Music's Hollywood underdog gets personal for dual CD release concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) May 16, 2011 -- Indy music darling Kevin Renick defies expectations while staying true to personal roots with two EPs, Come on Down and The Road to Olandra, being released this Thursday, May 19, in a special engagement at The Sheldon Concert Hall.

After capping a whirlwind 2010 in which the “Up in the Air” phenomenon gained Renick an international fan base, an appearance on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, a wildly successful promotional tour in Japan, a top-5 ranking in the U.K.'s Empire Magazine, and Grammy whispers, the Webster University grad wanted a change of pace that pays homage to the people and places which have shaped his life.

The results are two distinctively eclectic and locally-flavored follow-up offerings, perfectly suited to the intimate aesthetics of The Sheldon. Local engineer Justin Robinson mixed Come On Down, the 6-song EP featuring Renick's core band of local luminaries Ned Watson, Ted Moniak, and Andrea Spencer (of Pelvic Girdles). The album is highlighted by the song “No Second Dates”, a surprise collaboration with past high school crush Christa Juergens, whom Renick contacted after failing to find time to chat her up at their high school reunion last year.

“Christa was a pretty significant person in my life years ago, but for various reasons we never connected,” he explains. “When I finally started communicating with her on Facebook, we were tossing insights and reflections back and forth, and many of the things Christa said to me had this lyrical, casually philosophical bent that intrigued me. We ended up writing at least two songs together by email, and 'No Second Dates' is the one that came together the most effortlessly.”

Renick's second album is a testament to the artist's range, and an admittedly adventurous contrast to his previous musical fare. The Road to Olandra is an ambient/spoken word odyssey recorded over two years ago with Canadian soundscape artist John Sobocan, whose own new solo CD, Features of Spheres, has been favorably reviewed in Norway.

“I'd written these poems and kind of introspective narrative essays, and John and I forged this amazing connection a few years ago. Something really magical happened on this collaboration that neither of us could have envisioned.”

Renick's upcoming projects will continue to embody the spirit of musical variety and local influence which will undoubtedly define his career. Currently in the works are a lecture/concert collaboration with alma mater Webster University slated for fall, a comedic video with Christian Lawrence and Kevin White of local comedy troupe Punch Drunk Comedy, the formation of a Neil Young tribute band, Shakey Deal, and his second full-length released inspired by the loss of his mother – a sprawling project which he hopes to release early next year.

All tickets for the dual CD release are $6, and available only at The Sheldon Concert Hall's box office the day of the show. Doors at 7pm, showtime 7:30pm; call (314) 533-9900 or visit www.thesheldon.org and www.kevinrenick.com for details.

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