Note: This is the first WellTree blog post in a category that I call “Open Heart,” which is purely an exploration into an interest or passion that may or may not have a direct connection to heart health.
One of my life’s passions is music. Reflecting on my life, I can connect music to specific moments or significant periods. My earliest such memory was Glen Campbell’s Rhinestone Cowboy, which was released in 1975 while my family was living outside of Madrid, Spain. I was into cowboys, as many self-respecting six-year-olds would have been, and I was captivated by the thought of “riding out on a horse in a star-spangled rodeo.” Next came Gary Numan’s Cars, Blondie’s Rapture, and the Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight, released in 1979/1980 and sounding unlike anything then, but all made a significant impression on this young kid, by this time in Northern California.
In High School in the mid-80s in Stockton, California, I somehow stumbled upon the local college radio station – KUOP – that played underground music from Europe on Sundays from 10 pm to midnight. This opened my ears to bands like The Cure, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, OMD, The Clash, and other bands in the punk/post-punk/goth/new wave genres. Pre-internet, underground music was not at your fingertips, and discoveries like these felt like finding buried treasure and mentally transported me away from California’s Central Valley to London, where things were cooler than they were at home. I would spend hours rifling through the import section in record stores in Stockton, San Francisco, and eventually, New York, where I moved for college in 1987, searching for obscure music.
Music and the Heart
Music has always been a form of emotional expression, and studies back up what many of us feel intuitively: music is good for the heart. According to the American Heart Association, music can help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve mental health. While I won’t dive too deeply into the research here, it’s safe to say that music is a healthy way to relieve stress and care for your heart.
Discovering Ren – A Musical Obsession
My latest musical obsession is a 34-year-old Welsh artist named Ren Gill. Ren’s cult-like followers are called Renegades, and it’s safe to say that I am one. Ren’s music, like all great art, isn’t just for the ears; it’s good for the soul and, I’d argue, good for the heart.
Who is Ren?
Ren is a multi-instrumental, cross-genre musician known for his emotionally resonant songwriting, theatrical videos, and infectious beat-making. Born in March 1990 into a musical family, Ren’s childhood was filled with an eclectic mix of artists from Sting to Nina Simone. His parents, who he describes as “hippies,” took him to festivals at a young age, which exposed him to unique sounds. His dad gave him a guitar at ten, and he learned by watching YouTube and slowing down Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante, as he shared on the Justin Hawkins Rides Again podcast.
He moved to Bath, England, to study music at university. While there, he formed his first band called Trick the Fox around 2009. While busking, he was approached by a producer from Sony Records, which led to Trick the Fox signing a record contract in 2010. That plan got derailed due to a mysterious illness that started in 2009 and progressively got worse. The illness caused him to move back to his mom’s house, where he lay bedridden for up to 23 hours/day while his musical aspirations took a backseat to trying to stay alive and understand the source of his misery.
He released his first solo album, “Freckled Angels” in January, 2016, which includes the song he wrote for his best friend Joe, who tragically passed away in 2010. Things took a turn for the better in 2016 when a doctor who had seen this painful video offered him experimental stem cell treatment for free if he could make it to Los Angeles, which he did. In 2017, he got well enough to move to Brighton, England, where he met other musicians and formed a band called The Big Push (TBP). TBP mainly busked around Brighton, playing a mix of originals and highly inspired covers. Their energetic live performances saw increasingly larger crowds, and the videos posted to their YouTube channel started to go viral. Ren also busked with friend Sam Tompkins around the same time, and their videos also went viral.
With his health issues persisting, in 2022, he focused on raising money to move to Calgary, Canada, to undergo treatment for his illness. By this time, and after years of misdiagnosis/mistreatment, he was confirmed to have Lyme disease and related complications that caused him autoimmunity, illness, and psychosis. His move to Calgary to focus on his health, combined with the personal pursuits of his TBP bandmates, led to the band’s peaceful dissolution. In advance of his move and knowing that he would be offline focusing on his health, he worked on finishing his second album, “Sick Boi,” and created other videos that he would release to maintain his online presence.
