Renee Dion Shares Her Unique Blend of Music

By Lacey Luce, Marketing, Communications & Events Strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council

Renee Dion is a Columbus-based musician who has performed all over the country. She’ll be performing at the Columbus Arts Festival, presented by American Electric Power, on Saturday, June 9 at 5:45 p.m. on the Genoa Park Stage presented by Huntington. We caught up with her to chat about her music, her influences and her creative process.

Lacey: I’ve heard your music described as a sultry blend of jazz, R&B, hip-hop and soul — how would YOU describe your music?
Renee: I would describe my music as life music. I like to touch on every genre and blend it all together.

Lacey: How long have you been making music?
Renee: I’ve been making music since the age of 11.

Lacey: What is your favorite part of the creative process?
Renee: My favorite part of the creative process is the studio. I love making something out of nothing!

Lacey: Who are your creative influences?
Renee: Sade is my top influence, and Stevie Wonder, and I also like a lot of indie artists like KING, Moses Sumney, Alex Isley and beat-maker Afta-1

Lacey: What’s on your playlist right now?
Renee: On my playlist right now is Leon Bridges, Lianne La Havas and Soulection (podcast).

Lacey: How do you recharge?
Renee: I shut down and try to get in eight hours of sleep — sleep is a natural healer for sure! And quality time with my husband always gives me the energy I need.

Lacey: You released “Haven” last fall and more recently “Haven ReWorks.” How did “ReWorks” come to be?
Renee: “ReWorks” started off as a conversation between me and beat-maker Satele. We are both big fans of each other’s work and he proposed the idea and I jumped at the idea. It was an easy collaboration!

Lacey: If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Renee: Sade, of course!

Lacey: You are playing the Columbus Arts Festival on Saturday, June 9, do you have any spoilers about your set for your fans?
Renee: I don’t want to give it away but I will say this I have a couple special guests joining me!

The Columbus Arts Festival, presented by American Electric Power, runs June 8-10 on the downtown riverfront. Catch Renee Dion performing on Saturday, June 9 at 5:45 p.m. on the Genoa Park Stage, presented by Huntington. For more information on the Festival, visit columbusartsfestival.org. To learn more about Renee and her work, visit reneedion.com.