Hello everyone it’s your host Daniel from Dulaxi, and today I have with me the exceptional artist Ferdinand Rennie from Dunoon, Scotland. And Ferdinand Rennie is here to discuss his recent emotional and powerful single “Why Do We Try?” which was released on April 24th, 2026. So, welcome, Ferdinand Rennie!. But before we begin our interview, to our audience; here is what you need to know about this artist.
Ferdinand Rennie is an Austrian born British singer whose career has spanned over three decades, marked by remarkable performances across television, musical theatre, live concerts, and international music releases. Throughout his journey, he has appeared on ORF Austrian Broadcasting for the Austrian elimination of the Eurovision Song Contest, German television shows, and the British ITV show BRITAINS GOT TALENT (2022) where he performed “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. His theatrical career includes leading roles in acclaimed productions such as LES MISÉRABLES, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ELISABETH, TABALUGA & LILLI, and THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Ferdinand Rennie has also captivated audiences through charity galas, live events, and memorable performances including singing in Monte Carlo before Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. His catalogue includes releases such as CHASE THE SUN, GOODBYE, A WING AND A PRAYER, IT’S TIME, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, THE PRAYER, TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS, and the January 2026 ballad UNBELIEVING EYES. His latest single, “Why Do We Try?”, written by Michael Andrew Storm and Meg McAndrew, and produced by Sefi Carmel, Alan Vukelic, and Ferdinand Rennie, stands as a dramatic standalone number from the American musical THE FALL OF THE FINAL CURTAIN. The song follows the emotional perspective of a celebrated performer facing the final curtain call of a beloved musical production, struggling with the fear that he may never experience another show quite like it again. Through a grand ballad arrangement and deeply emotional delivery, Ferdinand Rennie elevates the song into a heartfelt and bittersweet musical experience that powerfully captures reflection, uncertainty, and devotion to the stage.
Having this brief Introduction about Ferdinand Rennie, I’m sure new and current fans must be excited about our Interview today.
INTERVIEW SESSION
Daniel: Having spent over three decades in music and musical theatre, what would you say has been the defining force that has kept your passion for performance alive throughout the years?
Ferdinand Rennie: It was mostly my love for music and the world of musical theatre to bring in my own talent and to see where to journey goes…
Daniel: Your career has taken you from major musical productions like Britain’s Got Talent and Les Misérables to performing in front of Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco. Looking back, which moments feel the most personally transformative to you as an artist?
Ferdinand Rennie: I had the pleasure to sing for my partner Brian Rennie at his worldwide fashion shows – this was always the most nerve-wracking moments for me.
Daniel: Growing up Austrian-born and later building your career in Scotland while working across international productions, how have those different cultural experiences shaped your artistic identity and vocal storytelling?
Ferdinand Rennie: WE LIVE ALL IN ONE WORLD AND FOR ME TO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO LIVE ON DIFFERENT SITES OF THE WORLD GAVE ME VERY MUCH COMFORT OVER THE YEARS
Daniel: “Why Do We Try?” carries such a bittersweet emotional weight from beginning to end. What was it about this character’s story in The Fall of the Final Curtain that connected with you on such a deep personal level?
Ferdinand Rennie: YOU COULD ALSO COMPARE THIS STORY TO EACH OF US LOOKING BACK IN LIFE WHEN WE KNOW SOME THINGS ARE OUT THERE YOU CAN’T CHANGE AND HAVE TO EXCEPT LIVE IS BEAUTIFUL AND EVEN IN SAD TIMES, THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT ON THE HORIZON….
Daniel: The song explores the fear of losing something meaningful and never finding it again. Did recording this track bring back memories of any moments in your own career where you faced uncertainty or emotional transition?
Ferdinand Rennie: Oh YES I have lost many loved ones over the years, so when recording it, I ve got very emotional – but it also helped me to transfer my emotions in the storytelling of the song.