Ren’s Masterpiece: Hi Ren
In December 2022, a month before moving to Calgary, Ren released his masterpiece, “Hi Ren,” a 9+ minute theatrical video that became a viral sensation. The video, shot in a single take, showcases Ren’s battle with his illness, embodying the darkness and light that have dominated his life for over a decade. The raw authenticity struck a chord with viewers and YouTube “reactors,” who are often other musicians, producers, or even therapists/psychologists who record videos capturing their emotions as they watching music videos for the first time. There are countless such videos, and today, Hi Ren has been streamed 38M times on YouTube, not counting reaction videos, and has received critical acclaim from the likes of esteemed composer Andrew Lloyd Weber, Sinead O’Connor, and Ren fanboy Russel Crowe.
Ren’s Increasing Stature
After the release of Hi Ren, Ren’s popularity soared, as shown by increasing interest in his music, but he still remains relatively under the radar, particularly outside the UK. As an independent artist, Ren handles much of his own promotion, a necessity as his ongoing health issues have limited opportunities that would otherwise boost his profile further. For instance, he had to turn down an invitation to perform at Glastonbury in 2023, one of the most iconic music festivals in the world. Despite these challenges, Ren has kept a consistent presence online by releasing content, engaging in interviews with reactors, livestreaming, and staying active on social media to maintain his visibility.
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Ren continued creating and releasing material as his health allowed while undergoing treatment in Calgary and during visits back home to the UK. In October 2023, he released his second album, Sick Boi. Though he was unable to attend the release party due to being in Canada for treatment, Sick Boi reached an incredible milestone by hitting #1 on the UK charts, ahead of artists like Rick Astley, Taylor Swift, and Drake. The emotional moment Ren discovered this achievement, captured on video, was a touching validation of the hard work and struggle he has endured over the years.Ren continued to release new content throughout 2024, receiving additional awards and recognition. However, as of this writing, Ren is once again dealing with health complications related to his autoimmune issues. While he focuses on his recovery, his team continues to post from his content library, and his loyal Renegades offer support and words of encouragement in the comments, reflecting the deep bond between the artist and his community.
Ren’s Cult-Like Appeal
It’s not always easy to pinpoint why someone connects so deeply with a particular artist. However, in the case of Ren, his fans provide plenty of insight in the comments section of his posts. They describe his music as “medicine for the soul,” with some claiming that it “saved my life” or calling it “the most raw, beautiful song about the human experience I’ve ever heard.” Fans come from all walks of life, often sharing their age, location, and love for various genres, whether country, classic rock, or hip-hop. Yet Ren’s music seems to cut across these divides, creating a deeply personal connection. Comments like “I’m a 52-year-old grandma, and I have never heard anything so profound” or “This is the best performance I’ve seen in my 64 years on this earth” illustrate his broad appeal.
Much of this connection comes from Ren’s life story—a journey marked by hardship, anxiety, depression, suicide, medical gaslighting, and chronic illness. His battles with Lyme disease and related conditions make him relatable to others facing similar challenges, and his perseverance offers hope to many. Unlike artists who come from privilege, Ren has had to rely on his music to fund his treatments, many of which have led to dead ends. Despite all this, he remains humble and down-to-earth in interviews, often displaying a more lighthearted personality than his intense lyrics suggest.
Ren’s authenticity is another key aspect of his appeal. He doesn’t create music for fame or money; instead, he follows his heart and lets the music flow naturally. In interviews, he has mentioned his need to write songs that are simply fun to balance out the heavier, more emotional tracks like Hi Ren. This balance between intensity and playfulness makes him relatable on a human level, and his refusal to conform to any one genre speaks to his uniqueness as an artist. Fans appreciate his raw, genre-defying talent, which, combined with his personal story, makes Ren an artist like no other.
Let Me Tell You A Story
I’ve resisted the urge to link to any of his videos earlier in this article. It would be easy to share Hi Ren and wait for people’s reactions, which are often like, “Wow, that was amazing.” Instead, I’d like to introduce you to some of his earlier videos that truly showcase his raw talent beyond the theatricality of Hi Ren. So here’s my prescription to start you down the Ren rabbit hole:
These videos represent essential Ren. I could point you to earlier performances that capture his raw talent in his younger years or to newer ones that showcase the evolution of his sound and themes. You might also find interest in the many interviews where he offers insight into his creative process or videos that show his vulnerability from the depths of despair. But if these videos resonate with you, I’ll leave it to you to continue down the “Ren rabbit hole,” as we Renegades like to say.
