Renee-Louise Carafice � �Tells You To Fight�
Album Release and National Tour
Gifted singer-songwriter Renee-Louise Carafice returns to NZ from her adopted hometown of Chicago for a 15 date tour of intimate venues around New Zealand to promote the release of her debut album �Tells you to Fight�.
In 2003, on her 22nd birthday, Renee-Louise Carafice was institutionalized at Auckland's Te Whetu Tawera with severe depression. As a means of coping in this challenging time, Carafice wrote an illustrated book of songs about her experiences, later referring to them as her 'hospital songs'. While in this difficult time in her life, she feared that her life was ruined, to some extent, by her institutionalization, having no knowledge of people who had come through the mental health system and gone on to lead fulfilling and good lives. She developed a strong and unshakable vision of becoming that role model, to herself and to others, and to prove that she could not just survive mental illness but live a totally glorious life.
As soon as she was barely able, Renee-Louise Carafice released these songs to the public, through live performances with her band �Operation� and through student radio. 95bFM featured her first single, �Lorazopam� on its top ten chart for 4 straight weeks, only 8 months after her hospital release. Renee-Louise attempted to convey her experience of mental illness in a gentle, sometimes teasing, often touching musical format, which quickly saw the public reacting with fascination and support. She toured New Zealand with US acts Crooked Fingers and Micah P Hinson, as well as opening for David Pajo.
In 2005, Carafice won the Nescafe Big Break award for young people with vision, having submitted her music. With her awarded money she recorded her solo album �Renee-Louise Carafice: Tells You to Fight�. The album was recorded at Steve Albini's legendary analog recording studio �Electrical Audio� in Chicago, USA. It was engineered by Nick Abbott (engineer of Crowded House, Goldenhorse, Pluto), produced by Ben King (Goldenhorse) and mastered at Skye Mastering in Scotland (Talk Talk, Madness).
In 2006 she moved to Chicago to pursue her music career amongst her musical heroes.
Since her move, she has opened for extremely popular US acts such as Casiotone for the Painfully Alone and Xiu Xiu.
Renee-Louise is from the same music family as Goldenhorse and Anika Moa. Her music, once released, is expected to gain as wide a public following as either of those acts. Because of its quirkiness, �Tells You to Fight� has the potential to gain additional popularity amongst student radio audiences. New Zealand, more so than other countries, often ignores music that is kooky or challenging. Renee-Louise Carafice's work is intended by nature to challenge her audience and, in a kind way, to open their eyes.
Renee-Louise has recently signed to NZ independent label, Monkey Records, who will be releasing her album on 28th July through Rhythm Method. Following the tour launch on the 30th July in Auckland and a support slot for US act Band of Horses, she will be undertaking a comprehensive 15 date tour of cafes and theatres around NZ during August with Tim Guy. When performing live, she will be using multiple instruments at once, moving between keyboards, guitar and children�s instruments to create a layered and full-sounding solo act. This will be NZ audiences only chance to catch Renee-Louise in quite a while as she will be returning to Chicago at the end of the tour.
Renee-Louise�s first single �Bodhisattva� recently went to number one on the Kiwi FM charts and the video is getting good airplay on Juice, C4 and Alt TV.
�It�s great to hear someone with Renee�s creativity and skill being open about her experiences. It all helps to promote a strong positive message that people who experience mental distress are capable, creative and entitled to full citizenship.�
Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation:
Album Release Tour with Tim Guy
Wed 30 July � Hopetoun Alpha, Auckland
Fri 1 Aug � La Commune, Hamilton
Sat 2 Aug � Ceramic, Wanganui
Wed 6 Aug � Harbour Light, Lyttleton
Thu 7 Aug � Penguin Club, Oamaru
Fri 8 Aug � Circadian Rhythm, Dunedin
Sat 9 Aug � Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka
Sun 10 Aug � Dux De Lux, Queenstown
Wed 13 Aug � Crooked Mile Theatre, Hokitika
Fri 15 Aug � Yaza, Nelson
Sat 16 Aug � Le Caf�, Picton
Wed 20 Aug � Mighty Mighty, Wellington
Thu 21 Aug � Brooke Ale House, New Plymouth
Fri 22 Aug � Nectar, Thames
Sat 23 Aug �The Venue at Wharepuke, Kerkeri
Presales www.undertheradar.co.nz
Plus doorsales at venues
For more info contact: nigel@monkeyrecords.co.nz
