creative
process?
Creating the band RENZITA with Randy has totally changed the way I approach
songwriting!
Randy’s unique
way of weaving multiple genres into a cohesive track had me brainstorming on
ideas To create a song, we collaborated with different ideas after i wrote the
lyrics and sent rough vocal stems to him, it was a continuous process, i now
see songwriting in a totally new light!
The process pushes my creativeness. My writing, my playing, and my mixing….which
I’m still pushing myself in. I don’t really think of the distance between us as
a hindrance, with the exception of being able to perform live……putting together
an actual performing band.
3. Randy, what
originally inspired you to create RENZITA, and when did you realize that Renita
was the perfect voice to bring the project to life?
Renita and I crossed paths collaborating on a mutual friend’s song…. who oddly
enough lives in England. Three countries on one song……. LOL
I was doing some guitar work on the song and was blown away by the vocals. They
had that raw powerful bluesy rock flavor to it. After the track was finished, I
reached out to her to see if she’d be interested in writing some lyrics and
singing to an unfinished song of mine. I sing very little and what I wanted for
that track was out of my skill set.
She said she’d check it out. I didn’t really expect to hear back from her.
But……not only did she send me back a demo……. I was absolutely blown away. It
was such a wonderful experience that I asked if she was down for another one.
After that……forming a partnership just fell into place.
4. Renita,
your vocals have been compared to legendary artists such as Joan Jett and Janis
Joplin. How do you approach delivering such powerful and emotionally charged
performances while maintaining your own identity?
I have a
background singing blues and rock so that comes out in my voice, it’s just
inside of me to go over the top when i sing and give everything I have to the
delivery of the song, i don’t hold back! My musical journey has led me to
singing many vocals styles, i have been in all kinds of bands, country, blues,
cover bands, original projects …. l put it all together and that is me!
5. Since
beginning your collaboration in early 2023, what have been some of the biggest
challenges and rewards of writing and recording music together from different
locations?
For me the challenges are that lack of playing together in a room and vibing
off each other for ideas in real time. And of course, lack of putting together
an actual band.
The rewards…….in addition to just
sitting back after a track is wrapped up and just being in shock with “We
actually wrote that?” ......I think is not only the recognition from different
award groups……. but inspiring others to get out there and collaborate. So many
people are blown away when they discover we’re in two different countries and
have never actually met each other face to face.
6. RENZITA
draws inspiration from a wide range of genres including Metal, Hard Rock,
Classical, and Jazz. How do you blend these influences into a sound that
remains uniquely RENZITA?
Over the years while I was literally learning guitar, I played in bands from
jazz, country, top 40, old big band covers….and even as rhythm guitar for an
Elvis impersonator, and anything else I could get myself into. Though I didn’t
have a lot of chops….I was fearless. Little did I know at the time, I was
adding all that experience into my influence bag. Now…at this stage in life…. I
don’t care about guitar chops. I care about the song and music as a whole.
Whatever is going to serve the song best. It just happens that some of those
influences over the years just kinda flow out.
7. "Bad
Bad You!" made a strong impression with its explosive guitar work and
passionate vocal delivery. What is the story behind that song, and why do you
think it resonates with listeners?
I’ll let Renita
expand on that one LOL
She’s the one that breathed life into it with her lyrics and vocals. But I will
add….It was the second track I had sent her when we first met. At the time it
had a working title of “Bad Lovin”
She took it and threw it against the wall……spit on it……kicked it around the
yard…..lit it on fire, smashed it with a sledge hammer……. all loud and angry
sounding. When I got the vocal demo back I just sat there with my mouth hanging
open…………….
I just
transformed the power of the riffs into the Lyrics of Bad Bad You! I have been through some difficult personal
relationship in my life and i think there are a lot of people who can relate to
the Idea of empowering yourself in a bad relationship so i just let it all out
in the lyrics!!!
8. Your
upcoming album, Dimensional Destiny, has already generated excitement among
fans. What can listeners expect from this new chapter compared to your previous
releases?
With “Sick Addiction” we were a new partnership. We were learning from each
other. The first couple songs from a music only stand point were already done
just needing vocals. When it was realized “we’re going to do an album” .......it
was a journey of discovery. I’m blessed that no matter what I threw out there,
Renita would jump on it. She let me push her out of her comfort zone and she
did so in an amazing fashion. With the “Dimensional Destiny” .... the writing
was purposeful and with intent. I knew what she’s capable of vocally and so
that liberated me to expand my writing.
Tonally it’s a bit different as well. I expanded guitar and drum tones. I broke
out the 8 string guitars on some tracks. Its geared more to a heavier sound.
The third album, which is still in the extreme early stages, will be heavier
yet in tone. There will be an evident progression in our sound while staying
true to ourselves.
9. Is there a
central theme or concept running through Dimensional Destiny, and how did that
shape the writing and recording process?
For me it was just knowing that after we finished “Sick Addiction” that we can
actually do this.
It was very freeing. As well……. knowing what Renita is capable of now…. I can
write parts catered to her. But I still try to push her outside her comfort
zone from time to time. LOL.
10. Looking
back on the journey from your first collaboration to receiving international
award nominations, what moments stand out as defining milestones for RENZITA?
Every time we get
nominated. I still haven't adjusted to the fact people are apparently hearing
us.
It’s awesome. I want to deliver even more!!!
11. With a new
single and album on the horizon, what goals do you hope to achieve in 2026, and
what message would you like to share with the fans who have supported RENZITA's
journey so far?
For me it’s the production side of everything. I keep pushing to produce a
better sounding product. Renita can tell you story after story how many times I
would tear a mix apart and start over because I wasn’t satisfied with the
sound. Over the last year I’ve been focused on the production aspects. I am
currently re-mixing and mastering the entire “Sick Addiction” and “Dimensional
Destiny” albums to bring them more in line with how I originally wanted them to
sound. If other people are going to hear it……I want it to be the best I can
possibly make it. I think many out there can understand that.
In addition…. we are getting the ball rolling on new material for our third
album, To end my input here, I’d just say……to whoever our fans and listeners
are……thank you with everything I am for listening and for your support. Be
ready for the updated “Sick Addiction” release and the new “Dimensional
Destiny” release. We’ll try our best for you to make it worth it.
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