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It’s been awhile since Renée Wahl’s 2011 debut LP, 2011’s “Cumberland Moonshine,” but after a 2016 EP, the singer-songwriter is now back with a follow-up LP, “Cut to the Bone” on March 15. Until then, you can hear two single releases from the record, “From Here to There” and “To the Bone” over at Spotify.

Labelled by some as “outlaw Americana,” it’s a badge this Air Force veteran and Physics major should wear proudly as a testament to her raw, honest and often dark sound. But as Renée says, “she writes from her heart, occasionally changing names to protect the innocent.” The new record was recorded locally and produced by Stuart Mathis. It also features some of the coolest tremolo guitar I’ve heard since those early Chris Isaak records.

We are thankful to Renée for taking time out for the 11 Questions. She will be taking the stage with her band the “Sworn Secrets” at 8:30 this Friday March 15 at everybody’s favorite small room, The Five Spot.

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Renee Wahl is a physicist, teacher and former Air Force member. She also happens to be a brilliant singer-songwriter whose forthcoming album Cut to the Bone (due out on March 15) is an unflinching and raw collection of songs celebrating perseverance and the beauty of the human spirit.

Wahl says her background in science goes hand in hand with her music.

“Since music is physics, I see things from another perspective — from songwriting, composition and even how my instruments and equipment works,” Wahl said in a press release. “People think of science as very straight and narrow, but Einstein said ‘Imagination is more important than knowledge,’ and I find that to be so very important, to be creative in science. If you’re just following a blueprint, how do you create something new?”

The nine-song album, produced by Stuart Mathis, kicks off with “To the Bone,” a brooding rocker that serves as a warning to liars and thieves.

Standout track “Me Before You” is a celebration of selfless love, while “Meds” is a classic country tune about the search for mental health.

 “‘Meds’ took me a while to want to perform live, because it’s like, ‘Oh my god, I’m telling all these people what medications I’ve been on, and now they’re going to think I’m completely crazy,” Wahl says in a press release. “But that’s okay. Nobody gets help, nobody gets better unless you’re open about it.”

The stunning album closer “What You Need” meets in the middle between indie rock and Americana and finds strength as the end of a relationship looms ahead.

“This is the first record I’ve made that I find myself listening, too. And it’s not that I’m listening to me, it’s the entire sound of it — the sonics, the playing, the way it makes you feel,” Wahl says. “I really like listening to it, which is surprising to me.”

– Bobbie Jean Sawyer

LISTEN: Renée Wahl, “From Here to There”

Artist: Renée Wahl
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “From Here To There”
Album: Cut to the Bone
Single Release Date: February 14, 2019
Album Release Date: March 15, 2019

In Their Words: “To me, this song is about the beauty and pain of discovery and then loss, and in knowing you can never go back. This is the only song on the album I didn’t pen. It was co-written by my friend Brian Langlinais along with Randy Sitzler and Drew Nelson. Over the last few years when Brian would perform it live, I would join him and sing harmony. I felt such a strong connection to it that I asked if he would mind if I added it to my set. I had been playing it for more than a year when we went into the studio, and I wanted to include it on the record.” –Renée Wahl

Happy to be a part of the Alternate Root’s Top 10 Songs of the Week!

You can check out their article here:

The Alternate Root Top 10

Thank you to The Boot for premiering the first single “To The Bone” off our upcoming album!

http://theboot.com/renee-wahl-to-the-bone/

Nashville singer-songwriter Renee Wahl is premiering “To the Bone,” the bracing, moody title track of her forthcoming new album, with The Boot. Readers can press play below to get an exclusive first listen.

Inspired by vintage hucksters and con artists of old, Wahl explores the age-old issue of knowing who to trust — especially with your heart — in “To the Bone.” “I was thinking about snake oil salesmen when I got the idea for the song,” Wahl shares with The Boot. 

“It’s about relying on people to fix your life when they really don’t have your best interest at heart,” she adds, “those people willing to take advantage of another for their own gain.”

In “To the Bone,” Wahl makes it clear that she’s not falling for anyone’s tricks: “‘Cause I’ll string you up and strip you down / Tie you to the horse you rode into town,” Wahl sings in the track’s pulsing chorus. “I’ll make you take back / Things you never stole / Have you prayin’ forgiveness on your soul / I’ll cut you to the bone.”

An Air Force veteran and literal rocket scientist, Wahl is now a purveyor of pure outlaw Americana. In March, she’ll release Cut to the Bone, her sophomore full-length album.

“This is the first record I’ve made that I find myself listening to,” she says. “And it’s not that I’m listening to me; it’s the entire sound of it — the sonics, the playing, the way it makes you feel. I really like listening to it, which is surprising to me.”

Cut to the Bone is due out on March 15. Visit ReneeWahl.com for more details.

A very well written recount of the 57th Philadelphia Folk Festival!  David and I met Shaun Smith on Sun afternoon.  We couldn’t be happier that he took the time to come see us and review our set!  Thank you Shaun!!!

“Wahl and Strayer played a thundering set in the Culture Tent to a fabulous crowd that followed intently on every note and word. Wahl’s combination of gritty blues-influenced rock ‘n’ roll and intimate songwriting intrigued and embraced the captive audience.”

When I got back to camp Ben asked, “Who was your favorite new find of the weekend.”
“Renèe Wahl, hands down,” I said.

You can read his full post of the entire festival here:  https://highnoteblog.com/57th-annual-philadelphia-folk-festival-review/