Spotlight
Spotlight - Lazy Faire
From classical piano to experimental pop, Renee Zon's musical journey breaks every mold it encounters. Under their project Lazy Faire, they're bridging the gap between composed and performed music while spreading joy and introspection through their latest release "Occupy your own Onion."
Read MorePlease introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
Renee Zon is a longtime musician and composer, and Lazy Faire is the name of their live Pop project. Originally a classically trained pianist, after completing their education Renee turned their focus towards experimentation, believing that "without change, progress isn't possible."
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Renee has spent years working in Southern New England writing and producing music, ranging from Darkwave to Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. They have been involved in multiple successful group projects which have toured the East Coast, and have also composed original music featured on music blogs and videos for multiple decades.
What's your musical origin story?
Renee started classical piano at a young age studying Suzuki Method, but quickly found themselves venturing into modern music like blues, rock, and jazz via the influence of their teachers and others. Always interested in anyone who "breaks the mold", Renee eventually discovered progressive music, contemporary classical, and other more niche styles which they connected with. More recently, Renee has been enjoying Dungeon and Comfy synth, and beatless Ambient music.
Renee is inspired by diverse artists ranging from They Might Be Giants and Ween to Philip Glass and Aphex Twin.
What were the driving forces or pivotal moments that inspired you to pursue music?
"Music is about self-discovery and self-education. The only cure for a troubled mind is to learn something new. It's the one thing we do our entire lives and I have always had a healthy appetite for picking my own topics of self-study."
How would you describe your style of music?
"It's always changing. My goal is to get my finger on whatever pulse is happening around me and learn how to communicate that. I guess I am most interested in communicating joy and happiness, but also introspection and critique. I want to find something new and amazing, while also connecting with the core of my culture."
How is your personality reflected in your work?
"As I just described, my joy and introspection. Also, probably my ADD or depression. It's been a long journey of music making and my personality has gone through a lot of changes. I don't ever want to be kept in a cage creatively."
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
"Try to catch the lightning bolts which are those magic moments when inspiration just flows through you. Using whatever instrument I am feeling at the time to create something meaningful to me at that time."
What is the name of your latest release?
Lazy Faire - "Occupy your own Onion"
What was the inspiration for that release?
"It's a departure where I want to bring both sides of myself together, which is my composer self and my performing self. Typically the groups I play with are set up like the usual Rock and Roll groups; this is my attempt at taking that and making it more my own. By breaking whatever mold I can, but also making a new mold."
What challenges or unexpected moments did you encounter during the writing/recording process?
"I am always making music so when it comes to putting an EP or album together it can be hard to get everything really cohesive. That said, I think having a diverse catalog is a good thing and Frank Zappa said something along the lines of 'It's not art until you put a frame on it' which I have been trying to practice more."
What strategies do you find most effective for promoting your music?
"Ignoring expectations and using the channels that I like to use. Or letting other people do it!"
How do you engage with your fans online and offline?
"Preferably offline at shows, though currently taking a short break from that to record more stuff. So online via blogs or email is good for now."
What upcoming promotional activities or releases are you most excited about?
"Getting back to the live circuit eventually but also I have so many songs I suddenly feel I need to urgently get made. I am considering doing some subscription thing on Patreon or Bandcamp but those are sort of weird honestly. Normal non-subscription Bandcamp is my personal favorite, that and email lists."
How can folks contact you?
Sign up for the mailing list on Bandcamp: https://renee-zon.bandcamp.com
Is there anything else we should know?
"My next music coming out?! That would be anyone's guess but I did just finish another song the other night."