PREMIERE: Jaicee Rentz “Colors”

Jaicee Rentz

Jaicee Rentz

At 16 years old, most of today’s teenagers are hiding out in their parent’s basements, avoiding social interactions and Snapchatting away. Jaicee Rentz is bucking the trend with Colors, a debut EP ripe with youthful angst and lovetorn lyrics.

The EP’s title track boasts a surprising maturity. Part of that comes from the seductive vocal interplay between Rentz and singer-songwriter Tyke James, who lends a verse or two to the single. Despite her youth, Rentz’s eloquent lyrics show a deep yearning and nostalgia; when she sings “Your smile feels so cold / Cold as snow that burns my nose / Why can’t we go back? / Back to laughing in the wind” you’ll want to return to the arms of the one that got away, too.

We chatted with Rentz about where a 16-year-old draws inspiration from (hint: boys are sometimes an element) and the making of the Colors EP below.


AF: You’re from San Clemente, California. Tell us about life in Orange County. How does the landscape of where you live influence your music?  

JR: I really love to go outside and go on adventures. I think that is represented in my music and influences the vibe.

AF: At 16, I was listening exclusively to Weezer, No Doubt, and oldies radio. What music are you currently into?

JR: I love to listen to Pinegrove, Car Seat Headrest, and always Supertramp.

AF: Tell us about the genesis of this EP. Your single “Colors” has such a mature sound to it. What was the writing / production process like?

JR: None of these songs took long to write because I was not forcing [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][it]; they just sort of came to me. When I went to the studio to record, it just shaped itself and as it built up I got new ideas.

AF: At what age did you start writing music?

JR: I remember when I was twelve I would sit in my room, writing in my notebook silly songs. Of course they never went anywhere. I sung them to my cat. When I was fifteen I started to develop them more.

AF: Do you draw inspiration from personal experience or do you play with characters as basis for lyrics?

JR: I get inspiration from personal experiences for my lyrics. Music is the easiest way for me to communicate my feelings or tell my story.

AF: Can you give us a little insight into the background of the track “Colors”?

JR: Yes, but you can’t tell my parents! It is about a boy. We liked each other in the fall time, then in the winter, one of my best friends went for him and I kind of lost them as friends.

AF: My heart! Definitely reminds me of some of my own high school memories. With these songs being so personal, have you performed them live?

JR: I have not performed them live in front of huge audiences just because I have not had the opportunity to, but I definitely would if I did.

AF: Do you have a music venue that’s your #goals performance space?

JR: I would looove to perform in Red Rocks Amphitheater in my home, Colorado.

Jaicee Rentz’s debut EP Colors is out June 22.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]