Meet Renny Conti

Allow me to introduce a fellah after my own heart. Literally. Renny Conti describes his music as “indie folky songs for your heart,” and boy oh boy do they make the old ticker happy.  

His recent release, The Horse, is an assemblage of indie pop post-punk punk psychedelia, blending somber tones with more upbeat, experimental hues. The tracks are easy-going, wistful, and smooth, much like the lad himself. 

Below, he reveals a (concerning) adoration of clowns, reminds us that feelings are valid, and discusses being a NY-transplant. 

READ IT. 

<3

BICYCLE RIDING: A Mad Lib With Renny Conti

Most doctors agree that bicycle JOGGING.is a FORGOTTEN form of exercise that benefits GERMS of all ages. Riding a bicycle enables you to develop your ANKLE muscles as well as TIRELESSLY increase the rate of your FRONT TOOTH beat. Bicycle riding is also a WEARY means of KIELBASA. More WORMS around the world FOLD bicycles than ride on PEOPLE. No matter what kind of BOOK you ride, always be sure to wear a SHOESTRING on your head and have reflectors in your MOLARS, especially if you DISAPPOINT at night.

Would You Rather…

your favorite restaurant is modified to have massage chairs that are on at all times, or there is a clown in there doing clown things at all times? Please explain why.

I would absolutely rather have the clown. I love clowns. A friend of mine went to acting school and had a whole class on clowning. I saw him when we came back for winter break and he showed me the logic (or anti-logic) that clowns have. They’re so endearing and really trying their best while most people think they’re just goofy jugglers. But they are so much more than that. I’d even invite the clown to my table to hang.

Some Questions with Renny Conti

Where are you when you come up with your songs? In the shower? On the train?

I typically write in the morning or late-night in my room where I can play my guitar in peace. I like to write the guitar and lyrics at the same time, usually pulling from poems or little aphorisms that I’ve come up with as I go about my day. I frequently jot something down in my notes while I’m waiting in line for coffee or on the train or something.

Your music and songwriting draw on multiple, disparate genres. What attracts you to them and how do you marry them?

This is one of the most confusing things for me about music - tying together genres so that they complement each other or keeping to one for consistency's sake. But I usually just write whatever comes to mind based on how I’m feeling. While writing my last EP I was in a really good place and falling in love and getting stoned a lot and I think it shows, whereas for my first full length I was going through a lot of growth and confused about a lot of things. It’s all kind of reflected in each song.

Was there a concert or song that inspired you to want to make music?

In 2009 or so, when I was 12 or 13, I saw the hardcore band Ceremony, who is now one of my favorite bands of all time, at The Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA with my old brother and his friends. One of the opening bands punched an audience member and this whole fight broke out. After seeing that I was like “yes I think I need to do this forever”. It was kind of scary to see as a kid, but watching all these angry kids running and jumping around made me realize like feeling things is actually okay.

What was your most memorable performance, and why?

In September of 2018, right when I put out my debut full length, my band and I opened for Mimicking Birds at Elsewhere in Brooklyn. I just remember being so excited to open for them because their music is so good, but also looking out and seeing so many heads just stacked to the back of the room made me feel so heard. It was awesome. My drummer Brian killed it in every respect and I just remember listening to him the whole time to calm the nerves. It was so so fun. A bonus: the other would have to be my first show in New York where I played to only my three friends and the sound guy.

Are you a dog person or a cat person? Neither?

Awful answer, but totally a both person. Love cats for their demeanor and dogs for their energy. I grew up with dogs though so they have a special place in my heart.

How has living in NYC impacted your songwriting?

Moving here from California was a huge change, and with it came a lot of big and scary emotions. I wrote People Floating my first six or so months here when I was feeling so much change every day. At points, I wanted to move back and having that record as a constant project to work on really kept me sane and honestly kept me here. I was close to wanting to drop out of school and just lean into my despair. But I realized how lucky I was, how grateful I was to be in this city working on music and art and got through the bullshit. Sometimes it just gets lonely in NYC, man. So many people. Very little off time. But both of those things, the people and the opportunity, are what make this place so sweet and I think most people who live here would agree.

What is the last book you read?

Currently reading John by Cynthia Lennon. It’s written by his ex-wife and college girlfriend Cynthia Lennon who goes into every detail of their relationship, of him, of the Beatles, from her perspective. It’s really crazy to read about a legend from such a personal perspective and the book has completely changed how I look at him. But it’s very eye-opening and a good thing for any music fan to read.

How many legs are too many legs?

Three. Two is good from my experience. But here’s a crazy response question that my BFF asked me once: are snake legs just lizard legs or an abstract thought?

How do you see yourself maturing further as an artist after this release?

I’m currently mixing and finishing my second full length, which has grown to be a very happy blend of the releases I have made before. Each release I’ve put out all sound fairly different, and while this one does as well, it feels to me like I’ve finally realized how I want my music to sound, from both a production and songwriting standpoint. I think as time goes on I’ll find my footing more and more in the sound of my music, but for now, I’m enjoying just going with the flow of my brain and my emotions.

If you were an onomatopoeia which one would you be?

I just asked my friend Sam and he says I would be a rubber ball bouncing around a metal tin. “Bwuh, buh, biuh, boink”.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

This is my first email interview and the second interview of all time so thank you guys so much!!! Much love always.