Biography
Ren Harvieu possesses an elusive, shadowy presence as a vocalist, her pliant and emotionally charged delivery shaped by a fusion of 1960s pop, soul textures, and contemporary alternative rock. The singer’s opening full-length release, Through the Night from 2012, climbed to the British Top Five, while her follow-up, Revel in the Drama issued in 2020, was composed in tandem with Romeo Stodart of the Magic Numbers.
Originally named Lauren Maria Harvieu, she entered the world in Broughton, Salford, within Lancashire in 1991. Her father, a guitarist and singer, acquainted her early on with Irish folk material and longstanding traditional repertoire. During adolescence she absorbed the styles of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez alongside the Smiths and the more recent work of Alicia Keys. At sixth-form college she took part in stage musicals and various talent contests, later posting original recordings online. These tracks drew the notice of manager Paul Harrison, who arranged for her to relocate to London and commence recording sessions.
She unveiled the single “Through the Night” in 2011 and gained broader exposure supporting Glasvegas on tour. Plans to appear at Glastonbury and to record with rapper Nas were interrupted when an unforeseen mishap resulted in two fractured vertebrae and a hospital stay. Following an operation and an eight-week period of recuperation and rehabilitation, she regained mobility. The postponed debut album arrived on Island that May and reached number five on the U.K. chart.
She contributed to Robbie Williams’ 2013 release Swings Both Ways and appeared on Ed Harcourt’s 2014 B-side “Sweet Malaise,” then began writing new songs with Romeo Stodart. Eventually she joined the roster of Bella Union, which put out Revel in the Drama in 2020.
Originally named Lauren Maria Harvieu, she entered the world in Broughton, Salford, within Lancashire in 1991. Her father, a guitarist and singer, acquainted her early on with Irish folk material and longstanding traditional repertoire. During adolescence she absorbed the styles of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez alongside the Smiths and the more recent work of Alicia Keys. At sixth-form college she took part in stage musicals and various talent contests, later posting original recordings online. These tracks drew the notice of manager Paul Harrison, who arranged for her to relocate to London and commence recording sessions.
She unveiled the single “Through the Night” in 2011 and gained broader exposure supporting Glasvegas on tour. Plans to appear at Glastonbury and to record with rapper Nas were interrupted when an unforeseen mishap resulted in two fractured vertebrae and a hospital stay. Following an operation and an eight-week period of recuperation and rehabilitation, she regained mobility. The postponed debut album arrived on Island that May and reached number five on the U.K. chart.
She contributed to Robbie Williams’ 2013 release Swings Both Ways and appeared on Ed Harcourt’s 2014 B-side “Sweet Malaise,” then began writing new songs with Romeo Stodart. Eventually she joined the roster of Bella Union, which put out Revel in the Drama in 2020.
Albums
Singles
