Are These Guys For Real?!! Ren X Chinchilla - How To Be Me - Live Reaction!! 

They both deserve awards for song, production, and performance. Chinchilla posted a short yesterday, seemingly surprised that the whole audience knew every word. They are just beginning to realize their impact globally. It is wonderful to witness true talent rising. I have seen it with new artists before, but these two are a special breed.

This is hands down the most gorgeous duet of all time.

Chinchilla is going independent because of the type of arrangements that pushed her into a contract that was not pretty. She's grateful for all the popularity that Ren is getting because it is giving her a blow up on her channel also.

They call themselves musical siblings and I don't think that's an overstatement, they're very much in tune with each other on artistic/musical level. It's so fun to witness

Ren is all about pulling people up and not putting people down... that's something I admire so much. And his talent is so unique that he can afford to put the spotlight on others without diminishing his own bright aura! Love this guy... I can only imagine the fun and friendship of the Brighton crew, rehearsing and creating together and developing all their fantastic abilities, from singing, to instrumental, to film-making, to styling and every other creative skill! They blow me away, they really do. x

Even the music that's "not my gig" on a normal basis ... I'm not a rap kind of girl ... but I still love Ren's stuff. I got up this morning humming "The Hunger." I am 61 and my husband is 72 and he HATES rap, unsurprisingly. Well, we got our headphone connections mixed up the other day while we were in different parts of the house and suddenly he hijacked my sound. I was listening to The Hunger and my husband texted me and said, "Are you listening to that shit?!" And I said, "Yep, I am. I sure am. It's Ren." 😂 And Chinchilla's my girl! ❤ So what if there are a few things you don't resonate with? As Ren said in a short, if everyone loves what you're doing, you're probably too vanilla. There are zero of my other favorite artists whose albums I will listen to from beginning to end without skipping a song here and there. But some of the ones I skip are someone else's favorites. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Just go in knowing that even if you don't like a specific song, there are 100 others you love. 😉

Whether or not intentional, this song has a hauntingly beautiful duality. It could be the perspective of leading up to the act Ren talks about in the last couple lines, or the last couple lines could recontextualize the song as to be about the perspective of grief in the aftermath. Ren's friend Joe lost that fight. His songs "Freckled Angles" and the back half of his song "Suicide" are about Joe as well.

The bit at the start is exactly how I feel with Ren, every time he has a new song out I get nervous in case I don't like it and then it is relief when I hear it, the standard is set so high that it seems impossible to always deliver, but I've never heard any song from him that I didn't like, can't say that about many artists or bands, I can't even think of anyone else where I have liked EVERY song from them.

They are jst magical. Im 58 and worked in the music industry doing production work on large out door concerts so iv heard alot of live music. But Ren captured my soul and then introduced me to Chinchilla Sam and The Big Push and Im totally obsessed! I rarely listen to anything else. I watch others react to their magic and both want them to luv them jst as much as me and at the same time dnt want to share either. Id have posters on my wall if i cod ( am suddenly 13 yrs old)

This one is haunting and beautiful. It is a travesty that it hasn't been recognised with multiple awards. Ren's new song (begins with an S, you'll know the one) is about the same friend. The description of that song (or pinned comment) tells Joe's story. Ren's song Freckled Angels was written just after Joe died. I believe he sang it at Joe's memorial. There wasn't a traditional funeral as they never found Joe's body. If you want another of Ren's "rising tide" artists, Sam Tompkins' new song Time Will Fly features old clips of him busking with Ren. Sam tells the story of them meeting as Ren being on his way home and spotting a 15/16 yr old Sam singing with no mic etc. Ren stopped and offered him his equipment, and sat on the floor and played for him, to show Sam how many more people would stop if he did it all properly. Ren said Sam could keep all their takings. Now Sam has been on stage with Justin Bieber and is blowing up too. ❤

Sometimes, they're not harmonizing but singing countermelodies. What makes them special together is more than how their voices sound together, as spectacular as they are. I continue to be blown away by their emotional connection.

Loved your reaction. There is something about the soaring harmonies here... it electrifies me. Art matters. Few people competing in the various art fields are artists, they are gifted contractors. As you said, they manufacture moments. It's rare for great actors to also be great musicians, and Ren and Chinchilla could both rise to the top in either field. Ren, on the other hand, is also an impressive poet, and a great story-teller, and for me, that combination is unprecedented.

