Denise Sherwood ‘Let Me In’ out 12tn Aug on DSP’s Radio Impact 16/10/2020 ON-U Sound Records
Interview conducted on September 01, 2020
By Dan Locke
This is the 2nd and main single from ‘This Road’ – the debut LP by one-to-watch Denise Sherwood, which features writing, production and instrumental contributions from Adrian Sherwood, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mala, Mark Stewart, Skip McDonald and Doug Wimbish.
Denise You are the daughter of ON=U Sound founder Adrian Sherwood. What was your upbringing like?
It was unique growing up in a house surrounded by musicians and creatives, there was a lot of energy and colour and bass
How did you discover, that you wanted to do music?
I have always enjoyed singing and was offered great opportunities to join the slits and do the fairytale of the New York tour for example, but I chose a professional life away from music. Now I choose to release music because I want to share and connect more with my singing and writing. I like it this way in the online domain. There’s less pressure. I never enjoyed getting on a stage and I wasn’t driven enough to make it a career. But I have always sang and loved singing and feel now is the beginning of stepping into a singer/writer role professionally perhaps.
How did you start to write music?
At home trying to express and release feelings I was struggling to manage. It was fun and felt good so I haven’t stopped trying since. I used to read my mums poetry books such as Keats, Plath and Dickinson and re write my own versions. I like incorporating old English words and trying to express myself in songs as a lady from some other time, I think.
What was your first performance like?
Terrifying. I was 16 on a dub sound system in Poland and I was so overwhelmed and felt so out of place I drank loads and stumbled through.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Babies having babies, yes, I did. the chorus was ‘she’s just a baby having a baby, school girl trying to be a lady’. There was quite a bit of teenage pregnancy going on. The hook line melody was nice.
I believe it has been over 5 years since you released “Soon Come”
What can you tell me about that recording session?
It’s been 17 years since I first recorded it and it was a lot of fun
Tell me about your album “This Road”
It’s a series of observations and moments felt along the way told over span of 17 years. It’s a collaboration with my dad, its personal, its giving ideas a go. It’s out in October but you can pre order it on my band camp page on vinyl and CD and they look really beautiful. You should check it out
Tell me the backstory behind the single “Music shall live”
Old poetry cut up and edited rejoicing in the eternal power music has in holding hope and love and all we need to feel alive no matter what! Lee Scratch Perry blesses the track with great words too. It’s one of his best moments of recent in my opinion.
What is your favorite track on the album?
“Let me in” because I’ve just made an amazing video for it and it given the track whole new depth and meaning. It’s about addiction but addiction to avoiding yourself and being with your experiences. We set it up like a plant medicine trip in a way. Check it out
What are your feelings about streaming music?
So much out there it can be overwhelming but more opportunity for the artist in everyone to be expressed maybe
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl. Analogue. Real people with real instruments in a room together at the same time.
Tell me about your home studio?
Vintage, analogue
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Joni Mitchell Woodstock. because it reminds me of how small we are in a huge universe whilst honoring the magnitude and depth of each person’s journey at the same time
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Working online, taking care of my child, working on the album release campaign, talking, eating, avoiding the news mostly
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I have been drinking more red wine
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
Releasing my album and being engaged on social media within that process is enough for me for now. I’m sharing recorded content of songs and I’ve made several music videos for viewing also. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I’m up for being a hologram
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