Storytellers takes a glimpse into an artist’s inner psyche through a story of their choice.
In this edition, Lauren Morgan of SALES explains why both she and Jordan Shih (also of SALES) decided to title their debut single “renee.”
“renee” was written as a kind of craigslist missed connection. What I’m about to tell you is going to turn you on:
It was some kind of night out; Jordan and I were entertaining a friend from out of town. We don’t usually go to bars or anything like that: Jordan has a low alcohol tolerance (that night his cheeks were all rosy right off the bat), and whenever we have a free moment—in between work and laundry—we work on music at his condo.
We went to bar out on Mills called Lil Indies. It was tiny, I’m pretty sure she sat down with us because there were no other places to sit. She tramped over to our table with no regard for human life and sat her South Florida ass down. But I’m getting ahead of myself, whose to say she is even really from South Florida? She lied to us about her occupation. Initially she claimed to be a stripper and then landed on something wild like a prison nutritionist. We were instantly and hopelessly in love. As we got to know her over some kind of hoighty-toighty kraft beer that tasted more like a stack of pancakes than anything, she adamantly described her daily bathing ritual (candles + bubbles + pink wine = ultimate relaxation for the modern day, independent woman).
One thing led to another, and in a voluptuous, heaving request, she reached across the table and asked Jordan to dance. Without hesitation, they danced, hand in hand and hand on hip (slight butt grazing), swaying and swirling to “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies. She asked me to take off my ball cap and mentioned in a warm whisper that I was “a whole ‘nother woman without it.” Zoing!
Did I mention there were two other friends with her? Renee went on (with her pack) to another bar and offered to buy me a drink if I showed up. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to catch up until last call. And by then, all of us were totally different animals. For one reason or another, we were unable to step up to the plate and seal the deal. Whatever that means to you.
Returning from the night out, Jordan and I were devastated. We continued to talk about her until she manifested into our own late night legend of “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve.” About a day or so later we wrote our debut single, and it only made sense to title it “renee.”
If you are out there Renee, holla back!
Portals has already featured “renee,” so we would like to share another track with you. The following track is titled “toto” and we hope you enjoy it. Thank you!
Pre-order SALES.’ forthcoming renee / tonka time 7″ here.