You are nowhere near the end of good Ren content :) honestly if the dozens and dozens of songs and videos he has there are literally only like 2-3 that don’t blow me away.

You are spot on , the audience has found Ren as he is genuine, a true talent not contrived or manufactured . He shares his voice, his story & bears his soul. ❤

two voices and one guitar creating such a complete, full sound - magic

For real..."How are these 2 not performing this at the Grammys ". Answer is simple. They are independently producing their own stuff. And the industry is gatekeeping them as a form of punishment for the insolence of such independence.

That was a really great reaction/response. Appreciated. I liked what you said about Ren doing what he feels and is fearless. ☮

Moving and eloquent reaction 🥹❤ I understand the apprehension you mentioned, but Ren’s catalog is so deep and wide I don’t think it’s something you should worry about 😄 whatever I’m currently listening to is my favorite in the moment, another testament to Ren’s and Chinchilla’s abilities to be and perform in the moment ❤‍🔥

Fellow Aussie Awesome reaction man I love this because your reaction to this song is so musically technical but also you are so so emotionally authentic. In the last couple months I have gone thru all of Rens catalog (along with a million other folks I would say) and it’s scary bro, if you do a ren song every week till Christmas you won’t be disappointed, from his last release - Suicide (made me cry) to way back. Anyways, I just subscribed to your channel, I’m about to go back and check out your previous reactions. Take care man Daz Berrima, NSW, Australia

The only song I didnt really vibe with was Animal Flow, but loved the accoustic version, EVERY other Ren track i have listened to has been of such high calibre that it just blows me away. The guy is a genius, so i really hope you keep reacting to his work. He has enriched my life so much, what a guy he is ❤.

You have to remember some of Rens material was recorded at 17 .that being said even though it doesn't have the depth that his recent material dose , it always seems to be quality music . Songs like humble and ocean or crutch all have a uniqueness and creativity that sets them apart from the cookie cutter variety we see elce where ,so I dont think you will be let down too badly at all. Thanks for a great reaction

Watched it like 20 times and it still gives me chills❤so good

They both focus so hard on each other’s body language to gauge where one another is going. It’s visually and harmonically beautiful.

Chemistry plus! John and Olivia did it, now these two. Happiness is The Big Push with Ren. I SHOT THE SHERIFF/ ZION / HIP HOP mash up ENGLISH MAN IN NEW YORK Thanks for your real reaction to How to be Me

There is No Not Good content from Ren! Honestly... in my 55 years I've never been able to say that!

Agree 100% ...Ren deserve to get a few Grammy's ( Hi Ren)...and a single performance at the Grammys will blow him over the top into a instant Mega star ...and a duet with Chinchilla (Chalk Outlines) ...Super stars !! 🎉🎉🎉#Grammys

I find this combination is second to none, a revelation. One Dance/Drunk in Love Busking in Brighton is STUNNING. Great reaction.

I think this was recorded on the bridge where Joe jumped. I can't imagine the amount of emotion and Ren is still able to hold it together to sing and pour all that emotion into this without losing it.

Thank you!!! This has been one of my favorite tracks since I discovered Ren this past January, and I could never put my finger on what makes them singing together so good in this song, even in Chalk Outlines. I used to do a little studio engineering many moons ago, and even though it's live, I know a touch of reverb is used or a bit of this and that are tweaked for the final release, but I knew it wasn't anything like that. You nailed it with your explanation of "harmonizing" with other singers, compared to singing on your own, kind of like riding a motorcycle by yourself as opposed to with a passenger where you both have to lean into turns at the same time, etc.... It was almost like they each recorded them doing the song on their own and someone combined them in post, except they didn't, they did it real time. So simple yet brilliant, Cheers mate!! Great reaction too, just subbed!!

Absolutely agree with you about ‘the vibe’. Their singing is fantastic but also the visual fantastically compliments that. For instance, in the section where they take the hum and build it up to an explosion, if you watch their faces, it accents the explosion. Not only that, their faces prepare you to anticipate it which makes you feel it as even more explosive.