Daniel: There’s a theatrical vulnerability in the way the lyrics unfold, especially in moments where the character questions purpose, passion, and legacy. Were there any specific lyrical lines that instantly stood out to you the first time you heard the song?
Ferdinand Rennie: THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Daniel: This song feels deeply reflective for performers and creatives who dedicate their lives to the stage. What message do you hope listeners, especially artists struggling with self-doubt or change, take away from “Why Do We Try?”
Ferdinand Rennie: WE ALL HAVE TO LEARN THROUGHOUT LIVE AND LOOKING BACK, WHAT DIDN’T KILL US MADE US MUCH STRONGER
Daniel: The emotional delivery throughout the song feels almost cinematic, balancing heartbreak with resilience. How important was it for you to preserve that emotional realism rather than simply focusing on vocal perfection?
Ferdinand Rennie: WHEN I AM RECORDING A SONG, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS, TO FEEL IT, THE STORY AND I TRY TO TAKE OVER THIS EMOTIONS THIS IS HOW I LEARNED MYSELF BACK THEN TO LISTEN TO MUSIC AND WHAT MADE ME FEEL IT.
Daniel: “Why Do We Try?” has the atmosphere of a grand theatrical ballad. What conversations did you, Michael Andrew Storm, Meg McAndrew, Sefi Carmel, and Alan Vukelic have about the sonic direction before recording began?
Ferdinand Rennie: AS THEY ALL KNOW ME VERY WELL I WANTED THEM TO MAKE IT BIG DRAMA THEATRICAL LIKE, WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LISTEN TO THE SONG, YOU CAN SEE THE PERSON ON STAGE TELLING YOU HIS STORY…
Daniel: Your vocal performance gradually builds in intensity throughout the song. How did you approach pacing the emotion and dynamics so the climax would feel authentic and earned?
Ferdinand Rennie: I NEVER HAD SONG TEACHING LESSIONS, JUST LOVE TO SING AND THIS IS THE GOOD THING OF GETTING OLDER, LIKE THE RIPING OF A WINE – AS I STILL WANT TO BE AN ARTIST FOR MANY YEARS I AM PRACTISING A LOT TO DELIVER A SONG
Daniel: Coming from such a strong musical theatre background, how do you balance theatrical expression with modern recording techniques when creating studio music like this?
Ferdinand Rennie: IT IS INTERESTING AS WHEN I STARTED RECORDING BACK IN THE 80’S IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT – THIS DAYS IT IS MUCH EASIER, TO WORK TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PRODUCE A BALLAD LIKE WHY DO WE TRY?
Daniel: You’ve interpreted iconic songs like Hallelujah, Run, and Never Enough. How has performing emotionally demanding material over the years influenced your confidence as a storyteller?
Ferdinand Rennie: THIS SONGS WERE VERY INFLUENTIAL AND I HAD TO RECORD THEM AND PUT MY OWN STAMP ON IT, AS I REALLY LOVE THEM.
Daniel: Your catalog includes powerful ballads like Unbelieving Eyes and Chase The Sun. In what ways do you think your artistry has evolved emotionally and vocally between those releases and “Why Do We Try?”
Ferdinand Rennie: This are just different songs, depends on songwriting, mood – message ….
Daniel: Musical theatre often demands emotional transparency from performers. Has there ever been a role or performance in your career that permanently changed the way you view music and human emotion?
Ferdinand Rennie: I loved singing the AUDREY 2 part in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS as I could concentrate 100% on singing backstage – so I found tones and notes myself I was never aware of before – also singing PILATUS in a JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR concert – changed a lot of me…
Daniel: You’ve experienced television appearances, live galas, theatre productions, and international recognition. After achieving so much already, what still motivates you creatively today?
Ferdinand Rennie: I JUST LOVE MUSIC AND TO SING, SO HOPEFULLY I WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR SOME MORE YEARS
Daniel: Looking back at your journey from Austria to international stages and major performances, what advice would you give younger artists who are trying to remain resilient in such a demanding industry?
