June 3, 2025 • 41 mins
Finding Community Through Music & Authenticity with Denitia | Just Keep Talking Podcast
All Links to Show & Brother Love Here:
https://linktr.ee/brotherloverocks
In this episode of the Just Keep Talking podcast, host Brother Love delves into the life and creative process of singer-songwriter Denitia. They discuss the impact of mental health on creativity, the importance of inclusivity and connection, and the ways in which music can serve as a transcendent and grounding force. Denitia shares her journey from growing up in a small refinery town outside of Houston, studying Art History at Vanderbilt, to her immersive experiences in New York City's music scene. The conversation touches on Denitia’s recent move back to Nashville, her involvement in community-driven efforts such as Together In Action, and the creation of her 2022 album 'Highways' which reflects a return to nature and a more organic sound. Through laughter, shared stories, and profound insights, Brother Love and Denitia explore what it means to live authentically and the power of music to foster community and belonging.
#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicjournalism #musicianlife #beseen #beheard #belong #denitia #blackopry #brotherlove #justkeeptalking
00:00 Introduction to Just Keep Talking Podcast
01:10 Technical Difficulties and Personal Stories
03:07 Denitia's Musical Journey
06:21 Navigating Identity and Diversity
10:09 Community and Integrity in Music
21:47 Childhood Memories and Gun Culture
22:08 Special Session and Public Outcry
23:55 Music and Mental Health
25:44 Art History and Musical Journey
29:46 Nature and New Beginnings
33:22 Americana Fest and Upcoming Events
36:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Brother Love (00:00):
Telling our stories is the connective tissue of the
collective human experience.
The Just Keep Talking podcast delvesinto the lives and stories of artists.
What is the impact ofmental health on creativity?
What does it mean to bea creative individual?
Someone who feels deeply, experiencesjoy and pain, intensely and
navigates the challenges of lifethrough the creative process.
(00:21):
With each story shared, we explore theauthentic experience of our basic need
to be seen, to be heard, and to belong.
We are really not so differentfrom one another, nor are we alone.
Together we can inspire, encourage, andenlighten each other to find the true joy
and fulfillment that is within ourselves.
When we Just Keep Talking, we create thespace for gratitude, self-acceptance,
(00:46):
and grace in everyday life.
In a world filled with divisiveness,fostering inclusivity and connection is
a powerful way to make a positive impact.
The Just Keep Talking podcast with me,Brother Love, because Your Story Matters.
Denitia (01:27):
I.
Brother Love (01:39):
That is Denitia my guest this week, taking us home with Jackson
Recorded live during 2023's AmericanaFest, hosted by yours truly, my band,
Them Vibes at the Basement East, righthere in East Nashville, Tennessee.
We recorded this interviewback in August of 2023.
I had just met Denitia at an eventand I was instantly attracted to her
authenticity and magnanimous presence.
(02:01):
Denitia has intention.
Her intention is to create beautifulart, and her method is to live
in the moment being present andmindful of her natural surroundings.
Her true calling, her true nature,if you will, is in Country Music.
Since this interview, Denitiahas released a follow-up record
called Sunset Drive in 2024.
Denitia was named anArtist To Watch by NPR.
(02:23):
Has been named 2024 CMT, NextWoman of Country, and a 2024 Artist
To Watch by the Nashville Scene.
She's toured extensivelywith the Black Opry Review.
Been invited to perform at theNational Museum of African American
Music and the Country Music Hallof Fame and museum in Nashville.
Denitia has shared stages with JasonIsbell, Amythyst Kiah, Wendy Moton, Joy
(02:44):
Oladokun among many, many other artists.
I hope you enjoy getting to knowher as much as I have The Just Keep
Talking podcast with me, Brother
Love, because Your Story Matters.
Larry (02:56):
I'm here with Denitia, my new friend Denitia.
Denitia (02:58):
Hi.
Larry (02:59):
I'm your new friend.
We're friends.
Denitia (03:01):
Yeah.
it's true.
Larry (03:02):
I just will say that we recorded something last week and it did not
take and for any of those who deal withtechnology, especially in our world.
I don't know if you've ever experiencedrecording a song, working on
something, especially back in the day.
Now, things back up, right?
We have backup, backup,
backup.
Denitia (03:20):
We have backups to the backup.
Larry (03:21):
I remember my first record, 2004 in New York City, and I had done
the best vocal take I had ever done.
Like, it was a delicate song.
Denitia (03:32):
Sure.
Larry (03:32):
It was delicate, and I remember going home that night thinking, I really
sang that song the way I envisioned it.
And I felt wonderful.
And the next day I come into the studioand my buddy who was a producer said,
Hey, so you ready to redo that song?
And I said, are you kidding me?
Well, we redid it.
I had a bit of a breakdownafter we met last week, Denitia.
(03:54):
I had a breakdown.
I had a serious breakdown becausethe technology didn't work.
I had just met you.
You're so honest.
You were so wonderful.
Denitia (04:02):
Thanks.
Larry (04:02):
And I thought, I am a piece of crap.
My life, my whole day.
Do you know what I did that day?
I'm not kidding.
So I went home, my wife had work, shewas playing drums, and I went home that
day, and I ate a whole frozen pizza.
Denitia (04:18):
Oh!
Larry (04:19):
Yeah, and I ate ice cream, I watched a documentary, it
was called Hitler The Career.
Denitia (04:24):
Wow!!!
Larry (04:25):
Yeah, I watched, so I love World War II.
Denitia (04:28):
Right.
Larry (04:28):
I love everything about it.
I will watch everythingabout World War 2, I mean.
I know how it ends, right?
I just thought, you know what,if I listen to Hitler, a whole
story about Hitler, I'm like, Lifecan't get worse than this, right?
Denitia (04:40):
Sure...
Larry (04:41):
Whatever my problems are, are no match for the Holocaust.
Denitia (04:45):
Of course.
Larry (04:45):
I figured, okay, I feel, my life's not too bad, right?
And just part of your grace, was thatimmediately after we recorded, You
said, hey, we can just do it again.
Denitia (04:54):
Sure.
Larry (04:55):
That was just so caring and gracious, and I thank you.
And so here we are,we're here with Denitia.
Denitia (04:59):
We're here.
Larry (05:00):
You're an incredible singer songwriter.
Denitia (05:02):
Thank you.
Larry (05:03):
You are welcome.
Thank you.
Would you call yourself a, areyou in the genre of Country Music?
Denitia (05:09):
I would say that I swim in and through and around
the genre of Country Music.
You know, this particular genre iskind of tricky because when I think
of country music, I'm thinking ofmore of a Classic Country, kind of
from the mid century into the 90s.
But I realized that the genre of CountryMusic has evolved a lot into more of a Pop
(05:31):
vibe in terms of what people are callingCountry and what's on Country Radio.
So we thank God for the Americanagenre and the people who are kind
of feeding life into that and sortof like fostering that community.
So I think that Americanaand Country sort of fit.
Larry (05:50):
Yeah, they absolutely do.
This is a quote of yours (05:52):
"Country music has been so formative to me as an artist.
It was my first notion ofwhat a great song is, what
beautiful, music sounds like.
What it means to me, is thepurest anchor of a human being
communicating their story".
I tripped over my words becauseif you see my handwriting, I look
(06:12):
like I should have been a doctor.
That's what everybody says.
You really should have been a doctor.
Denitia (06:15):
Can you write scripts?
Larry (06:16):
No,
Denitia (06:17):
I'm just joking.
Larry (06:17):
No, but my father would wish for, please lord, let him go be a doctor.
You could still go back to school.
Denitia (06:22):
Yeah.
Larry (06:23):
Okay, dad.
I'll go back to school.
I just want to just to see him pay for it.
Hey dad, guess what?
Dream came true.
I'm going to medical school.
What?
Denitia (06:32):
Here's the bill.
Larry (06:33):
Right, right.
Sorry about your heart attack.
Actually, I can help you, dad.
Denitia (06:36):
Oh my god.
Larry (06:36):
I'm not going.
I'm still a musician.
You grew up in Houston?
Denitia (06:39):
I grew up around Houston.
Larry (06:40):
Around Houston,
Denitia (06:41):
Yes.
In the outskirts of Houstonin small refinery towns, about
an hour outside of the city.
Larry (06:46):
Yeah.
Nashville's not new to you.
Denitia (06:47):
I am new to this version of Nashville.
This certainly wasn'there when I lived here.
I mean, I moved away like 12 ish yearsago, and the city rapidly changed.
So, it does feel kind of newto me, even though, at the
same time, it feels like home.
Larry (07:02):
When did you spend time in Nashville?
Denitia (07:04):
Yeah, I went to school here.
I graduated when I was 16 and I moved
here to go to Vanderbilt.
Then after I graduated, Ilived here for about six years.
So because I was so young whenI got to Nashville, it feels
like I partially grew up here.
Larry (07:19):
You did something that's what I think everybody should do if they
can, is you went to the Big City.
You went to New York and Brooklyn.
Denitia (07:25):
Yeah,
I was in it.
Larry (07:26):
I've heard some of the music you recorded during that time
Denitia (07:29):
Sure
Larry (07:30):
And it definitely has a flavor Yeah, it does Of a little
bit more of a just grittier, darker.
Denitia (07:35):
Yeah,
Larry (07:35):
In 2020 You did a song called "Nowhere", right?
Denitia (07:38):
Oh, right.
Yes.
I did that with my friendQuantic that was a collaboration.
I just featured on a track with him.
Larry (07:44):
That's later on in your city days...
Denitia (07:45):
Right...
Larry (07:46):
But obviously a culmination of you being there, so...
Denitia (07:48):
Absolutely.
Larry (07:49):
Could you say fairly that you're more of a well rounded person?
You know, the Houston area, Nashville,New York, back to Nashville.
What does it feel like?
Do you feel like a superhero?
Like, you have powers.
You have way more powers.
You have powers youdon't even know you have.
You have eyes everywhere.
You have sight, but you havenot just sight, my friend.
You have Vision.
Denitia (08:10):
Ah, yeah.
Larry (08:11):
And I hear it in your music, which we'll get to.
Denitia (08:12):
That's cool.
Larry (08:13):
But seeing all of these different angles, especially,
you are a woman of color.
Denitia (08:18):
Mm.
Larry (08:18):
You are gay?
Queer?
Denitia (08:20):
Queer.
Larry (08:20):
Queer.
Is that the right thing to say?
Denitia (08:22):
Sure.
Larry (08:22):
Again, I don't know things.
Denitia (08:24):
You're good.
Larry (08:24):
Good.
Thank you.
So, we were talking about thislast time, I come from New York
City, the great melting pot.
We're all there.
And especially in Queens thatborough of Queens where I
grew up, everybody was there.
And I think wow, I'm so blessed withbeing well rounded, you know what I mean?
It doesn't mean the person next to mewasn't completely racist, you know?
And doesn't mean they weren't completelya jerk and just closed minded...
(08:46):
but everybody was there.
Denitia (08:49):
Yeah.
Larry (08:49):
And we got along.
To this day
if I need something from one of myfriends growing up no matter what
color no matter what their sexualityno matter what is I wouldn't hesitate
to call they wouldn't hesitate to call.
It's not even a thought.
Denitia (09:00):
Right...
Larry (09:00):
Now it's all a thought.
Now you know what?
I could really use a I could usesomebody of color right now in my
world It's just a stupid world.
We live in.
Denitia (09:09):
I wouldn't say it's stupid.
I think
Larry (09:10):
Really?
Denitia (09:11):
Yes, I think there has to be some course correction for people who haven't
thought about diversifying their lives, ortheir workplaces, or their art, and people
that are in power have sort of benefitedfrom the status quo perpetuating,
the promotion and the benefit ofwhite males in American culture.
(09:36):
So that I think that now, like I said,there's a bit of a course correction
that needs to happen where we have tokind of reach beyond the status quo
and say, Hey, there are people who arecapable and have amazing perspective,
intelligent, creative, artistic,that we need to reach beyond the
things that we've been reaching for.
And diversify our lives in our worlds.
