Renata Novo

An interview with Renata Novo, one of the most promising new talents of Lithuania.
I just want to thank her for this wonderful idea and prompt answers.


Is Renata Novo is your real name?

Renata Novo is my stage name. It`s a shorter version of my real Lithuanian name Renata Novogreckaite. I have many international friends, who studied in my country or I met them during my travels abroad. For foreigners it was really difficult to pronounce my real surname, so I just made it shorter. By the way, Latin expression "de Novo" means "New" and my name Renata translated from Latin means "Born Again". So choosing this stage name Renata Novo I`ve showed to the world that I`m starting my NEW life as a musician, who is not affraid to create unique and NEW songs. In my concerts I try to avoid covers and perform only my songs :)


What city did you grow up? Where do you live?

I was born in Mazeikiai, Lithuania, and there I grew up. I`ve graduated my BA and MA communication studies in second biggest town in Lithuania – Kaunas, where I`m living, working and creating my music at the moment.


How long do you play music?

At school time I started singing in a youth jazz band, at university – playing guitar and singing in rock cover band and from 2013 I strongly decided to start creating my own music as Renata Novo. So... It`s around 15 years for singing and 8 years for playing guitar.


Is what you studied music or did you learn on your own?

The basics of singing I learnt while singing in youth jazz band, my voice got stronger singing in rock band, so now I can use this knowledge for my own music. My BA and MA studies are not related to music, but communication & advertising. Maybe that`s why I give so much importance for word and lyrics of the songs. Every my song has a story: from my life, from movies, from books, from dreams, etc. I like telling these stories to the audience during my concerts.


What are the artists who gave you the desire to do your job and what artists do you like listening to?

I started playing guitar because of the Irish band "The Cranberries" song "Zombie". I think this band is my musical mother, who inspired and gave birth for my first songs. These days I listen to various types of music from rock, punk to jazz, reggae.


Is that you have a web site to disseminate your music?

You can find my music on http://www.youtube.com/user/RenataNovoMusic
Follow my music life on https://www.facebook.com/RenataNovoMusic
Listen my songs mp3 on https://soundcloud.com/renata-novogreckaite-1


How many songs have you recorded?

I have many songs started just not finished yet. Usually in the concerts I play around 10-12 songs, 6 of them you can find on youtube.

Renata Novo feat. Marius Sabutis "Hedgehog In The Fog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJa81FlPTSs

Renata Novo feat. Marius Sabutis "I`m Falling"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWcDNd2EPhs

Renata Novo "The Leaving Song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmZg66YSX_I

Renata Novo "Do You Really Care?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fuxordVnw

Renata Novo "Snaige"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTFifB4GpyY

Renata Novo feat. Marius Sabutis "Your Arse"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjFk5zYiwpI

Renata Novo "Not My Life Again"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZetkZSrRwg

Is alone or with band for recording your songs?

Now we are two: me for vocals and Marius Sabutis for guitar (he is the guy in the BalconyTV video). I create lyrics and music, Marius helps to develop. This period is for creating songs and presenting them in acoustic concerts. If audience likes them – we can record them for an album. First album is our future plan.


Have you play? or envisaged live show soon? In what country?

At the moment we have concerts only in Lithuania – follow my Facebook page and you won`t miss my concerts. When we gonna release our first album – then you can think about concerts abroad. Everything is in the future :)


Now about your glasses. Like many singers, you wear glasses instead of contact lenses, when did you choose to wear them? Is it for fashion or is that it happened naturally?

I`m wearing glasses from school time, cause I have myopia. Of course like all children in the beggining I didin`t like them, but now it`s really nice detail which helps to stand out from the crowd. Usually I choose different frame colors when changing glasses. At some period I had burgundy, green, stripped, now – black with yellow sides :) Glasses are cool! Now it`s almost part of my body :)