Today we’re diving into the magic behind the fabulous dance-pop artist’s highly anticipated album, ‘PIVOTAL’. Denise, Welcome! How are you?
I am great thanks for asking! Exciting times! Hope you are well!
‘PIVOTAL’ is your first full-length album since 2012. Following a fantastical career, string of award-winning releases and a unique lasting impression on pop, why is this hotly-tipped release a monumental moment in your career?
I am aiming for a larger audience, which means more people will hear my work. I realize I am in this strange space. I am not young and new and the people that I grew up with may not be finding or discovering new music. I want to engage listeners from several generations and that may be a tall order. I want to be realistic and yet I want to reach far and beyond. It’s all about discovery. I also believe, if I can’t break that wall, if I can’t find a way to capture more listeners with ‘PIVOTAL’ – well then, I will back off all the promotion and simply let the music stay wherever it is. Behind success is momentum. I have the most momentum I have ever had in my career happening now and the universe will do what it does.
We can’t wait to experience the magic of the album – would you say it embarks on an unexpected direction or can fans anticipate your signature style? Alternatively, is it a striking combination of both?
I think you hit the nail on the head with “striking combination of both”. I have always mixed genres, in fact at the start of my career, the record labels did not know what to do with me. That’s one reason I started my own label, as I was not going to pick a lane. My voice is the glue, however with this record, I am less genre-specific, straddling genres with each song, picking the songs for me that make the most sense, being on ‘PIVOTAL’. I aim to make great long-lasting music for all people. Kind, loving, non-judgmental, expressive, inclusive and diverse people, from all walks of life. That’s the audience I imagine enjoying my work.
In terms of visuals, your animated series ‘The Cowgirl & The Alien’ adds a mystical layer to your music – how did these characters originally come to life?
I was thinking about love and how challenging intimate relationships can be. Somehow, I came up with the idea of a human on earth meeting an alien from another planet. And they are initially curious about one another, they are attracted to each other. Now that’s a challenge. It came to me while I was singing my first vocals on my demo for ‘Float’. I remember I stopped singing and spoke the idea into my phone recorder. It was like all at once, I had the song, the vibe and the video in my head and it was somewhat explosive. I had the title as well, The Cowgirl & The Alien, while I was working on ‘Float’ which is part 1 of the 3-part series. I saw the entire video in my head and once the recording was done, I refined the storyboard and recorded and spoke it with the song in the background going from scene to scene, then sent it to the fantastic videographer Karolina Tyszkowska and she gave it life.
Are there more fantastic visuals for ‘‘PIVOTAL?’
I have a new video out for ‘Rainbow Until Dawn Remix’, it’s fun and colorful. I also made a very intimate, and up-close music video for ‘Dry Spell’ which I am looking forward to sharing. It will probably be the final video for ‘PIVOTAL’. Though…you never know.
As a message to any new fans, why should listeners step into the enchanting world of Denise Marsa?
Great question. Why listen to my music? I will share what someone shared with me, how I am thought of, in her mind. I added it on my website. It’s been said about me that I consistently uplift those around me and act as a beacon of light spreading goodwill; and that I have the gift of recognizing someone’s inner gifts and helping them grow into the person they have the potential to become. This makes me smile. I like spreading goodwill. Thank you for your support and for the opportunity to share my thoughts and work.