(09:59):
So I think that it's important forus to think and talk about ethnicity,
nationality, race, sexuality.
Because if we don't, we are deciding tobe willfully ignorant of the beautiful
diversity that we live amongst.
Larry (10:16):
Yeah
Denitia (10:17):
So I think that it's actually remarkable that people are losing
this Illusion of being Colorblind?
Because I'd like for youto to not be Colorblind.
I'd like for you to see mefor all the things that I am.
Larry (10:29):
Yeah,
Denitia (10:30):
We talked about this last time.
And I would like to see you for all thethings that you are and that's wonderful!
Larry (10:34):
What I was getting at with the whole thing in New York is is that now
I look at New York and I see swastikas.
You know, I see the racism I see peopledon't want to have anything to do with
anything other than the status quo...
White male, you know, hey, it's beenworking this long, let's go with it.
And obviously, that's you knowinsane because it just hasn't
been working for more people,
Denitia (10:53):
It hasn't worked yet, actually.
Larry (10:54):
You're right
Denitia (10:55):
Our society hasn't really worked yet.
Larry (10:57):
Yeah, that's interesting.
Denitia (10:58):
I grew up around people who are very unlike me...
I went to private Christianschools and I was usually one of like
maybe two or three black kids in myschool and in my church at the time.
So I've always gotten this the benefitof kind of seeing things from other
people's perspective, and I value that.
(11:21):
So I didn't grow up around peoplewho are exactly like me and
then I was never challenged onthe way that I see the world?
You asked me if I feel empowered andI feel that my mission is just to
put beautiful music into the worldthat moves people while being myself.
I don't have any agenda other than tocreate music that is beautiful to me and
(11:46):
to be a part of a Community, where I canenjoy other people's art and just share
the moment of loving music and lovingculture and loving art with other people.
That's really my only agenda.
Larry (12:01):
We met at an event at Vinyl Lab.
You seem very secure.
And I saw you and I wasso attracted to you.
I just said what is itabout this person, you know?
And we just spoke and then we hadthe New York thing, and we just found
out we're both Libras which is cool.
Denitia (12:16):
We love that
Larry (12:17):
But like you are so attractive, and that is powerful because I realize now is
that you are comfortable in your own skin.
You just you know who you are.
Did you always have this?
Did you find yourself sort ofprimping and posing growing up?
Because I know for me I've beentap dancing my whole frickin life.
(12:39):
Performing, pleasing, and proving.
I can be whatever you want meto be because I'm great at that.
I am.
Denitia (12:47):
Yeah, totally.
Larry (12:47):
I'm funny,
I'm serious.
Thank you.
And by the way, I was a great
partier Oh my god, Let mebuy the round my friend!!!
Denitia (12:54):
You're probably really good.
Larry (12:56):
I was the best.
Denitia (12:57):
Yeah.
Larry (12:57):
Oh, please.
There's a plaque everywhere!
You go into any bar in the worldBrother Love, Yeah, that's right.
Yeah, his money was no good here.
Because as long as he broughtthat party, the party came.
Denitia (13:10):
huh.
Larry (13:10):
I drank for everybody.
I had a great time.
And I quit drinking And I was afraid.
Could I be funny?
Could I be serious?
Could I be, could I even sing?
I've been trying to fit in.
Put a mask on here.
I'll change my mask there.
Denitia (13:24):
Yeah.
Larry (13:24):
I'm going to this party.
I'll put that mask on.
Denitia (13:27):
Right.
Larry (13:27):
I didn't realize that I was just chasing some phantom
that I made up, as opposed to thefeeling of belonging, you know.
Did you ever growing up or in your,travels, did you encounter the
fact that like, wow, this isn't me?
Why am I doing this?
Did that ever occur to you?
Denitia (13:44):
Totally.
Well, I will attribute a lot of mysensibility to the way that I grew up.
I was raised by just real honesthard working people that are faithful
and thoughtful and conscientious.
(14:04):
So There was a lot that was pouredinto me as an only child as well.
Some of my first experiencesperforming and being on stage, and I
say performing with air quotes, wasin church when I was leading praise
and worship at my Christian school.
Larry (14:20):
You were leading?
Denitia (14:21):
Yes.
Larry (14:22):
Wow.
Denitia (14:22):
It was like me and, you know, other young people and we
had our little band and we had ourcharts and we were playing songs
and those were my first experiences.
on stage.
So I really value that and I'veonly really started to realize this
recently, I really value that becausemusic was like being part of something
greater than myself, greater thanyou, greater than all of us and we
(14:44):
were in service of something else.
And that has always been a compass for me.
Even when I didn't know it.
It's like, am I inservice of something else?
Because I really view music as somethingTranscendent Spiritual and not like
in a woo woo way that the music hasto be woo woo, but like it just zaps
you into the present moment and itbrings people together that are from
(15:09):
all different walks of life, differentbelief systems, different everything.
And then we're just like in this momenttogether, whether I'm in the audience
or listening to records or performing.
That's like one of myfavorite parts about music.
So I think that I have, at sometimes in my career and in my life,
strayed away from that, and thenit instantaneously feels wrong.
(15:32):
It feels off and wrong.
I haven't always instantly gotten backon the right track, but it has led me to
think like, Oh, why does this feel so off?
And it's like, Oh, becauseI'm Being Self Serving.
Larry (15:45):
Hmmm.
laughing
Denitia (15:47):
laughing
Larry (15:50):
You know, the truth really is funny when you hear it like that.
Oh, yeah.
I knew it was off, because my ego wasjust running through, but it's so true.
Denitia (15:58):
Yes.
And when I align myself with theintention of just being in a moment
with people and acknowledge and realizethe power of music whether I'm the one
making the music, or I'm listening.
Then I'm just on the right track.
Larry (16:14):
Yeah, that's amazing.
Denitia (16:16):
I'm lined up
Larry (16:17):
That's amazing.
Good for you.
And kudos to you.
I hope I get to meet your folks.
Denitia (16:22):
Oh yeah, that'd be really cool.
Larry (16:23):
That'd be great.
Denitia (16:24):
That'd be awesome.
Larry (16:24):
I love all foods, Probably lactose intolerant, but what Jewish kid isn't?
You know what I mean?
I'm just setting it up.
Denitia (16:29):
Sure.
Larry (16:30):
You know what I mean?
I won't be offended if they put alittle Manischewitz on the table.
I'll be like, oh, that's okay, thanks.
That's church wine.
Denitia (16:35):
Oh yeah, it's fine to drink.
Larry (16:36):
Exactly.
So, I've been reading The Powerof Now, Eckhart Tolle, And
it's exactly what you just said.
I was on a gig last night, and we wereperforming, there was some issues.
It was like, it was a verybroke down kind of cool.
It was at Brown's Diner.
Denitia (16:49):
I know Brown's
Larry (16:50):
And now it's has a little bit of a facelift in the way
that management has changed.
So it's like a trailer with likea little of restaurant attached.
Denitia (16:57):
Yeah,
Larry (16:57):
The servers, they're 180 years old each.
They serve amazing regular hamburgers,cheeseburgers, nothing fancy.
Denitia (17:04):
It
Larry (17:04):
sounds good right now.
Cheap, good.
beer and just great.
It's a neighborhood Nashville spot andthey just had music there all the time.
Them Vibes we have a couple of showsthis week, instead of paying for
rehearsal time, we book a live rehearsal.
Denitia (17:18):
That's Rad!
Larry (17:19):
Just book a free gig whatever.
So we were in the zone of like wehad a new a bass player that's just
not as comfortable with the material.
Denitia (17:26):
Yeah...
Larry (17:26):
He's just newer.
Denitia (17:28):
He needs to shed,
Larry (17:29):
It was a rehearsal, but it was a gig.
So I use a delay pedal.
Technology, not my friend, Thisstupid frickin pedal, I swear I wanna
throw this thing through a wall.
They had an original pedal,and everything worked great.
And then they had, like, the secondcoming of it, the, you know, the, right?
Denitia (17:45):
Oh, sure, the 2.
0.
Larry (17:46):
Guess what, folks?
Sometimes 1.0
is enough.
Denitia (17:49):
Yep, yep.
The sequel's not always the jam.
Larry (17:51):
The sequel is not the jam.
This stupid thing, literallyjust craps the bed.
And I've called them.
I say, I need to find one.
Denitia (17:59):
What pedal is that?
Larry (18:00):
It's a TC Helicon.
Denitia (18:01):
I was gonna say...
Larry (18:02):
It's a TC Helicon, Doctor...
Denitia (18:04):
The digital joint?
Larry (18:05):
All it does is digital delay and reverb, but it's a foot pedal.
And if I want a tempo for a delay,delay, delay, you know, I just
tap my foot and it goes la la la.
Denitia (18:17):
Yeah.
Larry (18:17):
But you set it and then it doesn't engage and it doesn't
disengage when you want it.
The light just does whatever it wants.
The battery went out andsomebody else's thing.
Like we had issues last night, right?
And there's people that are like, whoa!!!
People that haven't seen ourband in like eight years.
The band is such a great band, you know,and we're a collective of, of friends
that play with each other and all that.
(18:38):
And all of a sudden in the moment,my pedal's crapping out, we
have an issue with this sound.
My wife's kick drum pedalbroke off real quick.
This is all within 45 minutes...
Denitia (18:46):
That's a lot of different things man.
Larry (18:48):
My point is it's very hard to be in the moment.
Denitia (18:50):
Yeah,
Larry (18:51):
I did though.
I did.
I I did Denitia!
I Somehow didn't let it spiral me.
I didn't let it get a holdof me the way it always has.
Where I would just say, this sucks.
I'm having a terrible timeand I'm going to blame.
Now I heard your mistake.
Now I heard my mistake.
Denitia (19:08):
Yeah.
Larry (19:09):
Now this sucks and all of it's crap.
Denitia (19:11):
Yeah.
Larry (19:12):
And I just looked out and everybody was smiling.
Denitia (19:14):
Yeah, they're having a great time.
Larry (19:15):
Everybody was having a great.
Then we found our groove because I thinkcollectively we all just decided this is
nothing this is sweating the small stuff.
Denitia (19:23):
Yeah...
Larry (19:24):
And I was so happy.
And I was happy that I was happy because
Denitia (19:27):
That's so cool.
Larry (19:28):
I was back in the moment...
Denitia (19:29):
Yeah.
Larry (19:29):
It's taken a lifetime to say "Just Stay Right Here"
- Because the issues, theproblems, the worries, are all
about the past or the future.
Right?
Denitia (19:37):
Yeah.
Larry (19:37):
I'm pissed about what happened in the past.
Denitia (19:39):
And you're worried about what's about to happen.
Larry (19:41):
Yeah.
Denitia (19:41):
Uh huh.
Larry (19:42):
There's no room in the present moment.
Denitia (19:45):
You're gonna miss your whole life like that, man.
Larry (19:46):
Yeah.
And I've spent so much timeof life that I've missed.
Denitia (19:49):
Yeah.
Larry (19:50):
You know,
Denitia (19:50):
I know
Larry (19:51):
It's insane.
I'm so tired right now.
My god.
Brené Brown.
Denitia (19:55):
Yes!
Larry (19:55):
Has been like My life saver.
If I could meet her.
I would throw all thepanties, like a Rock Star.
She's like a rock, she'sRobert Plant to me.
Denitia (20:03):
Yeah,
Larry (20:03):
She's Paul McCartney to me.
She saved my life.
And she speaks about WholeheartedLiving and this reminded me of you.
It's about Integrity.
And it's from Rising Strong.
Page 123, Brené Brown:
"Integrity is choosingcourage over comfort.
Choosing what is right overwhat is fun, fast, or easy.
And choosing to practice our valuesrather than simply professing them."
(20:26):
You strike me as all of that.
Integrity is so important.
Denitia (20:31):
That's
Larry (20:31):
cool.
It is cool.
you've been doing some thingsrecently that I'd like to talk
about which has to do with yourintegrity, you did Together In Action.
Denitia (20:40):
Oh yeah...
Larry (20:40):
A fundraiser last week.
It was you a good buddynamed Chris Hausman.
