Renforshort
Lauren Isenberg (born May 7, 2002), known professionally as Renforshort (stylized as renforshort[3]) is a Canadian singer and songwriter from Toronto. Debuting independently in 2019 with the singles "Waves" and "Mind Games", Isenberg released her debut extended play, the Teenage Angst EP, in March 2020.
Renforshort | |
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Birth name | Lauren Isenberg[1] |
Born | [2] Toronto, Ontario, Canada[1] | May 7, 2002
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instruments | Vocals, bass, guitar[3] |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels | |
Website | www |
Life and career
Early life
Lauren Isenberg was born in Toronto. Her parents' taste of music influenced her at an early age, and she was exposed to musicians such as Billy Joel, The Velvet Underground and Nirvana.[1] As a child, she won a Chinese language competition for performing the folk song "Mo Li Hua".[3] Isenberg wrote her first song at 13 years old called "Hopeless Town", which was produced by Nathan Ferraro of the Canadian band The Midway State, and worked on several songs in Los Angeles with producer Justin Gray, however decided that none of these songs showed off her full personality.[3] She began posting covers of songs to YouTube and Soundcloud in 2015,[3] starting with a cover of Labrinth's "Jealous". At 14, Isenberg decided that singing was her passion after performing at an open mic night.[6]
Isenberg met Canadian producer Jeff Hazin in 2016, who became her long-time collaborator (Isenberg has continued to work with the same co-writers since 2016).[3] In the same year, she collaborated with German drummer and YouTuber Sina Doering on her album Chi Might.[2]
Debut
Under the moniker Ren,[7] Isenberg released her debut single "Waves" in February 2019.[8] Music executives from Geffen Records took notice of her due to the song's popularity, and organized a meeting with her only a month after its release.[9] Isenberg's second single "Mind Games" became a viral hit,[6] and by November the two tracks had amassed five million streams across platforms.[3] "Mind Games" was later nominated for the 2019 SOCAN Songwriting Prize.[10]
Isenberg's first single with Geffen Records was released in November, entitled "IDC".[7] On March 13, 2020, Isenberg released her debut extended play, the Teenage Angst EP,[1] and changed her stage name to Renforshort.[3] The leading single from the release, "I Drive Me Mad", was inspired by Isenberg's experiences with anxiety and panic attacks.[11] Promotion for the EP was difficult, as scheduled showcases in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles were delayed in an effort to flatten the curve against the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
Artistry
Renforshort's music is inspired by acts such as Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse, and from films such as Coraline and Call Me by Your Name.[12]
Personal life
Isenberg's mother is a real-estate agent. She has three brothers, who are all musicians.[9]
Discography
Extended plays
Title | Details |
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Teenage Angst EP |
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Singles
Title | Year | Album |
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"Waves"[13] | 2019 | Non-album singles |
"Mind Games"[14][15] | ||
"IDC"[7] | Teenage Angst EP | |
"New Way"[16] | 2020 | |
"I Drive Me Mad"[17] | ||
"Fuck, I Luv My Friends"[18] | Non-album singles | |
"Nostalgic (Luvsick)"[19] | ||
"AfterThoughts"[20] | Clouds (Music from the Disney+ Original Movie) |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artists | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Doing the Wrong Thing the Right Way"[21] | 2016 | Sina | Chi Might |
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"[22] | 2017 | YourSongBook | |
"Superstition"[23] | 2018 | Your Songbook II |
References
- Tymochenko, Katie (March 13, 2020). "Interview: renforshort details newest EP teenage angst". Music Existence. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "LAUREN ISENBERG, RENFORSHORT". Girls Got Groove. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Bliss, Karen (March 20, 2020). "RENFORSHORT EXPLODES ONTO THE SCENE". Socan Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Freyaldenhoven, Laura (March 24, 2020). "EP REVIEW: RENFORSHORT – 'TEENAGE ANGST'". When the Horn Blows. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Bruner, Raisa (March 13, 2020). "The 5 Best Songs of the Week, From Anderson .Paak to Margo Price". Time Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "Meet The Toronto Alt-Pop Artist renforshort". Spindle Magazine. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Krause, Ryan Killian (November 13, 2019). "REN DROPS HER NEW SONG "IDC"". V Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Itatani, Kelly (February 22, 2019). "Ren Details Her Complicated Love Life In Vulnerable Music Video for "Waves" [PREMIERE]". Ones to Watch. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Porter, Ryan (November 22, 2019). "The new Billie Eilish or the next Nirvana? Meet Toronto's new 17-year-old pop star who adds the '90s to the mix". The Star. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Gregory, Allie (July 16, 2020). "SOCAN Announces 2020 Songwriting Prize Finalists". Exclaim. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Chiu, Melody (February 28, 2020). "Rising Pop Singer Ren, 17, Releases Video for 'I Drive Me Mad' Inspired by Her Battle with Anxiety". People. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "BMI Indie Spotlight: ren". Broadcast Music, Inc. March 30, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Thomson, Zangba (February 15, 2019). "Ren releases a wonderful debut single, entitled, "waves"". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Kushwaha, Brooke (June 18, 2020). "Ren Debuts Haunting New Single "Mind Games"". L'Officiel. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Bartee, Richardine (June 17, 2019). "Canadian singer-songwriter REN sings about the games we play in her new visual for 'mind games': Watch". Grunge Cake. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Dodson, P. Claire (January 23, 2020). "Singer-Songwriter Ren Laments a Too-Good Relationship in "New Way" Music Video". Teen Vogue. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Riddell, Rose (February 28, 2020). "Introducing: Ren and her new single 'I Drive Me Mad'". Coup de Main Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Wass, Mike (July 15, 2020). "Breakout Star renforshort Is Back With "f*ck, i luv my friends"". Idolator. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- Bruce, Dave (September 9, 2020). "RENFORSHORT shares new single 'NOSTALGIC (luv sick)'". Amnplify. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- Lavin, Will (October 16, 2020). "Listen to Renforshort's alluring new acoustic single 'AfterThoughts'". NME. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
- "Chi Might". iTunes. 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "YourSongBook". iTunes. 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "Your Songbook II". iTunes. 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2020.