At 16 years old, most of today’s teenagers are hiding out in their parent’s basements, avoiding social interactions and Snapchatting away. Jaicee Rentz is bucking the trend with Colors, a debut EP ripe with youthful angst and lovetorn lyrics.
The EP’s title track boasts a surprising maturity. Part of that comes from the seductive vocal interplay between Rentz and singer-songwriter Tyke James, who lends a verse or two to the single. Despite her youth, Rentz’s eloquent lyrics show a deep yearning and nostalgia; when she sings “Your smile feels so cold / Cold as snow that burns my nose / Why can’t we go back? / Back to laughing in the wind” you’ll want to return to the arms of the one that got away, too.
We chatted with Rentz about where a 16-year-old draws inspiration from (hint: boys are sometimes an element) and the making of the Colors EP below.
AF: You’re from San Clemente, California. Tell us about life in Orange County. How does the landscape of where you live influence your music?
JR: I really love to go outside and go on adventures. I think that is represented in my music and influences the vibe.
AF: At 16, I was listening exclusively to Weezer, No Doubt, and oldies radio. What music are you currently into?
JR: I love to listen to Pinegrove, Car Seat Headrest, and always Supertramp.
AF: Tell us about the genesis of this EP. Your single “Colors” has such a mature sound to it. What was the writing / production process like?
JR: None of these songs took long to write because I was not forcing [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][it]; they just sort of came to me. When I went to the studio to record, it just shaped itself and as it built up I got new ideas.
AF: At what age did you start writing music?
JR: I remember when I was twelve I would sit in my room, writing in my notebook silly songs. Of course they never went anywhere. I sung them to my cat. When I was fifteen I started to develop them more.
AF: Do you draw inspiration from personal experience or do you play with characters as basis for lyrics?
JR: I get inspiration from personal experiences for my lyrics. Music is the easiest way for me to communicate my feelings or tell my story.
AF: Can you give us a little insight into the background of the track “Colors”?
JR: Yes, but you can’t tell my parents! It is about a boy. We liked each other in the fall time, then in the winter, one of my best friends went for him and I kind of lost them as friends.
AF: My heart! Definitely reminds me of some of my own high school memories. With these songs being so personal, have you performed them live?
JR: I have not performed them live in front of huge audiences just because I have not had the opportunity to, but I definitely would if I did.
AF: Do you have a music venue that’s your #goals performance space?
JR: I would looove to perform in Red Rocks Amphitheater in my home, Colorado.
Jaicee Rentz’s debut EP Colors is out June 22.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