Denitia (20:44):
Yeah,
Larry (20:44):
Who I just interviewed as well.
Devin Gilfillian.
I interviewed as well.
He's great.
Jason Isbell.
Maybe one day?
Julie Williams.
What was that like?
And what was it?
Denitia (20:54):
Some friends of mine got together, and the story goes that
they were just kind of all sittingaround the kitchen table and
thinking like, what are we gonna do?
Like, how do we make change?
We gotta do something, and thesefriends of mine are the people that run
the Black Opry, which is a collectiveof Black Artists in Americana,
Country, Folk, and Blues music.
(21:15):
And alongside Autumn Nicholas, whois an incredible Singer Songwriter,
also based here they came upwith this idea, to have a show.
A benefit at City Winery, where we wouldhave lots of artists playing and raise
money to donate to Moms Demand Action,an organization working to prevent gun
(21:37):
violence in our state and nationwide.
In the aftermath of the CovenantSchool shooting, a lot of people
have been just getting into action.
Larry (21:47):
Yeah.
Denitia (21:47):
So part of the conversation has been that it's unfortunate that
we have to do that and have theseconversations, but the reality
is that that's what's happening.
And, the show was incredible!
It was beautiful.
I mean, City Winery is such agorgeous venue and it's just really
nice and elevated and $20,000 wereraised that night to donate to
(22:09):
Moms Demand Action so that theycan continue their incredible work.
And some of them, you know, they'reparents so they are feeling this every
day, this fear and they're engaged withthe Community to stop senseless violence
especially yeah towards our children.
So it was an incredible night of music.
The Community thingfor me is so important.
(22:31):
And I'm just so blessed to bea part of the Nashville Music
Community especially because Ijust moved back a few months ago...
Larry (22:37):
Yeah...
Denitia (22:38):
So it was an amazing Community action night.
Larry (22:41):
I think that that is so beautiful and the fact that you were invited.
I don't know Jason Isbell personally.
But I am absolutely aware of him...
Denitia (22:51):
Right...
Larry (22:51):
And what he stands for and who he is because he has
Integrity and he has Character.
Denitia (22:55):
Yes...
Larry (22:56):
Not one of you are patting yourselves on the back for such a brave,
brave thing that you're doing, you know?
That's the part of thiswhole conversation...
Aren't we just wonderful whatwe're doing for the people?
You know, for those people??
Denitia (23:11):
Sure.
Larry (23:12):
You understand that this is a responsibility.
Your voice is being heard, your songsand your music but also your character.
You come back and you're being invitedto do these things Thank you for doing
that and thank you for being so open.
I have friends and they just patthemselves on the back and they
high five and they raise the money.
Yeah, here's $20,000.
Look at us.
Aren't we great?
Denitia (23:29):
Right,
Larry (23:30):
You know, but this work continues and continues right now.
We are in a special session,
Denitia (23:34):
Right
Larry (23:34):
In Nashville and nothing is getting done.
I mean, look, I didn't grow up with guns.
I just didn't.
Like, we had a friend down the street,my mother would say, she smoked.
So everything was like, "Larry, we don'twant you hanging out with Mark Silberman,
because his parents has all the guns."
And I was afraid, guns, ooh, ow, you know.
But then I moved out of mylittle bubble of New York City.
Denitia (23:55):
Right.
Larry (23:55):
And everybody's got guns.
It's part, you know, fine.
I'm not taking your guns.
I don't care.
Denitia (23:59):
Totally.
Larry (23:59):
So, I appreciate that The Governor brought this special
session in, but it's, all just,
Denitia (24:05):
It might just be for show?
Larry (24:06):
Exactly, that's what it is.
It's for show.
They're taking people out of the sessionbecause they're holding up signs.
People are yelling.
If you look at courts inEngland, which is by the way, a
lot older than America, right?
The Parliament, they yell in Parliament.
People are screaming and yellingtheir opinions, that's part of it,
because their voices are being heard.
(24:27):
Now you have parents, mothers, fathers,with signs, holding up, Not One More Kid.
All of the pain and hurtjust, What's a sign, right?
It's a sign.
Denitia (24:35):
It's just a sign.
Larry (24:35):
It's just a sign.
We're here.
We're an American population.
Denitia (24:40):
Right.
Larry (24:41):
And they're being thrown out.
I know.
They're not heard.
They're not seen.
Denitia (24:44):
Over new rules that they're just making up on the spot, which
isn't the way it's supposed to work.
Larry (24:49):
That's the first thing they did.
Denitia (24:50):
Yeah.
Larry (24:51):
Okay, the session is in.
What do we have on the agenda?
Well, we've got, wait one second.
We should put some new rules herebefore we get to all this gun stuff.
Let's just make it so that all the peoplethat are opposed to what we're saying,
or that want change, let's just makeit so that the folks that want change
can't have a voice for this change.
Denitia (25:10):
You're right.
Larry (25:10):
That's the reality that we're living in, and the other side of
the reality is, is that, Y'all justdid something that raised $20,000.
Y'all just brought peopletogether at the City Winery.
I was a part of a benefitthat Grace Bowers put on.
And that was for the samething for The Covenant School.
And it was MusiCares, at theBasement East and we raised $22,000.
It was about $20,000.
Denitia (25:31):
That's awesome.
Larry (25:31):
And it was the feeling, the same deal, the Community, people
just donating their time, people justcoming to the show, coming together.
Doesn't it just make you nuts?
Like, when you lookaround, you're like, wow.
Seems like there's a lotof us that want change.
Denitia (25:44):
Yeah, there are.
Larry (25:45):
You know?
Denitia (25:46):
There are.
Larry (25:46):
I want to talk about you
Denitia (25:47):
Okay,
Larry (25:48):
I would like to talk about since this is a bit about Mental
health and you have new music out.
I love the fact that in yournew videos, you have a new
video for My Weakness, right?
Denitia (26:00):
Right.
Larry (26:01):
And there's a song called Highways, which was, is it 2022?
Denitia (26:04):
Right,
Larry (26:05):
Your new music from last year.
Your settings are all nature.
There's something to be said aboutthe health of our spirit, by going
back to nature is so important.
You lived in this big city, NewYork You're back in Nashville and
Nashville's a big city now, you know.
Denitia (26:23):
It is.
Larry (26:24):
And I love watching your videos because you look like somebody who
has a lot going on in the head office.
Denitia (26:32):
Interesting.
Larry (26:33):
And yet you are set and positioned in the background of nature.
I Just can't look away.
I'm looking at you.
you're singing, you'replaying some music video.
You're doing what Denitia does on a day.
You know, hang out in a beautiful area ofnature and play guitar and you're walking.
You're just, you're contemplative.
That's what it is.
There's something going on with you andobviously listen to the lyrics and you'll
(26:56):
know that that's what the song is about.
Like Highways what were you thinkingof when you were writing that?
Was it?
Just like a new beginning for you likeas far as like, all right I'm going
to sort of leave the New York thing.
I'm going to come back to Nashville.
Like this record what was it feeling foryou to do all that because you clearly
went back to nature your music videosYou're feeling the country music and
(27:18):
it was much more of an organic sound.
You're very organic on this record.
Denitia (27:22):
Yes,
Larry (27:23):
As opposed to like the record that you did in 2021, which was a
little bit darker had a little bit moreproduction involved, which I love too.
It's great.
Denitia (27:31):
Yes.
Larry (27:31):
So like, Where are you at?
Are you feeling more organic?
Are you feeling more nature bound?
Denitia (27:36):
Well, I grew up, in small refinery towns in
the outskirts of Houston.
I grew up listening to80s and 90s country.
And some of the MidCentury Classic stuff too.
And those records and thatmusic has been embedded in my
DNA as like what good music is.
(27:56):
It was my first cultural obsession.
So I was kind of Country as a kid.
I always wanted to live in the City,but there we were out in the sticks.
That's where my parents wanted to live.
I started playing guitar as ayoung person, and then I got
into like, alternative rock.
Started exploring all types of genres.
Somewhere along the way, Ibecame an Artist, writing songs.
(28:18):
I came to Vanderbilt to go to school.
Larry (28:20):
What did you study at Vanderbilt?
Denitia (28:21):
Art History.
Larry (28:22):
Art History?
Denitia (28:23):
Yes.
Larry (28:23):
That's fantastic!
Denitia (28:24):
Yeah, it was awesome.
It was really cool.
Larry (28:26):
Wow, who's the best artist
of all time?
Denitia (28:28):
Oof.
Unanswerable.
Larry (28:32):
A Plus.
Look at you.
A Plus.
Denitia (28:34):
It's all relative.
Larry (28:35):
Just know you could be a teacher.
That's the answer a greatprofessor would give.
Denitia (28:39):
Yeah.
My mom said I had to go to college,so I just conveniently chose
a college in Music City, USA.
Wow.
Because I wanted to be a songwriter.
Larry (28:46):
Why did you choose not to study something in the music business as far
as like, you know, art history is alittle bit different from Music business.
Denitia (28:54):
Right.
Larry (28:55):
Or composition.
Denitia (28:56):
It just didn't seem appealing.
And art history was like, wow, Iget to look at all of these items.
I'm a very visual person and I alsoam a big fan and I have a natural
propensity towards contextualizing.
You can tell me a couple things aboutsomething, and I can hypothesize
about why that thing is like that.
Larry (29:14):
Really?
Denitia (29:14):
And that's art history.
It's like, looking at objects, gettinga couple of clues, and then being like,
well then that's why that's like that.
Larry (29:21):
Isn't that amazing?
History in general to me is fascinating.
Denitia (29:25):
Totally.
Larry (29:25):
Because then you know that there's the through line from how something
got to be all those years ago, andthe through line to how it translates,
and how it made its way to now.
Denitia (29:34):
Absolutely.
Larry (29:35):
That's
just awesome!
Denitia (29:36):
And it was just cool because I'm just, I was so interested in the world
and like seeing more than where I grew up.
And my mom did a great job of sendingme to camps and stuff in the summer and
I went to different summer schools atlike Ivy Leagues and like she wanted
me to see things and experience things.
And I, got the bug and I wanted to knowmore about the world and I got to learn
about humanity from the beginning to now.
(30:01):
And through objects and pictures.
Larry (30:04):
Wow.
Denitia (30:05):
So I was like, I have to do Art History.
I don't know what i'm gonna do with that.
Maybe i'll work in a gallery or a museumBut really I just want to play music.
Larry (30:11):
Yeah, either way.
It's all that's very sexy stuff.
Dad, i'm not going toforget Medical School.
I'm gonna go to Art History School!
Whaaaaa?
He doesn't sound anything like thatby the way, it's just more fun for me.
Denitia (30:24):
Oh my god,
Larry (30:25):
That's fantastic.
So wow,
Denitia (30:27):
Okay, so Graduated from Vanderbilt, I started
making different types of music.
I started to experiment making DIYrecords when I was here, blending
like Americana with like PsychRock and like Indie Rock and R& B.
And then I made my way to New Yorkand really got immersed in like
experimental Electronic Music.
So I was bringing, My voice andperspective to that type of music
(30:50):
and really just was experimentingwith all these different formats and
genres Started a band with my friend.
We called ourselves Denitia and Sene.
His name was Sene not a superinventive name but it worked for us.
Yeah, and we were doinglike Electronic Pop.
Larry (31:05):
What was the band like Was it two of you or was it?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Denitia (31:07):
Yeah, it was the two of us.
It was really fun It was really cool.
We made a couple of full length albumstoured all over the place and had
a lot of support and we were kindof Indie Darlings back in the day.
It was really cool.
And then I was just continuing to explore.
So I made some solo records and Ikept just experimenting and all the
(31:27):
while I just was like, man, there'ssomething about a song that just
holds up with guitar and vocal.
Larry (31:34):
Yeah.
Denitia (31:34):
And that just always had a little bit of pull on me.
And so the quarantine happened and Ijust was really reaching for something
to feel grounded and I wanted to feelhome somehow because it was just very
chaotic and uncertain and I just startedto listen back to these old records
of my youth, these Country records.