Ferdinand Rennie: JUST GO AND LIVE YOUR DREAM, EVEN THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING, BUT GREAT TALENT AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE WILL ALWAYS BE NUMER ONE!
Daniel: Since the release of “Why Do We Try?”, what kinds of reactions or messages from listeners have touched you the most personally?
Ferdinand Rennie: I have recieved very emotional response and fans really love it!
Daniel: Your music often resonates strongly with audiences who appreciate emotional sincerity and theatrical storytelling. Why do you think listeners continue to connect so deeply with vulnerable ballads like this one?
Ferdinand Rennie: I THINK THIS IS CONNECTION TO OUR SOULS WHAT REALLY MAKES US FEEL MUSIC
Daniel: With “Why Do We Try?” introducing listeners to another emotionally rich chapter of your artistry, are there plans for more music connected to The Fall of the Final Curtain or perhaps even a larger conceptual project in the future?
Ferdinand Rennie: Oh, I will release in the next days my new ballad, THIS IS NOW – from the musical LOVING by Andrew Michael Storm & Meg McAndrew, Another big ballad, very emotional, but different to WHY DO WE TRY?
Daniel: As you continue evolving as both a recording artist and performer, what can fans expect from Ferdinand Rennie in the coming months, and what personal goals are you still hoping to accomplish in your musical journey?
Ferdinand Rennie: The release of my new ALBUM – with 1 more song to be finished hopefully it will be released in autumn 2026 – and then of course I would love to be in the charts on TV in in many listeners hearts with my music…….
Daniel: Your music often resonates strongly with audiences who appreciate emotional sincerity and theatrical storytelling. Why do you think listeners continue to connect so deeply with vulnerable ballads like this one?
Ferdinand Rennie: I THINK THIS IS CONNECTION TO OUR SOULS WHAT REALLY MAKES US FEEL MUSIC.
Having Experienced The Emotional Weight And Theatrical Depth Of This Reflective Ballad, Here’s My Thought.
Ferdinand Rennie’s “Why Do We Try?” unfolds like the emotional climax of a stage production where applause has already begun fading, yet the soul of the performer refuses to leave the spotlight behind. What immediately captivated me was the song’s ability to transform vulnerability into narrative power without ever sounding forced or theatrically excessive. Rennie’s vocal performance carries the emotional architecture of the track with remarkable control, beginning in a restrained and reflective space before gradually expanding into moments of aching intensity that feel earned rather than manufactured. The emotional progression within his delivery mirrors the lyrical journey perfectly, moving from uncertainty and exhaustion into a painful but determined acceptance of endurance. Lyrically, the song is devastating in its honesty, confronting the uncomfortable paradox of persistence in a world where endings are inevitable. Questions like “What is the use? Why do we hope?” strike with unusual weight because they are presented without easy answers, while the recurring emotional undercurrent of “The show must go on” transforms from cliché into existential truth. Thematically, the track explores the collapse of identity that can occur when purpose, recognition, and performance become inseparable, making the final bow of the character feel symbolic of far more than the ending of a show. Musically, the orchestration is sweeping and cinematic, driven by elegant piano foundations, rising string arrangements, and carefully controlled percussion that steadily intensifies the emotional pressure without overpowering the storytelling. The blend of orchestral textures with modern cinematic production creates an atmosphere that feels simultaneously intimate and grand, allowing the song to function both as a personal confession and a theatrical statement. The production’s dynamic range is particularly striking, giving the arrangement room to breathe so every emotional rise carries impact and every quiet moment feels heavy with reflection. Altogether, “Why Do We Try?” is a deeply narrative-driven ballad that understands the beauty of unresolved emotion, capturing the fragile space between despair and perseverance with a level of sincerity that lingers long after the final note fades.
~ Daniel (Dulaxi Team).
Finally to our audience, I urge to listen to “Why Do We Try?”, add it to your playlist and be inspired by it and on behalf of Dulaxi I like to appreciate you all by saying thank you everyone, See you on our next interview.
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