You make an interesting point about how they both retain the "character" in their voices and are both performing... youre absolutely correct, its like a dance between them. Honestly, I'd argue that this song would feel woefully incomplete if one of them tried to perform this alone. Its just hauntingly beautiful

Just wait till you get into Ren's band "The Big Push" and their live outdoor busking videos. They're absolutely amazing musicians and their covers are insane. BUT if you do react to them make sure you get the videos from "The Big Push" RU-vid Page because they have the better live busking videos than the ones in Ren's page. So you DEFINITELY should react to their mash up cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff/Road to Zion /Hip Hop" and you'll know that it is the right video because Ren is wearing a wife beater and red suspenders. They also do amazing cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" that's from the same live outdoor busking show (little secret, it also is a mash up in a way and people who aren't fans of Black Sabbath and ozzy don't pick up on the changes they do during the song) And another absolutely bananas cover from that same show is their cover of The Rolling Stones "Paint It Black" with Ren playing bass (I'm a bass player I'm a thrash, hardcore, metal band and I'm so damn jealous of his level of skill haha) So Ren plays bass on that song and Gorran their bass playing is on guitar and singing. But if you really want to see Wren make all of us bass players look stupid go watch their live busking cover of "Wade in the Water/ Nina Simone Trouble so High" it's from a different day than the last 3 I did you about but man Ren plays the bass on that song like a damn lead guitar. Solos left and right. But what really trips me out about all of their live outdoor busting videos is that they're playing through little Roland Cube speaker and besides their guitar and bass pedals that's it and they sound absolutely ridiculous it's so good.

There is a Raw Honesty to REN that shines through all of his work , even when doing covers with The Big Push, there is just something that grabs you and tears at your emotions. I'm 55 and over the years there have been tracks from differing artists that have touched me, in different ways, but never has there been an artist that every track resonates. Great reaction I'd like to see your take on "Dominoes", when you get time of course........

I am choked up every time I watch Ren's "How to Be Me" the presentation is deeply engaging. I experience an uncontrollable wave of emotions. Intense, haunting roller-coaster soulful, melody and lyrics that demands to be experienced multiple times! ✌️

it's fkn incredible how in the 1s and 2nd "hallellujah"s at the end, they become their 100% singular selves, and in the 3rd they mesh like magic made audible. and the ren ending of course. cause mfkr has to make SURE you're crying by the end of his songs.

WOW, just WOW!!! I've watched this more times than I care to admit...still blows me away.🔥🔥🔥reaction!!

Enjoying your deep level analysis of how their voices work together on this. "Witness a moment" is a great description of this particular piece of musical poetry.

I'm paralyzed by these two. This is incredibly stunning. They left me here weeping.

I play my Ren and co playlist all the time, and I never skip a song. I’m very like you regarding lyrics, but I must admit Ren has the ability to make me hear “everything”. Love you reactions 🫶

The good content never runs out. I put off watching a lot of stuff for the same fear, but I’ve never come across anything i didn’t like yet. No one can compare to Ren, the way he crosses genre’s, his signing and instrumental talent, his ability to produce his own beats and the amazing one take videos, he truly is a genius. The more reactions i watch and the more comments i read, I learn just how incredibly smart he is and I can appreciate his music even more. Ps as a fellow Aussie I’d love to see you react to Kasey Chambers cover of Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ live at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. Def not how we normally think of Kasey, and it deserves to blow up.

This song is about those haunted by the dearly departed when the dearly departed choose to leave, what could I have said what could I have done is this my fault.

You should really try Praise You, Ren and his 2 band members cover of the Fat Boy Slim song.. their band is called The Big Push.. you can’t go wrong with any of their covers or original music.. they do a mean cover of Englishman in New York.. and many others… for an original you can try It’s Alright.. you might also enjoy Ren and Sam Tompkins busking of Earned it/ Mans world / Falling.. and then you have another rabbit hole in Sam 😋😁 (you will understand when you hear him sing)

Really enjoyed this reaction! We saw you come by and visit with us earlier today, marked you down for Chinchilla to know she needs to perform in Sydney lol I subscribed to you for future content, and I'll be diving into your catalog for more as well! Thank you for supporting this artists and their communitites. See you again!

I like to call him Ren "The Tide" he rises near him all that are "see" worthy.

So beautifully done this one. Their voices compliment each other so so well. Their timing is impeccable! Just pure beauty in an amazing artform! Great reaction brother 👏👌🔥🤙❤️

The algorithm just brought you into my feed and I loved your reaction! Just got a sub from me ❤ Their chemistry is off the charts. I’m looking forward you checking out The Big Push. I’m the same as your friend, I know so many lyrics off by heart and when I got into rap a couple of years ago I learnt them too! Got practicing and I can do some pretty fast flows now, love it 😂 P.S. Spoiler alert: Ren is human, but he’s a super special human and an incredible musician. You have so much left to enjoy and appreciate. Enjoy the ride ❤

Wow, what a fantastic reaction. Talking about them looking into each others eyes was brilliant.