(31:55):
Things that I had never left, butI like reimmersed myself hardcore.
Larry (31:59):
Like who?
Who like who did you listen to?
Denitia (32:00):
Oh my god Just George Straight on loop.
Larry (32:02):
Hmm.
Denitia (32:03):
That's like one of the main ones.
Larry (32:04):
Yeah,
Denitia (32:05):
And then a friend of mine Brad who grew up in Memphis and
knows a lot of the same records
that I was a fan of as a kidintroduced me to Glen Campbell.
I had never heard Glen Campbell before.
So we were listening to all thesedifferent types of music I started
to write this album Highways.
Larry (32:21):
Yeah
Denitia (32:21):
Which felt like a return to home for me.
In the midst of that, I'm living inBrooklyn, I'm writing this record, Brad
and I are making this record remotely.
Because he's down thestreet, but it's, it's COVID.
We're making this record remotely.
Larry (32:35):
By the way, down the street in apartment speak, that's a lot of stairs.
That could be like a mile.
Denitia (32:39):
Yeah, it was.
Larry (32:39):
I lived on the fifth floor.
It's a five floor walk up, youknow, from my house to your house
if you lived up on the five floor.
Denitia (32:43):
That's a lot of walking.
Larry (32:44):
That's a lot of walking.
That's a lot of steps, folks.
But that's why we were sosvelte back in New York.
Denitia (32:48):
I know.
Up and down the Subway,stairs, just walking.
I used to just walk,walk, walk, walk, walk.
From like, West Village to like,Times Square, just to be doing it.
Just, to do it.
Larry (32:57):
If I was on the Upper West Side for any reason.
Yeah.
Which, not many reasons, but like
Denitia (33:01):
You just walked down.
Larry (33:01):
I was at Central Park.
Yeah.
I'd be like, oh, I'll just walk.
Yeah.
And then before you know it, I'mlike, ah, Empire State Building.
Before you know it, I'mlike, oh, I'm a 23rd street.
I'm like, well, I'm notgonna take the train now.
Denitia (33:09):
No, i'm not gonna take the train now.
Larry (33:10):
I miss walking culture.
That's what I miss about living here.
Denitia (33:13):
I know.
Larry (33:13):
I miss the "Culture of Walking."
You walk out of your house inThe City, it's an adventure.
Denitia (33:18):
Yeah, for sure.
Larry (33:18):
I'm gonna go do laundry.
Anything can happen.
Denitia (33:21):
Anything can happen.
Larry (33:21):
I'll bump in to Denitia, let's go have coffee.
Oh, great.
Let's have coffee.
It's two o'clock.
I might have a littlesomething to eat, eh, whatever.
Before you know it, it's 4.
30, 4.
45.
Well, why don't we have a glass of wine?
Let's have a glass of wine.
Okay.
Denitia (33:33):
And then off we go.
Larry (33:34):
And then off we go.
You know what?
And then a
friend walks by.
Hey, come on over.
We're having wine.
And then all of a sudden,you just had a day.
And you connected and connected andconnected and connected, and that's
what I miss about living here.
I get in my car and I want to killeverybody because you don't know how
to drive here in the South, you suck.
But what are you gonna do?
Denitia (33:51):
You gotta go to the Shelby Park and take walks.
Larry (33:54):
You're right.
We do have to do that.
Yeah, but anyway, you were saying.
Denitia (33:56):
Cuz you asked me about the nature in the videos.
Larry (34:00):
Exactly
Denitia (34:00):
So in the midst of writing this album my partner and I decided
to move to upstate New York.
Larry (34:06):
Wow, yeah it's so beautiful there.
Denitia (34:08):
It's so gorgeous in the Hudson Valley.
I kind of like was reimmersingmyself into Nature into these
like country, bucolic landscapes.
So the reason why I wanted to introduceso much nature into the visuals is
because I was coming from a placewhere there was a lot of production.
And it was very City and Lightsand Stage Design, which is really
(34:30):
cool and I might do that again.
But I really wanted to explorethe infinite nature of outside,
and the regenerative nature of it.
And I wanted that to be apart of the visual story that
I was telling with my music.
Larry (34:49):
Yeah, that's fantastic.
And it really shows, it really does.
I was watching yourvideos It's like watching,
Denitia (34:56):
H ealing,
Larry (34:57):
Yeah, I'm watching
Denitia (34:57):
Life.
Larry (34:58):
I'm watching you in real time in this video, growing, you know,
Denitia (35:02):
Right
Larry (35:03):
As nature is growing and it's almost like two forms
in motion at the same time.
Which is really all just onething in motion at the same
time which is really cool.
Denitia (35:12):
It is really cool
Larry (35:13):
So we're coming up on the time that is called Americana Fest here in
Nashville I guarantee what a darlingyou're going to be at Americana Fest.
Denitia (35:22):
That's sweet.
Larry (35:22):
I really just, I'm so psyched.
We're doing some events together.
Denitia (35:26):
Yeah
Larry (35:26):
We're putting on an event.
We're doing Car Wheels on a GravelRoad, Lucinda Williams record in its
entirety and you'll be singing on it.
And it's just so cool to haveyou you know, as a part of it.
And what other things do youhave going on in Americana Fest?
Which is, by the way, inNashville, Tennessee, September
19th through the 23rd.
Denitia (35:44):
Yep.
Larry (35:44):
It really is a phenomenal festival.
It's funny.
My band, we have twoevents that we're hosting.
Denitia (35:49):
Yeah,
Larry (35:49):
We are not a part of the Americana Fest Association They did not give us
a pass, we're not a part of AmericanaFest, and yet we're hosting two events.
Denitia (35:58):
But you're hosting "Official Events?"
Okay, cool
Larry (36:00):
Two of them!
Denitia (36:01):
That's rad.
Larry (36:02):
Yeah, it's great.
Denitia (36:03):
Cool.
Get in where you fit in.
Out of the system.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Larry (36:06):
That's right.
It's like we got a little toe.
We got a little toe in there.
Denitia (36:08):
Yeah, that's gonna be cool.
Larry (36:09):
It's gonna be cool.
Denitia (36:10):
I'm excited about the Lucinda show.
It's gonna be rad.
Larry (36:12):
Yeah.
And so what else are you doing, that week?
You got any other plans?
Any big cool stuff?
Denitia (36:16):
Yes.
Larry (36:16):
I bet you do.
Denitia (36:17):
I'm playing several things, which I'm really excited about.
Larry (36:20):
Care to share?
Denitia (36:21):
Yes, I'm doing a full band showcase on Friday night at 9 p.
m.
at A.
B.
Hillsboro Village.
Larry (36:27):
A.
B.,
that's a good little spot.
Denitia (36:28):
Yes, and that same day in the afternoon I'm playing a showcase with
Western AF, which is a really coolvideo series based out of Montana,
and they shoot lots of Americana andCountry Artists across the country.
So I'm excited to be a part of that.
CMT is doing an event onthat Tuesday at Music Makers.
Larry (36:47):
Wow.
Denitia (36:47):
That's a place, right?
Larry (36:48):
That's cool, yeah.
Denitia (36:49):
I haven't been there yet.
And there are
Larry (36:50):
I mean look, it's in the name.
Denitia (36:51):
several other things going on.
Larry (36:52):
They make music.
What do we call it?
Uh, Music Makers.
Sounds good to me.
Where do I sign the check?
Denitia (36:59):
So I'm doing several other things that are all on my calendar.
On denitia.com
and whatnot.
Larry (37:04):
That's fantastic.
And this is basically,this is all the new stuff.
Highways.
I hate asking this question becauseI have a record coming out people
are like, "You gonna play new stuff?"
I was like, I just played you anew song, it's not even out yet.
Like well, "What about new new stuff?
Denitia (37:15):
I know I mean, I'm with it.
Larry (37:17):
Is there new new new new stuff?
Do you do that?
Like, alright, I have my record out,2022, it's a brand new record still.
But then you write something, and you'relike, Man, I gotta, I gotta play it now.
Denitia (37:26):
Yeah, we just finished,
my upcoming album.
So, I'm gonna play a
couple of songs from that as well.
Larry (37:32):
Do you have a title for it?
Denitia (37:33):
Not yet.
Larry (37:34):
Not yet.
Wow, this smile right now,I know you can't see it.
I'm sitting across, I'm sittingacross from a Christmas tree, folks.
An actual, real Christmas tree.
Denitia (37:42):
Oh my god.
Larry (37:43):
Well let me ask you a few questions before I, this is a term they use in the
business, "Before I get you out of here."
Denitia (37:47):
Oh my god, Before I get you out of here.
Larry (37:50):
They always say that on the Radio or on TV, like, Alright,
I'll get you out of here on this.
Denitia (37:54):
It's very loaded though, you know, it's like.
I'm going to get you outof here, but before then,
Larry (37:58):
They say it all the time.
Denitia (37:59):
I'm going to make you do stuff.
Larry (38:01):
Yeah.
They say it all the time.
Denitia (38:02):
And then you got to get out.
Larry (38:04):
Right.
Like they're doing you a favor.
I'm like, Oh, great.
How about I just get out of here now?
How about that?
How about I just get out?
Yeah.
All right.
So I just think that's funny.
I've always wanted to say that.
I feel like a real journalist.
Oh, that's great.
Before I get you out of here.
What fascinates you?
Denitia (38:17):
Oh my gosh.
I think it's something we kind ofspoke about earlier in, the way
that music and art takes you out ofthe mundane and puts you into like
real life, which is the moment.
Larry (38:29):
That's great.
Huh?
It's amazing sometimes when, you know,I'm waiting for more, and you're so
specific and you're very determined.
Like, you scare me.
I'll tell you right now.
Denitia (38:38):
Oh my God.
Larry (38:38):
I'm afraid of you because you just say what's on your mind,
Denitia (38:42):
Yeah,
Larry (38:42):
and then you stop.
Like I'll keep going.
See what I'm doing now.
This is called nervous energy, right?
And I'm just like, blah blah blah.
That couldn't have been enough.
I just said one sentenceThere has got to be more.
Oh, you just answered and you moveon and I really appreciate that.
Thank you for disarming me andI'm not afraid of you as much.
Okay, What angers you?
Denitia (39:03):
Oh
Larry (39:03):
Pisses you off Denitia?
Denitia (39:05):
People that refuse to listen or refuse to learn.
Larry (39:11):
Yeah.
See?
I'll let it go with that.
What brings you joy?
Denitia (39:15):
Oh.
My community, my family, my friends.
People.
Larry (39:20):
Right on.
Denitia (39:20):
Honestly.
Larry (39:21):
If you could fix one thing, magic wand, boom.
I got it.
It's me, Denitia.
I got my magic wand.
What would you do?
Denitia (39:29):
Whatever thing about climate change, that isn't inherent or inevitable.
Larry (39:35):
Hmm.
Denitia (39:36):
Because the climate is always changing from the beginning of time.
Larry (39:38):
Right.
Denitia (39:38):
But the part of it that's being accelerated I would zap it.
Larry (39:41):
Yeah.
Does that mean you would zap people?
Or you just fix it?
No.
Denitia (39:45):
No, no, no, no, no.
Larry (39:46):
I'm getting ahead of myself.
Denitia (39:47):
No, I don't want to zap any people.
Larry (39:48):
You would just fix it.
See, you're very altruistic.
I'll save the world, andthen you can think about it,
people who made it this way.
Right?
Denitia (39:57):
Listen, a lot of people who made it this way aren't even here anymore.
Larry (39:59):
That's right.
So they don't even care.
I know.
Hey, what me worry?
I'll be dead by then.
Right?
That's what they say.
I know.
That's sad.
Now the big question,Denitia, it's very tough.
Toilet paper over or under?
Denitia (40:10):
Oh, yeah.
I don't give a shit.
I don't care.
Larry (40:16):
You, gosh, you're so infuriating because you're so wonderful.
Denitia,
Denitia (40:20):
You're amazing.
Larry (40:22):
I value our friendship.
I know we're gonna hang out.
Denitia (40:25):
Yeah,
Larry (40:25):
Thank you so much.
I can say this purely.