And So It Goes
Music is good for the heart, as noted above. Passion and purpose are vital for positive mental and emotional health, and they help relieve stress, regulate blood pressure, improve heart rate variability, and promote better sleep. In a previous WellTree article, “How Creativity Nourishes Your Heart,” we explored how creative flow positively impacts heart health. Ren, to me, is the embodiment of these principles—passion, purpose, and flow. You see it when he performs, eyes closed, as he fully embodies the performance. His near-death experiences have given him a unique perspective on life, and he channels that raw energy and insight into his music. Ren’s talent was evident long before his illness, but I believe his sickness deepened his artistry. The struggles he faced fueled his passion, and music, in turn, helped him survive.
While most of us may never face the challenges Ren has endured, we all have the opportunity to find our own passions and purpose. For me, music and creativity are essential—thank you for indulging me in sharing Ren’s story and how it resonates with my own. When I’m fully absorbed in music, the world slows down, and I feel more present. It’s one of the best forms of medicine for the heart, both physically and emotionally.
Whether through music, art, or another passion, finding something that makes you feel alive is not just good for the soul, it’s essential for your well-being. I invite you to explore your passion and purpose, knowing that it’s good for both your heart and soul.
So thankful you introduced me/us to REN … I have journied down the rabbit hole and have immense respect as well. FABulous overview/intro/deep dive here … and appreciate how his music and journey brings your beautiful heart goodness!
Thank you for reading and for sharing in the Ren rabbit hole journey! xoxo
What an amazing blog! I love your passion, thoughtfulness, and articulation—it really shines through in your writing. I hope Ren discovers this someday and personally thanks you!
Thank you, Shannon…I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment, it means a lot coming from you!
Wonderful piece. I can only imagine the struggle to pick which songs/videos to hi-light! As we Renegades know, his catalog is deep and each new track is a favorite…until the next and the next and the next and just how do you ever choose? Each has moments of deepest resonance and appropriateness, depending on individual mood and circumstance.
I simultaneously hope that the world at large discovers the beauty and talent that is REN while also hoping he maintains his moderate level of success that supports him financially and creatively, but also allows him to maintain some semblance of privacy, which is important to him. I’m just grateful I discovered his work and will forever be a Renegade.
Hi Melissa! You are so right…there are so many things to share, not just music but interviews, reaction videos, etc. I like starting with raw busking and buiding from there with Hi Ren being the main event…though I think Money Game 3 is a nice follow-up to that. But to your point, there is so many directions one could go with an article like this.
And yes, hoping the world at large discovers Ren, assuming that doesn’t adversely affect him or his ability to stay true to himself. Bigger isn’t always necessarily better! But I agree with your sentiment.
Can I ask how did you find this article? It’s helpful for me to understand. Thanks again for reading and commenting!
A wonderful article on Ren (our boi). Thank you for spreading the word!
One of Ren’s mottos is ‘A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships’ ❤🌊⛵ Together we can strive to do better & help & support each orher.
Thank you so much, Nicola! I’m trying to do my part to ensure the world knows about Ren! He’s a gift. And I agree with that motto…I love his inclusiveness (Kujo aside lol!). If I may ask, how did you find this article? It’s helpful for me to understand. Thanks again for reading and commenting!
I too say that Ren is the best artist of today’s music. It’s not only the music but one finds themselves “truly caring about” thos young man. He is truly a gift to the world, and I, like so many others am a Renegade.
I couldn’t agree more, Rhonny!
Brian, thank you for the excellent, thorough article. I think we are near the same age- my earliest musical infatuation was also “Rhinestone Cowboy.” I discovered Ren maybe four months ago. I’ve been listening to / watching musical performances a long time, and I’ve been playing guitar for more than 35 years. Ren is one of a very few performers that I would call a musical “genius.” I really think he is important to this world, and I appreciate you helping to spread the word.
Wow, you are like my spiritual doppelganger! If you were in LA, I’d say let’s jam! But you are right; he is a genius in many ways…I hope he gets his due, but part of me likes that he is still somewhat unknown…it adds to the mystique a bit! Thanks for reading…I’d be curious to know how you found this article? Regardless, thanks again and keep rocking!