I don't think there's anything that not at the very least musically, harmonically & lyrically good... Almost everything he's done including Big Push is just amazing.

So calm on the surface, so deep is the water! This song seems simple, but it's so complex.❤

Another great reaction. I know you worry you will find something you won’t like but honestly every song in his catalogue is great. From his album freckled angels to performances live with the big push or Sam. Keep the journey up it’s absolutely worth it.

Ren and Daisy (Chinchilla) are like soul siblings - He refers to her as his Sister From Another Mister 😆 The connection is real. They're close ❤

That harmonizing at the start, it reminds me of Leo Delibes 'Lakme' opera, specifically the "Flowers' Duet" which was, for years, the theme of British Airways advertising. I thought that was the inspiration but, given the studio version of the song has violins/violas/cellos (or synthesiser, I wouldn't know) I guess I guessed wrong.

Its funny you mention the phrase "a rising tide lifts all ships" here... not sure if youve seen rens thank you video when he hit 1 million subs but i think youd like it 😊💜 Also, love that shirt!

I loved your reaction. And your earnestness/authenticity. This is my take, and only my take, on his lyrics. I believe Ren is channeling the fear and isolation his friend may have been feeling right up to his suicide. fear baptized me / sad eyes blind me over and over we go /over the hills and the valleys below oh and it [hopelessness] follows me, follows me home / and it suffocates me [drowning] oh I can't breathe [gasping] / i said oh i can't breathe all I know is I forgot how to be me breathe so loudly / sins surround me I really like the structure of the song. The music and the performance of the music are in brilliant service of the lyrics. Ren's voice is his friend Joe. Chinchiila's voice is so affirming that she might be giving Ren / Joe permission to let go. How's that for ambiguity.

Mate. I’m a singer and lyrics matter most to me BUT. I don’t play instruments or even understand music. I sometimes can’t even hear the different instruments but you seem to have a real balance with both. Proper love your channel

Regarding your initial thoughts, I think the "buck stopped" with Animal Flow. Probably the most mixed reviews I've seen of a Ren song. If you go back through his older stuff, I don't think there is going to be a drop. Crutch is amazing and I keep hearing Freckled Angels album is incredible and that was years ago. So....idk. Maybe in a couple decades? Lol Also love the reaction brother!

The fact that Ren made it thru the calamitous health issues & misdiagnoses bullsh!t he did.... well, I reckon those years seared into his psyche what's *really* important in life, stripping away any temptations of doing anything that's not 100% genuine while he's creating. Tough path to gaining creative superpowers, but good God does he have them! I obviously hope, on a basic human compassion level, that Daisy hasn't had to go thru years of horrific pain to get to where she is.... but she drips integrity doing her thing too. It's a different thing- she chooses the nails, & creates outfits for performances & videos etc, crafting a personality which she slips into for her music. Ren *lives it* 24/7 - you can easily picture him in any situation just grab a guitar & something comes pouring out of him. Whereas the lovely, quiet, unassuming, Daisy decides when & where Chinchilla materialises to do her thing. When Daisy lets Chinchilla out to play tho, she & Ren 100% *get it* & work super well together. :) p.s. I'm totally with you, in that I also tend to soak up the *feeling* in a piece of music initially, only going back thru subsequent listens to pay attention to lyrics *if* the feel of the thing warrants investing time into getting to know it fully. Hey, I'm a massive Soundgarden fan, so even if the lyrical content is not top-tier poetry with devastatingly insightful commentary etc, I'll happily overlook that if the *feel* of the music hits right! ;)

They act and sing like twins of the soul, they look at each other like dreamy lovers. More to come from these 2 as a duet, at the least... I hope anyway

I’m a new subscriber and have been binging all your Ren & Chinchilla videos. This is another excellent reaction to Ren and Chinchilla’s mastery. Well done!

This entire song except the last line was written from the perspective of one of his best friends Joe who committed suicid... "Talking to the dead; voices in my head. Fear and Sin follow me over the hill and valleys below; back home, and it suffocates me... I wish I could move get up and walk out of this tomb (the tomb here is Joe's mind)."

I have been avoiding listening to this song for exactly the same apprehension you voiced in your intro - this was definitely the right reaction for my intro! This was captivating - and the way they were so in sync is masterful. I’m just in awe of how their brains and their talents work.

