Renata Youngblood Music: Reviews

She sounds as though she has a soul that is 6,000 years old!

A long time ago I almost made a huge musical mistake in judgment. I had just been listening to a Van Halen album when I switched to the radio and 'Sweet Jane,' by the Cowboy Junkies, was playing. The contrast was so stark that I changed the station but then switched it back, due to some cosmic musical angel on my shoulder. Those familiar with that track know how hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing it is. The same musical voodoo can be found on The Side Effects of Owning Skin, the new release from Renata Youngblood. Youngblood wastes no time establishing her unique brand of quiet, reflective musical power as track one, 'Passer-by,' weaves together wonderfully hypnotic music (the guitar and violin tracks drip out slowly as if suspended in time) and a sublimely subtle lead vocal. If this music moves at a frequency too mellow/meditative for you, the artist lets you know right away that she refuses to flinch from her approach. You can either jump into this still, deep water or go back to whatever you were doing. From start to finish you'll find a steadfast consistency and lack of compromise in her musical expression.

The vocals float in like an ethereal messenger and, when mixed with the perfectly restrained instrumental tracks, the music, for me, filled my mind with powerful visuals like a series of wonderful short films. On 'Never Mine,' I felt like I was in the midst of a conversation, watching a couple awkwardly stir their coffee as they tell the truth about their one-sided relationship. 'By Now' had me picturing two soulmates exploring the world, sharing the kind of connection that makes every day an adventure. 'Worth Lovin'' took me to a lonely room where a woman sits alone with a glass of booze, carelessly contemplating how to throw away what just might be good love. 'Water,' the most quietly impacting track, made me think of a vintage French film where a woman's hand shakes with withdrawal symptoms as she writes a letter of intense longing to her lover. The production touches and instrumental accompaniment offer not an ounce too little or too much in their supporting roles (with the exception of the flute on 'Brown Eyes,' which seemed a bit over the top). The electric guitar parts are stellar (especially the wildly imaginative solos on 'Pay and Pay' and 'Worth Lovin''), and the accordion on 'By Now' is nothing less than inspired.
This pure, pristine brand of music may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but for those ready to step outside their noisy world, getting lost in this rarified air will be a very satisfying journey. Although the music avoids catering to the demands of our greedy, impatient ears, the end result is far more impacting that way. A whisper is just as intense as a scream.

Playing first was a local and very talented singer songwriter named Renata Youngblood. As I was watching her perform I was very impressed with her stage presence as well as her ability to play guitar.
She reminded me of a young Joni Mitchell and yes, I do know that this is probably a very unfair comparison but if you ever get a chance to see her in concert you will understand. She has the long blond hair and the eyes and also is very talented both lyrically as well as guitar wise. Her music just enthralled the audience the entire time.
Youngblood played for about an hour but I wish she had played some more because the music had peaked my interest and she was just so talented.

Pick of the Week:
Renata Youngblood performing at Lestat's: This is a CD-release party for a young lass with a soulful croon, whose career's being giddied-up by David J, San Diego's statesman of goth. Her debut impressed Peter Murphy. It'll probably impress you.

Always helps when you’ve got San Diego’s famous gothman David J (ex-Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) in your corner. J has been helping guide the development of singer-songwriter Renata Youngblood for over a year now. At the recent Coachella Music Festival in Indio, J played a copy of Youngblood’s upcoming EP for his old friend and bandmate, Peter Murphy. As J recalled, “So taken with it was he, that he immediately invited her to be his special guest on the Southern Californian leg of his U.S. tour.” Youngblood won’t play at Murphy’s San Diego concert (May 26 at the House of Blues) because she’ll be bust at The Hotel Café in L.A.

Everyone in my set (and in the whole thing, for that matter) was pretty fucking great. But, for me, the night belonged to Renata Youngblood. She's this gorgeous blonde chiquita and she sits there with total calm and commands the audience with her impeccably quiet melodies. She's amazing and I was next to her, meaning i played each of my songs after she played each of hers, which was a total liability due to the fact that i was completely LOSING myself in her music.

Renata Youngblood is a superhot, supersweet folk singer/songwriter who has been working with David J of Bauhaus on her upcoming record. She has a Beth Ortonish-sounding promo jingle currently airing on the Food Network.

Renata is ethereal and groovy at the same time; how many people can be that? Her voice is haunting and very emotional - sometimes emoting strength, others a great vulnerability.

Youngblood, a well-regarded solo acoustic performer has put together a band and recorded [20] songs for her upcoming debut release, The Side Effects of Owning Skin. Produced by Bauhaus and Love and Rockets founding member David J.

With the voice of an angel, southern California native Renata Youngblood has descended the heavens, bringing her singing and songwriting to earthly ears.