I love you
Denitia (40:29):
Oh,
Larry (40:29):
Thank you.
Denitia (40:30):
You're so sweet.
Larry (40:30):
You really have a joy about you, and you're very precious in your honesty
and your integrity and your grace.
Thank you so much.
Denitia (40:38):
You're the best Thank you.
Brother Love (40:39):
You can personally support this show simply by clicking
the tip link in the show notes.
The Just Keep Talking podcast is nowavailable on all podcast platforms.
Please like, share, and subscribe.
Visit our website@justkeeptalking.com,
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the Just Keep Talking podcast.
(41:00):
We all just want to be seen,to be heard and to belong.
Thank you so much for supporting mymission and the Just Keep Talking
podcast with me, Brother Love.
Until next time.
Telling our stories is the connective tissue of the
collective human experience.
The Just Keep Talking podcast delvesinto the lives and stories of artists.
What is the impact ofmental health on creativity?
What does it mean to bea creative individual?
Someone who feels deeply, experiencesjoy and pain, intensely and
navigates the challenges of lifethrough the creative process.
(00:21):
With each story shared, we explore theauthentic experience of our basic need
to be seen, to be heard, and to belong.
We are really not so differentfrom one another, nor are we alone.
Together we can inspire, encourage, andenlighten each other to find the true joy
and fulfillment that is within ourselves.
When we Just Keep Talking, we create thespace for gratitude, self-acceptance,
(00:46):
and grace in everyday life.
In a world filled with divisiveness,fostering inclusivity and connection is
a powerful way to make a positive impact.
The Just Keep Talking podcast with me,Brother Love, because Your Story Matters.
Denitia (01:27):
I.
Brother Love (01:39):
That is Denitia my guest this week, taking us home with Jackson
Recorded live during 2023's AmericanaFest, hosted by yours truly, my band,
Them Vibes at the Basement East, righthere in East Nashville, Tennessee.
We recorded this interviewback in August of 2023.
I had just met Denitia at an eventand I was instantly attracted to her
authenticity and magnanimous presence.
(02:01):
Denitia has intention.
Her intention is to create beautifulart, and her method is to live
in the moment being present andmindful of her natural surroundings.
Her true calling, her true nature,if you will, is in Country Music.
Since this interview, Denitiahas released a follow-up record
called Sunset Drive in 2024.
Denitia was named anArtist To Watch by NPR.
(02:23):
Has been named 2024 CMT, NextWoman of Country, and a 2024 Artist
To Watch by the Nashville Scene.
She's toured extensivelywith the Black Opry Review.
Been invited to perform at theNational Museum of African American
Music and the Country Music Hallof Fame and museum in Nashville.
Denitia has shared stages with JasonIsbell, Amythyst Kiah, Wendy Moton, Joy
(02:44):
Oladokun among many, many other artists.
I hope you enjoy getting to knowher as much as I have The Just Keep
Talking podcast with me, Brother
Love, because Your Story Matters.
Larry (02:56):
I'm here with Denitia, my new friend Denitia.
Denitia (02:58):
Hi.
Larry (02:59):
I'm your new friend.
We're friends.
Denitia (03:01):
Yeah.
it's true.
Larry (03:02):
I just will say that we recorded something last week and it did not
take and for any of those who deal withtechnology, especially in our world.
I don't know if you've ever experiencedrecording a song, working on
something, especially back in the day.
Now, things back up, right?
We have backup, backup,
backup.
Denitia (03:20):
We have backups to the backup.
Larry (03:21):
I remember my first record, 2004 in New York City, and I had done
the best vocal take I had ever done.
Like, it was a delicate song.
Denitia (03:32):
Sure.
Larry (03:32):
It was delicate, and I remember going home that night thinking, I really
sang that song the way I envisioned it.
And I felt wonderful.
And the next day I come into the studioand my buddy who was a producer said,
Hey, so you ready to redo that song?
And I said, are you kidding me?
Well, we redid it.
I had a bit of a breakdownafter we met last week, Denitia.
(03:54):
I had a breakdown.
I had a serious breakdown becausethe technology didn't work.
I had just met you.
You're so honest.
You were so wonderful.
Denitia (04:02):
Thanks.
Larry (04:02):
And I thought, I am a piece of crap.
My life, my whole day.
Do you know what I did that day?
I'm not kidding.
So I went home, my wife had work, shewas playing drums, and I went home that
day, and I ate a whole frozen pizza.
Denitia (04:18):
Oh!
Larry (04:19):
Yeah, and I ate ice cream, I watched a documentary, it
was called Hitler The Career.
Denitia (04:24):
Wow!!!
Larry (04:25):
Yeah, I watched, so I love World War II.
Denitia (04:28):
Right.
Larry (04:28):
I love everything about it.
I will watch everythingabout World War 2, I mean.
I know how it ends, right?
I just thought, you know what,if I listen to Hitler, a whole
story about Hitler, I'm like, Lifecan't get worse than this, right?
Denitia (04:40):
Sure...
Larry (04:41):
Whatever my problems are, are no match for the Holocaust.
Denitia (04:45):
Of course.
Larry (04:45):
I figured, okay, I feel, my life's not too bad, right?
And just part of your grace, was thatimmediately after we recorded, You
said, hey, we can just do it again.
Denitia (04:54):
Sure.
Larry (04:55):
That was just so caring and gracious, and I thank you.
And so here we are,we're here with Denitia.
Denitia (04:59):
We're here.
Larry (05:00):
You're an incredible singer songwriter.
Denitia (05:02):
Thank you.
Larry (05:03):
You are welcome.
Thank you.
Would you call yourself a, areyou in the genre of Country Music?
Denitia (05:09):
I would say that I swim in and through and around
the genre of Country Music.
You know, this particular genre iskind of tricky because when I think
of country music, I'm thinking ofmore of a Classic Country, kind of
from the mid century into the 90s.
But I realized that the genre of CountryMusic has evolved a lot into more of a Pop
(05:31):
vibe in terms of what people are callingCountry and what's on Country Radio.
So we thank God for the Americanagenre and the people who are kind
of feeding life into that and sortof like fostering that community.
So I think that Americanaand Country sort of fit.
Larry (05:50):
Yeah, they absolutely do.
This is a quote of yours (05:52):
"Country music has been so formative to me as an artist.
It was my first notion ofwhat a great song is, what
beautiful, music sounds like.
What it means to me, is thepurest anchor of a human being
communicating their story".
I tripped over my words becauseif you see my handwriting, I look
(06:12):
like I should have been a doctor.
That's what everybody says.
You really should have been a doctor.
Denitia (06:15):
Can you write scripts?
Larry (06:16):
No,
Denitia (06:17):
I'm just joking.
Larry (06:17):
No, but my father would wish for, please lord, let him go be a doctor.
You could still go back to school.
Denitia (06:22):
Yeah.
Larry (06:23):
Okay, dad.
I'll go back to school.
I just want to just to see him pay for it.
Hey dad, guess what?
Dream came true.
I'm going to medical school.
What?
Denitia (06:32):
Here's the bill.
Larry (06:33):
Right, right.
Sorry about your heart attack.
Actually, I can help you, dad.
Denitia (06:36):
Oh my god.
Larry (06:36):
I'm not going.
I'm still a musician.
You grew up in Houston?
Denitia (06:39):
I grew up around Houston.
Larry (06:40):
Around Houston,
Denitia (06:41):
Yes.
In the outskirts of Houstonin small refinery towns, about
an hour outside of the city.
Larry (06:46):
Yeah.
Nashville's not new to you.
Denitia (06:47):
I am new to this version of Nashville.
This certainly wasn'there when I lived here.
I mean, I moved away like 12 ish yearsago, and the city rapidly changed.
So, it does feel kind of newto me, even though, at the
same time, it feels like home.
Larry (07:02):
When did you spend time in Nashville?
Denitia (07:04):
Yeah, I went to school here.
I graduated when I was 16 and I moved
here to go to Vanderbilt.
Then after I graduated, Ilived here for about six years.
So because I was so young whenI got to Nashville, it feels
like I partially grew up here.
Larry (07:19):
You did something that's what I think everybody should do if they
can, is you went to the Big City.
You went to New York and Brooklyn.
Denitia (07:25):
Yeah,
I was in it.
Larry (07:26):
I've heard some of the music you recorded during that time
Denitia (07:29):
Sure
Larry (07:30):
And it definitely has a flavor Yeah, it does Of a little
bit more of a just grittier, darker.
Denitia (07:35):
Yeah,
Larry (07:35):
In 2020 You did a song called "Nowhere", right?
Denitia (07:38):
Oh, right.
Yes.
I did that with my friendQuantic that was a collaboration.
I just featured on a track with him.
Larry (07:44):
That's later on in your city days...
Denitia (07:45):
Right...
Larry (07:46):
But obviously a culmination of you being there, so...
Denitia (07:48):
Absolutely.
Larry (07:49):
Could you say fairly that you're more of a well rounded person?
You know, the Houston area, Nashville,New York, back to Nashville.
What does it feel like?
Do you feel like a superhero?
Like, you have powers.
You have way more powers.
You have powers youdon't even know you have.
You have eyes everywhere.
You have sight, but you havenot just sight, my friend.
You have Vision.
Denitia (08:10):
Ah, yeah.
Larry (08:11):
And I hear it in your music, which we'll get to.
Denitia (08:12):
That's cool.
Larry (08:13):
But seeing all of these different angles, especially,
you are a woman of color.
Denitia (08:18):
Mm.
Larry (08:18):
You are gay?
Queer?
Denitia (08:20):
Queer.
Larry (08:20):
Queer.
Is that the right thing to say?
Denitia (08:22):
Sure.
Larry (08:22):
Again, I don't know things.
Denitia (08:24):
You're good.
Larry (08:24):
Good.
Thank you.
So, we were talking about thislast time, I come from New York
City, the great melting pot.
We're all there.
And especially in Queens thatborough of Queens where I
grew up, everybody was there.
And I think wow, I'm so blessed withbeing well rounded, you know what I mean?
It doesn't mean the person next to mewasn't completely racist, you know?
And doesn't mean they weren't completelya jerk and just closed minded...
(08:46):
but everybody was there.
Denitia (08:49):
Yeah.
Larry (08:49):
And we got along.
To this day
if I need something from one of myfriends growing up no matter what
color no matter what their sexualityno matter what is I wouldn't hesitate
to call they wouldn't hesitate to call.
It's not even a thought.
Denitia (09:00):
Right...
Larry (09:00):
Now it's all a thought.
Now you know what?
I could really use a I could usesomebody of color right now in my
world It's just a stupid world.
We live in.
Denitia (09:09):
I wouldn't say it's stupid.
I think
Larry (09:10):
Really?
Denitia (09:11):
Yes, I think there has to be some course correction for people who haven't
thought about diversifying their lives, ortheir workplaces, or their art, and people
that are in power have sort of benefitedfrom the status quo perpetuating,
the promotion and the benefit ofwhite males in American culture.
(09:36):
So that I think that now, like I said,there's a bit of a course correction
that needs to happen where we have tokind of reach beyond the status quo
and say, Hey, there are people who arecapable and have amazing perspective,
intelligent, creative, artistic,that we need to reach beyond the
things that we've been reaching for.
And diversify our lives in our worlds.
(09:59):
So I think that it's important forus to think and talk about ethnicity,
nationality, race, sexuality.
Because if we don't, we are deciding tobe willfully ignorant of the beautiful
diversity that we live amongst.
Larry (10:16):
Yeah
Denitia (10:17):
So I think that it's actually remarkable that people are losing
this Illusion of being Colorblind?
Because I'd like for youto to not be Colorblind.
I'd like for you to see mefor all the things that I am.
Larry (10:29):
Yeah,
Denitia (10:30):
We talked about this last time.
And I would like to see you for all thethings that you are and that's wonderful!
Larry (10:34):
What I was getting at with the whole thing in New York is is that now
I look at New York and I see swastikas.
You know, I see the racism I see peopledon't want to have anything to do with
anything other than the status quo...
White male, you know, hey, it's beenworking this long, let's go with it.
