What can we expect from DENNI for the rest of 2020?

Hey DENNI! Congratulations on the release of 'RUNAWAYS'!
Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind the track?

DENNI - The lyrics for this track came at a really uncertain time, AO had sent me a beat to work on called 11:38am, it reminded me of being on the move. I wrote the line “chasing tides and sunsets” sitting at Tama (north east TAS) watching my uncle surf. This really wrapped up my concept of chasing the wave and inspired me to write the song “Runaways”. It’s really about an Artist finding love, while chasing their passion. I had the song pretty much finished but felt like it was missing another perspective.

Greeley – “When DENNI sent me the version of RUNAWAYS with just her lyrics, I was stuck in Brisbane while working on releasing my album ‘Risdon Wisdom’. As an artist that came from a broken family, the theme and idea ‘Runaways’ has always played a serious role in my life. I’ve felt like some of my family had ran away when faced with issues, and music had become my medicine in regard to healing that pain. The consistent irony the reoccurs throughout my life within music and performing, is that I have ran away from my problems and family in pursuit of filling that void, but therefore repeating the cycle that caused me pain in the first place. The journey for love and happiness throughout my music career has always been a hard road and finding a sense of home has always seemed impossible. Writing my lyrics for this song was effortless as I related with the concept so much.

We really wanted this film clip to feel a certain way and reflect on our journey as separate artists, crossing paths but who never actually meet while on the move. The locations in the clip really capture where we were at the time, and touch on the serendipity in events that brought us closer together. 

You teamed up with quite the dream team for the single. How did those collaborations come to be?

I have been collaborating with AO a local Tassie producer based in Hobart since my last EP release. We have been working on a lo-fi/Hip Hop sound. I really vibe with AO’s guitar style and lush production.

Greeley got in contact with me to feature on his album “Risdon Wisdom”, we coincidently crossed paths at Melbourne airport while he was on his way to Perth to record and I was on my home after working on a show. We stayed in touch and after I featured on his album I asked if he would return the favour.

What was it like putting together a single in the midst of a pandemic?
Would you say that it influenced the track in many ways?

When COVID 19 hit, all of my touring work stopped, I lost my unit and was forced to move back in with my family, I made the most of the situation and started Uni. So, when I heard from Greeley again about recording, I was pretty excited to get back into the studio to work on a project. I’ve been touring the country, performing with Terrapin puppet theatre for the last 2 years and working in theatre design. My calendar was full at the start of the year as I’m sure a lot of people relate, so really this new shift in music wouldn’t have happened for me. I had to reassess to stay afloat as an artist and making music is always my strong hand, even when I’m not releasing music I’m composing and working on bigger vision.

You've had quite the genre shift with this release, from folk to hip hop. What prompted the change?

I’ve always been an outspoken person and advocate for social change. Hip Hop is fuelled by a strong culture of standing up for what you believe in and as an artist I resonate with that. All my songs start out as poetry, lyric driven pieces and working with different soundscapes and melodies challenges me as an artist. Really, it’s all about story no matter the genre I’m writing to.

 What new releases do you have on repeat at the moment?

Barkaa – Our Lives Matter, Dunn D – Phoneix, Complete – Death Rattle, The Holiday Collective – Island, Jimblah – About these Demons.

 What can we expect to hear and see from you for the rest of 2020?

It really has been a madhouse this year! I featured on an album that went to number 1 in the hip-hop charts Greeley “Risdon Wisdom”. I’ve now released a single from my upcoming EP “Runaways”. I’m about to head to the bush of NSW for work this September to build puppets for 2 weeks with a dear friend and mentor. We are set to release my EP in October with another single and film clip “Murder (ft. Greeley)”. Making my way back to Tasmania is high on the list as well.