The story of the loss of his friend is the subject of the song Suicide. His friend is memorialized in Freckled Angels

Such a gorgeous performance and a beautiful reaction ty👏

Great analysis👍🦇

Lovely reaction, they are so amazing, it is a pleasure to be along for the ride

Ren has labelled his musicstyle as Bardcore music.

Thanks!

she reminds me of the feeling of seeing Kate Bush for the first time in the 70s she was so nuvo cool fresh and also can write and sing

I cry each time I hear this. It's beautiful and heart wrenching.

try this and its over 10 years old "Ren / Trick The Fox - Living Room Poetry" that's the RU-vid title

If we’re holding our breath about when will it “not be as great,” can you imagine how Ren feels . . .? 😊

Wonderful reaction and analysis. Very impressive…. You’ve gained a fan

There is a recording of Ren singing this alone in his bedroom, in which he breaks down before singing the final verse. He explains about Joe during that recording. Joe permeates through everything Ren writes, even in light hearted moments Joe is present through references such as to the Swanton Bomb: a moment from their childhood. For me this songs is the duet of our time.

I’m loving your content 👏🏼 keep it up!

The word that comes to me is organic. His music comes organically. It's as real as you will ever get.

Even without Ren Chinchilla should be a dominating singer/song writer/producer in her own right! Her vocals are astounding. Ren is changing the music industry by challenging people to be vulnerable and completely honest about what they are truly feeling. Then Chinchilla is here changing attitudes in the music industry for women by being strong and fierce but also giving violent attitude. I can’t say enough about what Chinchilla and her songs mean to me. I think most women can relate to the single powerful line ‘put your keys in your knuckles like I HAVE to’ because what good are keys between your knuckles going to do against a man (or woman) who is trying to hurt you? It’s a sad thing when you think about it. Chinchilla’s music deserves to be heard by women (and men) who have a need for standing strong. The music industry needs to listen to Chinchilla and Ren and be afraid for what they’ve accomplished on their own without it.

fantastic reaction man

You presented a great perspective in your review. Thanks!xo

Dude, you really do get it, and you say it like I only wish that I could. Thank's, keep it up.

I’ve not seen such an underground movement in music since we had bootleg tapes of nirvana 30 odd years ago. Ren is THAT good.

I absolutely love watching reactions to this one. ❤ It's just so mesmerizing and interesting to see others' thoughts on it. Love it!

Two songs that will make you smile… Bongo Bong and An Englishman in NY.. both are Ren with The Big Push (part of them anyway)!! Great performances both! Great reaction, thanks - subscribed to enjoy your future reactions!

Loved watching your reaction to this ❤ Cheers pal 👍🍻

I really love these two together! Even though, this one is a tough one for me to get through. It’s just so raw.

I really enjoy your reactions. This song is Magic

What a great reaction tion and commentary to an amazing track... it hits harder when you understand the back story to it and even the location it was shot at .... they're just on a different level, love it 🤗👍🇬🇧

An amazing performance of an equally amazing song deserving of one of the best reactions I’ve seen to it, you did yourself proud on this one! Nice one.

Awesome reaction. Every goddamn time)

So good to hear an Australian reaction 🎉❤

I still get chills listening to this ❤

I don't know bro. I have yet to hear anything by Ren or any of the musicians he collaborates with. They're just that good!

I haven't yet come across a Ren song that I don't love 🖤

just unreal! im just so in love chinchilla sam eden the pig push! they are unreal! hugs all around fun reaction

Beautiful ❤🇬🇧

Learned a lot today.

Great reaction video … I agree they are magic together… I hope they collaborate again in the future because everything they do together is beautiful…. I love how ethereal her voice is … they give me chills harmonizing together …. Ren must be a magnet for talent, it seems that everyone around him is amazingly talented as well Peace ❤

Having watched most of Ren's music on RU-vid, I'd like to put your fears to rest. Some if his music is brilliant, some is just catchy and fun. But, none will disappoint. He seems to be just as advertised.

RIP Joe Hughes 🖤

All I could add is: Amen! Oh... And in that wait... Just dont hold your breath!

Its funny man, there are songs that I don't love from Ren. But there hasn't been one that I objectively think its bad. At this point I feel I might just be biased. Because for real, how can it be that theres just charm in everything he does even if its not "my thing" sometimes. My favorite so far have been the ones where he's just having fun with the music and writing. Losing It and the Love Music series or the What You Want songs are all really fun to listen to and see his funny side. The dude is really funny.