And obviously, that's you knowinsane because it just hasn't
been working for more people,
Denitia (10:53):
It hasn't worked yet, actually.
Larry (10:54):
You're right
Denitia (10:55):
Our society hasn't really worked yet.
Larry (10:57):
Yeah, that's interesting.
Denitia (10:58):
I grew up around people who are very unlike me...
I went to private Christianschools and I was usually one of like
maybe two or three black kids in myschool and in my church at the time.
So I've always gotten this the benefitof kind of seeing things from other
people's perspective, and I value that.
(11:21):
So I didn't grow up around peoplewho are exactly like me and
then I was never challenged onthe way that I see the world?
You asked me if I feel empowered andI feel that my mission is just to
put beautiful music into the worldthat moves people while being myself.
I don't have any agenda other than tocreate music that is beautiful to me and
(11:46):
to be a part of a Community, where I canenjoy other people's art and just share
the moment of loving music and lovingculture and loving art with other people.
That's really my only agenda.
Larry (12:01):
We met at an event at Vinyl Lab.
You seem very secure.
And I saw you and I wasso attracted to you.
I just said what is itabout this person, you know?
And we just spoke and then we hadthe New York thing, and we just found
out we're both Libras which is cool.
Denitia (12:16):
We love that
Larry (12:17):
But like you are so attractive, and that is powerful because I realize now is
that you are comfortable in your own skin.
You just you know who you are.
Did you always have this?
Did you find yourself sort ofprimping and posing growing up?
Because I know for me I've beentap dancing my whole frickin life.
(12:39):
Performing, pleasing, and proving.
I can be whatever you want meto be because I'm great at that.
I am.
Denitia (12:47):
Yeah, totally.
Larry (12:47):
I'm funny,
I'm serious.
Thank you.
And by the way, I was a great
partier Oh my god, Let mebuy the round my friend!!!
Denitia (12:54):
You're probably really good.
Larry (12:56):
I was the best.
Denitia (12:57):
Yeah.
Larry (12:57):
Oh, please.
There's a plaque everywhere!
You go into any bar in the worldBrother Love, Yeah, that's right.
Yeah, his money was no good here.
Because as long as he broughtthat party, the party came.
Denitia (13:10):
huh.
Larry (13:10):
I drank for everybody.
I had a great time.
And I quit drinking And I was afraid.
Could I be funny?
Could I be serious?
Could I be, could I even sing?
I've been trying to fit in.
Put a mask on here.
I'll change my mask there.
Denitia (13:24):
Yeah.
Larry (13:24):
I'm going to this party.
I'll put that mask on.
Denitia (13:27):
Right.
Larry (13:27):
I didn't realize that I was just chasing some phantom
that I made up, as opposed to thefeeling of belonging, you know.
Did you ever growing up or in your,travels, did you encounter the
fact that like, wow, this isn't me?
Why am I doing this?
Did that ever occur to you?
Denitia (13:44):
Totally.
Well, I will attribute a lot of mysensibility to the way that I grew up.
I was raised by just real honesthard working people that are faithful
and thoughtful and conscientious.
(14:04):
So There was a lot that was pouredinto me as an only child as well.
Some of my first experiencesperforming and being on stage, and I
say performing with air quotes, wasin church when I was leading praise
and worship at my Christian school.
Larry (14:20):
You were leading?
Denitia (14:21):
Yes.
Larry (14:22):
Wow.
Denitia (14:22):
It was like me and, you know, other young people and we
had our little band and we had ourcharts and we were playing songs
and those were my first experiences.
on stage.
So I really value that and I'veonly really started to realize this
recently, I really value that becausemusic was like being part of something
greater than myself, greater thanyou, greater than all of us and we
(14:44):
were in service of something else.
And that has always been a compass for me.
Even when I didn't know it.
It's like, am I inservice of something else?
Because I really view music as somethingTranscendent Spiritual and not like
in a woo woo way that the music hasto be woo woo, but like it just zaps
you into the present moment and itbrings people together that are from
(15:09):
all different walks of life, differentbelief systems, different everything.
And then we're just like in this momenttogether, whether I'm in the audience
or listening to records or performing.
That's like one of myfavorite parts about music.
So I think that I have, at sometimes in my career and in my life,
strayed away from that, and thenit instantaneously feels wrong.
(15:32):
It feels off and wrong.
I haven't always instantly gotten backon the right track, but it has led me to
think like, Oh, why does this feel so off?
And it's like, Oh, becauseI'm Being Self Serving.
Larry (15:45):
Hmmm.
laughing
Denitia (15:47):
laughing
Larry (15:50):
You know, the truth really is funny when you hear it like that.
Oh, yeah.
I knew it was off, because my ego wasjust running through, but it's so true.
Denitia (15:58):
Yes.
And when I align myself with theintention of just being in a moment
with people and acknowledge and realizethe power of music whether I'm the one
making the music, or I'm listening.
Then I'm just on the right track.
Larry (16:14):
Yeah, that's amazing.
Denitia (16:16):
I'm lined up
Larry (16:17):
That's amazing.
Good for you.
And kudos to you.
I hope I get to meet your folks.
Denitia (16:22):
Oh yeah, that'd be really cool.
Larry (16:23):
That'd be great.
Denitia (16:24):
That'd be awesome.
Larry (16:24):
I love all foods, Probably lactose intolerant, but what Jewish kid isn't?
You know what I mean?
I'm just setting it up.
Denitia (16:29):
Sure.
Larry (16:30):
You know what I mean?
I won't be offended if they put alittle Manischewitz on the table.
I'll be like, oh, that's okay, thanks.
That's church wine.
Denitia (16:35):
Oh yeah, it's fine to drink.
Larry (16:36):
Exactly.
So, I've been reading The Powerof Now, Eckhart Tolle, And
it's exactly what you just said.
I was on a gig last night, and we wereperforming, there was some issues.
It was like, it was a verybroke down kind of cool.
It was at Brown's Diner.
Denitia (16:49):
I know Brown's
Larry (16:50):
And now it's has a little bit of a facelift in the way
that management has changed.
So it's like a trailer with likea little of restaurant attached.
Denitia (16:57):
Yeah,
Larry (16:57):
The servers, they're 180 years old each.
They serve amazing regular hamburgers,cheeseburgers, nothing fancy.
Denitia (17:04):
It
Larry (17:04):
sounds good right now.
Cheap, good.
beer and just great.
It's a neighborhood Nashville spot andthey just had music there all the time.
Them Vibes we have a couple of showsthis week, instead of paying for
rehearsal time, we book a live rehearsal.
Denitia (17:18):
That's Rad!
Larry (17:19):
Just book a free gig whatever.
So we were in the zone of like wehad a new a bass player that's just
not as comfortable with the material.
Denitia (17:26):
Yeah...
Larry (17:26):
He's just newer.
Denitia (17:28):
He needs to shed,
Larry (17:29):
It was a rehearsal, but it was a gig.
So I use a delay pedal.
Technology, not my friend, Thisstupid frickin pedal, I swear I wanna
throw this thing through a wall.
They had an original pedal,and everything worked great.
And then they had, like, the secondcoming of it, the, you know, the, right?
Denitia (17:45):
Oh, sure, the 2.
0.
Larry (17:46):
Guess what, folks?
Sometimes 1.0
is enough.
Denitia (17:49):
Yep, yep.
The sequel's not always the jam.
Larry (17:51):
The sequel is not the jam.
This stupid thing, literallyjust craps the bed.
And I've called them.
I say, I need to find one.
Denitia (17:59):
What pedal is that?
Larry (18:00):
It's a TC Helicon.
Denitia (18:01):
I was gonna say...
Larry (18:02):
It's a TC Helicon, Doctor...
Denitia (18:04):
The digital joint?
Larry (18:05):
All it does is digital delay and reverb, but it's a foot pedal.
And if I want a tempo for a delay,delay, delay, you know, I just
tap my foot and it goes la la la.
Denitia (18:17):
Yeah.
Larry (18:17):
But you set it and then it doesn't engage and it doesn't
disengage when you want it.
The light just does whatever it wants.
The battery went out andsomebody else's thing.
Like we had issues last night, right?
And there's people that are like, whoa!!!
People that haven't seen ourband in like eight years.
The band is such a great band, you know,and we're a collective of, of friends
that play with each other and all that.
(18:38):
And all of a sudden in the moment,my pedal's crapping out, we
have an issue with this sound.
My wife's kick drum pedalbroke off real quick.
This is all within 45 minutes...
Denitia (18:46):
That's a lot of different things man.
Larry (18:48):
My point is it's very hard to be in the moment.
Denitia (18:50):
Yeah,
Larry (18:51):
I did though.
I did.
I I did Denitia!
I Somehow didn't let it spiral me.
I didn't let it get a holdof me the way it always has.
Where I would just say, this sucks.
I'm having a terrible timeand I'm going to blame.
Now I heard your mistake.
Now I heard my mistake.
Denitia (19:08):
Yeah.
Larry (19:09):
Now this sucks and all of it's crap.
Denitia (19:11):
Yeah.
Larry (19:12):
And I just looked out and everybody was smiling.
Denitia (19:14):
Yeah, they're having a great time.
Larry (19:15):
Everybody was having a great.
Then we found our groove because I thinkcollectively we all just decided this is
nothing this is sweating the small stuff.
Denitia (19:23):
Yeah...
Larry (19:24):
And I was so happy.
And I was happy that I was happy because
Denitia (19:27):
That's so cool.
Larry (19:28):
I was back in the moment...
Denitia (19:29):
Yeah.
Larry (19:29):
It's taken a lifetime to say "Just Stay Right Here"
- Because the issues, theproblems, the worries, are all
about the past or the future.
Right?
Denitia (19:37):
Yeah.
Larry (19:37):
I'm pissed about what happened in the past.
Denitia (19:39):
And you're worried about what's about to happen.
Larry (19:41):
Yeah.
Denitia (19:41):
Uh huh.
Larry (19:42):
There's no room in the present moment.
Denitia (19:45):
You're gonna miss your whole life like that, man.
Larry (19:46):
Yeah.
And I've spent so much timeof life that I've missed.
Denitia (19:49):
Yeah.
Larry (19:50):
You know,
Denitia (19:50):
I know
Larry (19:51):
It's insane.
I'm so tired right now.
My god.
Brené Brown.
Denitia (19:55):
Yes!
Larry (19:55):
Has been like My life saver.
If I could meet her.
I would throw all thepanties, like a Rock Star.
She's like a rock, she'sRobert Plant to me.
Denitia (20:03):
Yeah,
Larry (20:03):
She's Paul McCartney to me.
She saved my life.
And she speaks about WholeheartedLiving and this reminded me of you.
It's about Integrity.
And it's from Rising Strong.
Page 123, Brené Brown:
"Integrity is choosingcourage over comfort.
Choosing what is right overwhat is fun, fast, or easy.
And choosing to practice our valuesrather than simply professing them."
(20:26):
You strike me as all of that.
Integrity is so important.
Denitia (20:31):
That's
Larry (20:31):
cool.
It is cool.
you've been doing some thingsrecently that I'd like to talk
about which has to do with yourintegrity, you did Together In Action.
Denitia (20:40):
Oh yeah...
Larry (20:40):
A fundraiser last week.
It was you a good buddynamed Chris Hausman.
Denitia (20:44):
Yeah,
Larry (20:44):
Who I just interviewed as well.
Devin Gilfillian.
I interviewed as well.
He's great.
Jason Isbell.
Maybe one day?
Julie Williams.
What was that like?
And what was it?
Denitia (20:54):
Some friends of mine got together, and the story goes that
they were just kind of all sittingaround the kitchen table and
thinking like, what are we gonna do?
Like, how do we make change?
We gotta do something, and thesefriends of mine are the people that run
the Black Opry, which is a collectiveof Black Artists in Americana,
Country, Folk, and Blues music.
(21:15):
And alongside Autumn Nicholas, whois an incredible Singer Songwriter,
also based here they came upwith this idea, to have a show.
A benefit at City Winery, where we wouldhave lots of artists playing and raise
money to donate to Moms Demand Action,an organization working to prevent gun
(21:37):
violence in our state and nationwide.
In the aftermath of the CovenantSchool shooting, a lot of people
have been just getting into action.
Larry (21:47):
Yeah.
Denitia (21:47):
So part of the conversation has been that it's unfortunate that
we have to do that and have theseconversations, but the reality
is that that's what's happening.
And, the show was incredible!
It was beautiful.
I mean, City Winery is such agorgeous venue and it's just really
nice and elevated and $20,000 wereraised that night to donate to
(22:09):
Moms Demand Action so that theycan continue their incredible work.
And some of them, you know, they'reparents so they are feeling this every
day, this fear and they're engaged withthe Community to stop senseless violence
especially yeah towards our children.
So it was an incredible night of music.
The Community thingfor me is so important.
(22:31):
And I'm just so blessed to bea part of the Nashville Music
Community especially because Ijust moved back a few months ago...
Larry (22:37):
Yeah...
Denitia (22:38):
So it was an amazing Community action night.
Larry (22:41):
I think that that is so beautiful and the fact that you were invited.
I don't know Jason Isbell personally.
But I am absolutely aware of him...
Denitia (22:51):
Right...
Larry (22:51):
And what he stands for and who he is because he has
Integrity and he has Character.
Denitia (22:55):
Yes...
Larry (22:56):
Not one of you are patting yourselves on the back for such a brave,
brave thing that you're doing, you know?
That's the part of thiswhole conversation...
Aren't we just wonderful whatwe're doing for the people?
You know, for those people??
Denitia (23:11):
Sure.
Larry (23:12):
You understand that this is a responsibility.
Your voice is being heard, your songsand your music but also your character.
You come back and you're being invitedto do these things Thank you for doing
that and thank you for being so open.
I have friends and they just patthemselves on the back and they
high five and they raise the money.
Yeah, here's $20,000.
Look at us.
Aren't we great?
Denitia (23:29):
Right,
Larry (23:30):
You know, but this work continues and continues right now.
We are in a special session,
Denitia (23:34):
Right
Larry (23:34):
In Nashville and nothing is getting done.
I mean, look, I didn't grow up with guns.
I just didn't.
Like, we had a friend down the street,my mother would say, she smoked.
So everything was like, "Larry, we don'twant you hanging out with Mark Silberman,
because his parents has all the guns."
And I was afraid, guns, ooh, ow, you know.
But then I moved out of mylittle bubble of New York City.
Denitia (23:55):
Right.
Larry (23:55):
And everybody's got guns.
It's part, you know, fine.
I'm not taking your guns.
I don't care.
Denitia (23:59):
Totally.
Larry (23:59):
So, I appreciate that The Governor brought this special
session in, but it's, all just,
Denitia (24:05):
It might just be for show?
Larry (24:06):
Exactly, that's what it is.
It's for show.
They're taking people out of the sessionbecause they're holding up signs.
People are yelling.
If you look at courts inEngland, which is by the way, a
lot older than America, right?
The Parliament, they yell in Parliament.
People are screaming and yellingtheir opinions, that's part of it,
because their voices are being heard.
(24:27):
Now you have parents, mothers, fathers,with signs, holding up, Not One More Kid.
All of the pain and hurtjust, What's a sign, right?
It's a sign.
Denitia (24:35):
It's just a sign.
Larry (24:35):
It's just a sign.
We're here.
We're an American population.
Denitia (24:40):
Right.
Larry (24:41):
And they're being thrown out.
I know.
They're not heard.
They're not seen.
Denitia (24:44):
Over new rules that they're just making up on the spot, which
isn't the way it's supposed to work.
Larry (24:49):
That's the first thing they did.
Denitia (24:50):
Yeah.
Larry (24:51):
Okay, the session is in.
What do we have on the agenda?
Well, we've got, wait one second.
We should put some new rules herebefore we get to all this gun stuff.
Let's just make it so that all the peoplethat are opposed to what we're saying,
or that want change, let's just makeit so that the folks that want change
can't have a voice for this change.
Denitia (25:10):
You're right.
Larry (25:10):
That's the reality that we're living in, and the other side of
the reality is, is that, Y'all justdid something that raised $20,000.
Y'all just brought peopletogether at the City Winery.
I was a part of a benefitthat Grace Bowers put on.
And that was for the samething for The Covenant School.
And it was MusiCares, at theBasement East and we raised $22,000.
It was about $20,000.
Denitia (25:31):
That's awesome.
Larry (25:31):
And it was the feeling, the same deal, the Community, people
just donating their time, people justcoming to the show, coming together.
Doesn't it just make you nuts?
Like, when you lookaround, you're like, wow.
Seems like there's a lotof us that want change.
Denitia (25:44):
Yeah, there are.
Larry (25:45):
You know?
Denitia (25:46):
There are.
Larry (25:46):
I want to talk about you
Denitia (25:47):
Okay,
Larry (25:48):
I would like to talk about since this is a bit about Mental
health and you have new music out.
I love the fact that in yournew videos, you have a new
video for My Weakness, right?
Denitia (26:00):
Right.
Larry (26:01):
And there's a song called Highways, which was, is it 2022?
Denitia (26:04):
Right,
Larry (26:05):
Your new music from last year.
Your settings are all nature.
There's something to be said aboutthe health of our spirit, by going
back to nature is so important.
You lived in this big city, NewYork You're back in Nashville and
Nashville's a big city now, you know.
Denitia (26:23):
It is.
Larry (26:24):
And I love watching your videos because you look like somebody who
has a lot going on in the head office.
Denitia (26:32):
Interesting.
Larry (26:33):
And yet you are set and positioned in the background of nature.
I Just can't look away.
I'm looking at you.
you're singing, you'replaying some music video.
You're doing what Denitia does on a day.
You know, hang out in a beautiful area ofnature and play guitar and you're walking.
You're just, you're contemplative.
That's what it is.
There's something going on with you andobviously listen to the lyrics and you'll
(26:56):
know that that's what the song is about.
Like Highways what were you thinkingof when you were writing that?
Was it?
Just like a new beginning for you likeas far as like, all right I'm going
to sort of leave the New York thing.
I'm going to come back to Nashville.
Like this record what was it feeling foryou to do all that because you clearly
went back to nature your music videosYou're feeling the country music and
(27:18):
it was much more of an organic sound.
You're very organic on this record.
Denitia (27:22):
Yes,
Larry (27:23):
As opposed to like the record that you did in 2021, which was a
little bit darker had a little bit moreproduction involved, which I love too.
It's great.
Denitia (27:31):
Yes.
Larry (27:31):
So like, Where are you at?
Are you feeling more organic?
Are you feeling more nature bound?
Denitia (27:36):
Well, I grew up, in small refinery towns in
the outskirts of Houston.
I grew up listening to80s and 90s country.
And some of the MidCentury Classic stuff too.
And those records and thatmusic has been embedded in my
DNA as like what good music is.
(27:56):
It was my first cultural obsession.
So I was kind of Country as a kid.
I always wanted to live in the City,but there we were out in the sticks.
That's where my parents wanted to live.
I started playing guitar as ayoung person, and then I got
into like, alternative rock.
Started exploring all types of genres.
Somewhere along the way, Ibecame an Artist, writing songs.
(28:18):
I came to Vanderbilt to go to school.
Larry (28:20):
What did you study at Vanderbilt?
Denitia (28:21):
Art History.
Larry (28:22):
Art History?
Denitia (28:23):
Yes.
Larry (28:23):
That's fantastic!
Denitia (28:24):
Yeah, it was awesome.
It was really cool.
Larry (28:26):
Wow, who's the best artist
of all time?
Denitia (28:28):
Oof.
Unanswerable.
Larry (28:32):
A Plus.
Look at you.
A Plus.
Denitia (28:34):
It's all relative.
Larry (28:35):
Just know you could be a teacher.
That's the answer a greatprofessor would give.
Denitia (28:39):
Yeah.
My mom said I had to go to college,so I just conveniently chose
a college in Music City, USA.
Wow.
Because I wanted to be a songwriter.
Larry (28:46):
Why did you choose not to study something in the music business as far
as like, you know, art history is alittle bit different from Music business.
Denitia (28:54):
Right.
Larry (28:55):
Or composition.
Denitia (28:56):
It just didn't seem appealing.
And art history was like, wow, Iget to look at all of these items.
I'm a very visual person and I alsoam a big fan and I have a natural
propensity towards contextualizing.
You can tell me a couple things aboutsomething, and I can hypothesize
about why that thing is like that.
Larry (29:14):
Really?
Denitia (29:14):
And that's art history.
It's like, looking at objects, gettinga couple of clues, and then being like,
well then that's why that's like that.
Larry (29:21):
Isn't that amazing?
History in general to me is fascinating.
Denitia (29:25):
Totally.
Larry (29:25):
Because then you know that there's the through line from how something
got to be all those years ago, andthe through line to how it translates,
and how it made its way to now.
Denitia (29:34):
Absolutely.
Larry (29:35):
That's
just awesome!
Denitia (29:36):
And it was just cool because I'm just, I was so interested in the world
and like seeing more than where I grew up.
And my mom did a great job of sendingme to camps and stuff in the summer and
I went to different summer schools atlike Ivy Leagues and like she wanted
me to see things and experience things.
And I, got the bug and I wanted to knowmore about the world and I got to learn
about humanity from the beginning to now.
(30:01):
And through objects and pictures.
Larry (30:04):
Wow.
Denitia (30:05):
So I was like, I have to do Art History.
I don't know what i'm gonna do with that.
Maybe i'll work in a gallery or a museumBut really I just want to play music.
Larry (30:11):
Yeah, either way.
It's all that's very sexy stuff.
Dad, i'm not going toforget Medical School.
I'm gonna go to Art History School!
Whaaaaa?
He doesn't sound anything like thatby the way, it's just more fun for me.
Denitia (30:24):
Oh my god,
Larry (30:25):
That's fantastic.
So wow,
Denitia (30:27):
Okay, so Graduated from Vanderbilt, I started
making different types of music.
I started to experiment making DIYrecords when I was here, blending
like Americana with like PsychRock and like Indie Rock and R& B.
And then I made my way to New Yorkand really got immersed in like
experimental Electronic Music.
So I was bringing, My voice andperspective to that type of music
(30:50):
and really just was experimentingwith all these different formats and
genres Started a band with my friend.
We called ourselves Denitia and Sene.
His name was Sene not a superinventive name but it worked for us.
Yeah, and we were doinglike Electronic Pop.
Larry (31:05):
What was the band like Was it two of you or was it?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Denitia (31:07):
Yeah, it was the two of us.
It was really fun It was really cool.
We made a couple of full length albumstoured all over the place and had
a lot of support and we were kindof Indie Darlings back in the day.
It was really cool.
And then I was just continuing to explore.
So I made some solo records and Ikept just experimenting and all the
(31:27):
while I just was like, man, there'ssomething about a song that just
holds up with guitar and vocal.
Larry (31:34):
Yeah.
Denitia (31:34):
And that just always had a little bit of pull on me.
And so the quarantine happened and Ijust was really reaching for something
to feel grounded and I wanted to feelhome somehow because it was just very
chaotic and uncertain and I just startedto listen back to these old records
of my youth, these Country records.
(31:55):
Things that I had never left, butI like reimmersed myself hardcore.
Larry (31:59):
Like who?
Who like who did you listen to?
Denitia (32:00):
Oh my god Just George Straight on loop.
Larry (32:02):
Hmm.
Denitia (32:03):
That's like one of the main ones.
Larry (32:04):
Yeah,
Denitia (32:05):
And then a friend of mine Brad who grew up in Memphis and
knows a lot of the same records
that I was a fan of as a kidintroduced me to Glen Campbell.
I had never heard Glen Campbell before.
So we were listening to all thesedifferent types of music I started
to write this album Highways.
Larry (32:21):
Yeah
Denitia (32:21):
Which felt like a return to home for me.
In the midst of that, I'm living inBrooklyn, I'm writing this record, Brad
and I are making this record remotely.
Because he's down thestreet, but it's, it's COVID.
We're making this record remotely.
Larry (32:35):
By the way, down the street in apartment speak, that's a lot of stairs.
That could be like a mile.
Denitia (32:39):
Yeah, it was.
Larry (32:39):
I lived on the fifth floor.
It's a five floor walk up, youknow, from my house to your house
if you lived up on the five floor.
Denitia (32:43):
That's a lot of walking.
Larry (32:44):
That's a lot of walking.
That's a lot of steps, folks.
But that's why we were sosvelte back in New York.
Denitia (32:48):
I know.
Up and down the Subway,stairs, just walking.
I used to just walk,walk, walk, walk, walk.
From like, West Village to like,Times Square, just to be doing it.
Just, to do it.
Larry (32:57):
If I was on the Upper West Side for any reason.
Yeah.
Which, not many reasons, but like
Denitia (33:01):
You just walked down.
Larry (33:01):
I was at Central Park.
Yeah.
I'd be like, oh, I'll just walk.
Yeah.
And then before you know it, I'mlike, ah, Empire State Building.
Before you know it, I'mlike, oh, I'm a 23rd street.
I'm like, well, I'm notgonna take the train now.
Denitia (33:09):
No, i'm not gonna take the train now.
Larry (33:10):
I miss walking culture.
That's what I miss about living here.
Denitia (33:13):
I know.
Larry (33:13):
I miss the "Culture of Walking."
You walk out of your house inThe City, it's an adventure.
Denitia (33:18):
Yeah, for sure.
Larry (33:18):
I'm gonna go do laundry.
Anything can happen.
Denitia (33:21):
Anything can happen.
Larry (33:21):
I'll bump in to Denitia, let's go have coffee.
Oh, great.
Let's have coffee.
It's two o'clock.
I might have a littlesomething to eat, eh, whatever.
Before you know it, it's 4.
30, 4.
45.
Well, why don't we have a glass of wine?
Let's have a glass of wine.
Okay.
Denitia (33:33):
And then off we go.
Larry (33:34):
And then off we go.
You know what?
And then a
friend walks by.
Hey, come on over.
We're having wine.
And then all of a sudden,you just had a day.
And you connected and connected andconnected and connected, and that's
what I miss about living here.
I get in my car and I want to killeverybody because you don't know how
to drive here in the South, you suck.
But what are you gonna do?
Denitia (33:51):
You gotta go to the Shelby Park and take walks.
Larry (33:54):
You're right.
We do have to do that.
Yeah, but anyway, you were saying.
Denitia (33:56):
Cuz you asked me about the nature in the videos.
Larry (34:00):
Exactly
Denitia (34:00):
So in the midst of writing this album my partner and I decided
to move to upstate New York.
Larry (34:06):
Wow, yeah it's so beautiful there.
Denitia (34:08):
It's so gorgeous in the Hudson Valley.
I kind of like was reimmersingmyself into Nature into these
like country, bucolic landscapes.
So the reason why I wanted to introduceso much nature into the visuals is
because I was coming from a placewhere there was a lot of production.
And it was very City and Lightsand Stage Design, which is really
(34:30):
cool and I might do that again.
But I really wanted to explorethe infinite nature of outside,
and the regenerative nature of it.
And I wanted that to be apart of the visual story that
I was telling with my music.
Larry (34:49):
Yeah, that's fantastic.
And it really shows, it really does.
I was watching yourvideos It's like watching,
Denitia (34:56):
H ealing,
Larry (34:57):
Yeah, I'm watching
Denitia (34:57):
Life.
Larry (34:58):
I'm watching you in real time in this video, growing, you know,
Denitia (35:02):
Right
Larry (35:03):
As nature is growing and it's almost like two forms
in motion at the same time.
Which is really all just onething in motion at the same
time which is really cool.
Denitia (35:12):
It is really cool
Larry (35:13):
So we're coming up on the time that is called Americana Fest here in
Nashville I guarantee what a darlingyou're going to be at Americana Fest.
Denitia (35:22):
That's sweet.
Larry (35:22):
I really just, I'm so psyched.
We're doing some events together.
Denitia (35:26):
Yeah
Larry (35:26):
We're putting on an event.
We're doing Car Wheels on a GravelRoad, Lucinda Williams record in its
entirety and you'll be singing on it.
And it's just so cool to haveyou you know, as a part of it.
And what other things do youhave going on in Americana Fest?
Which is, by the way, inNashville, Tennessee, September
19th through the 23rd.
Denitia (35:44):
Yep.
Larry (35:44):
It really is a phenomenal festival.
It's funny.
My band, we have twoevents that we're hosting.
Denitia (35:49):
Yeah,
Larry (35:49):
We are not a part of the Americana Fest Association They did not give us
a pass, we're not a part of AmericanaFest, and yet we're hosting two events.
Denitia (35:58):
But you're hosting "Official Events?"
Okay, cool
Larry (36:00):
Two of them!
Denitia (36:01):
That's rad.
Larry (36:02):
Yeah, it's great.
Denitia (36:03):
Cool.
Get in where you fit in.
Out of the system.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Larry (36:06):
That's right.
It's like we got a little toe.
We got a little toe in there.
Denitia (36:08):
Yeah, that's gonna be cool.
Larry (36:09):
It's gonna be cool.
Denitia (36:10):
I'm excited about the Lucinda show.
It's gonna be rad.
Larry (36:12):
Yeah.
And so what else are you doing, that week?
You got any other plans?
Any big cool stuff?
Denitia (36:16):
Yes.
Larry (36:16):
I bet you do.
Denitia (36:17):
I'm playing several things, which I'm really excited about.
Larry (36:20):
Care to share?
Denitia (36:21):
Yes, I'm doing a full band showcase on Friday night at 9 p.
m.
at A.
B.
Hillsboro Village.
Larry (36:27):
A.
B.,
that's a good little spot.
Denitia (36:28):
Yes, and that same day in the afternoon I'm playing a showcase with
Western AF, which is a really coolvideo series based out of Montana,
and they shoot lots of Americana andCountry Artists across the country.
So I'm excited to be a part of that.
CMT is doing an event onthat Tuesday at Music Makers.
Larry (36:47):
Wow.
Denitia (36:47):
That's a place, right?
Larry (36:48):
That's cool, yeah.
Denitia (36:49):
I haven't been there yet.
And there are
Larry (36:50):
I mean look, it's in the name.
Denitia (36:51):
several other things going on.
Larry (36:52):
They make music.
What do we call it?
Uh, Music Makers.
Sounds good to me.
Where do I sign the check?
Denitia (36:59):
So I'm doing several other things that are all on my calendar.
On denitia.com
and whatnot.
Larry (37:04):
That's fantastic.
And this is basically,this is all the new stuff.
Highways.
I hate asking this question becauseI have a record coming out people
are like, "You gonna play new stuff?"
I was like, I just played you anew song, it's not even out yet.
Like well, "What about new new stuff?
Denitia (37:15):
I know I mean, I'm with it.
Larry (37:17):
Is there new new new new stuff?
Do you do that?
Like, alright, I have my record out,2022, it's a brand new record still.
But then you write something, and you'relike, Man, I gotta, I gotta play it now.
Denitia (37:26):
Yeah, we just finished,
my upcoming album.
So, I'm gonna play a
couple of songs from that as well.
Larry (37:32):
Do you have a title for it?
Denitia (37:33):
Not yet.
Larry (37:34):
Not yet.
Wow, this smile right now,I know you can't see it.
I'm sitting across, I'm sittingacross from a Christmas tree, folks.
An actual, real Christmas tree.
Denitia (37:42):
Oh my god.
Larry (37:43):
Well let me ask you a few questions before I, this is a term they use in the
business, "Before I get you out of here."
Denitia (37:47):
Oh my god, Before I get you out of here.
Larry (37:50):
They always say that on the Radio or on TV, like, Alright,
I'll get you out of here on this.
Denitia (37:54):
It's very loaded though, you know, it's like.
I'm going to get you outof here, but before then,
Larry (37:58):
They say it all the time.
Denitia (37:59):
I'm going to make you do stuff.
Larry (38:01):
Yeah.
They say it all the time.
Denitia (38:02):
And then you got to get out.
Larry (38:04):
Right.
Like they're doing you a favor.
I'm like, Oh, great.
How about I just get out of here now?
How about that?
How about I just get out?
Yeah.
All right.
So I just think that's funny.
I've always wanted to say that.
I feel like a real journalist.
Oh, that's great.
Before I get you out of here.
What fascinates you?
Denitia (38:17):
Oh my gosh.
I think it's something we kind ofspoke about earlier in, the way
that music and art takes you out ofthe mundane and puts you into like
real life, which is the moment.
Larry (38:29):
That's great.
Huh?
It's amazing sometimes when, you know,I'm waiting for more, and you're so
specific and you're very determined.
Like, you scare me.
I'll tell you right now.
Denitia (38:38):
Oh my God.
Larry (38:38):
I'm afraid of you because you just say what's on your mind,
Denitia (38:42):
Yeah,
Larry (38:42):
and then you stop.
Like I'll keep going.
See what I'm doing now.
This is called nervous energy, right?
And I'm just like, blah blah blah.
That couldn't have been enough.
I just said one sentenceThere has got to be more.
Oh, you just answered and you moveon and I really appreciate that.
Thank you for disarming me andI'm not afraid of you as much.
Okay, What angers you?
Denitia (39:03):
Oh
Larry (39:03):
Pisses you off Denitia?
Denitia (39:05):
People that refuse to listen or refuse to learn.
Larry (39:11):
Yeah.
See?
I'll let it go with that.
What brings you joy?
Denitia (39:15):
Oh.
My community, my family, my friends.
People.
Larry (39:20):
Right on.
Denitia (39:20):
Honestly.
Larry (39:21):
If you could fix one thing, magic wand, boom.
I got it.
It's me, Denitia.
I got my magic wand.
What would you do?
Denitia (39:29):
Whatever thing about climate change, that isn't inherent or inevitable.
Larry (39:35):
Hmm.
Denitia (39:36):
Because the climate is always changing from the beginning of time.
Larry (39:38):
Right.
Denitia (39:38):
But the part of it that's being accelerated I would zap it.
Larry (39:41):
Yeah.
Does that mean you would zap people?
Or you just fix it?
No.
Denitia (39:45):
No, no, no, no, no.
Larry (39:46):
I'm getting ahead of myself.
Denitia (39:47):
No, I don't want to zap any people.
Larry (39:48):
You would just fix it.
See, you're very altruistic.
I'll save the world, andthen you can think about it,
people who made it this way.
Right?
Denitia (39:57):
Listen, a lot of people who made it this way aren't even here anymore.
Larry (39:59):
That's right.
So they don't even care.
I know.
Hey, what me worry?
I'll be dead by then.
Right?
That's what they say.
I know.
That's sad.
Now the big question,Denitia, it's very tough.
Toilet paper over or under?
Denitia (40:10):
Oh, yeah.
I don't give a shit.
I don't care.
Larry (40:16):
You, gosh, you're so infuriating because you're so wonderful.
Denitia,
Denitia (40:20):
You're amazing.
Larry (40:22):
I value our friendship.
I know we're gonna hang out.
Denitia (40:25):
Yeah,
Larry (40:25):
Thank you so much.
I can say this purely.
I love you
Denitia (40:29):
Oh,
Larry (40:29):
Thank you.
Denitia (40:30):
You're so sweet.
Larry (40:30):
You really have a joy about you, and you're very precious in your honesty
and your integrity and your grace.
Thank you so much.
Denitia (40:38):
You're the best Thank you.
Brother Love (40:39):
You can personally support this show simply by clicking
the tip link in the show notes.
The Just Keep Talking podcast is nowavailable on all podcast platforms.
Please like, share, and subscribe.
Visit our website@justkeeptalking.com,
our YouTube channel at Just KeepTalking Podcast and Instagram at
the Just Keep Talking podcast.
(41:00):
We all just want to be seen,to be heard and to belong.
Thank you so much for supporting mymission and the Just Keep Talking
podcast with me, Brother Love.
Until next time.
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