Media pronouncements of rock 'n' roll's imminent death happen pretty much every day, except when being countered by announcements of its rebirth (yeah, the Strokes are here to save rock and it was so damn dead!), but the truth is of course like Neil Young says, rock 'n' roll can never die, and neither can all of its various offshoot traditions—including the much maligned singer-songwriter genre.
Like most music fans I had assumed that artists like Nick Drake and Elliott Smith would provide me with all of the hushed introspection and fragile emotional song terrain I would ever need to cry myself to sleep. That was until coming across Philadelphia's Denison Witmer three years ago, who, at the age of 26, has already crafted three albums worth of poignant lyrical ruminations married to rivetingly skeletal folk that are sure to mesmerize any music listeners concerned with substance over style.
Witmer's latest, the just released Philadelphia Songs, represents the peak of his creative output thus far. Recorded with the aid of ambient Ohio instrumental collective Six Parts Seven, Witmer's formerly spare tunes are frequently fleshed out into lush late night soundscapes on tracks like "Sets of Keys" and "Remember the Things You Have Seen." Other moments continue to find him stretching, whether taking to the piano for the first time on record ("St. Cecilia") or experimenting with drum machines and synthesizers ("Chestnut Hill").
So what makes this article any different from the hundreds of others in which I've praised overlook talent these past four years in the music section? You get a chance to see this musician for yourself! Denison Witmer is bringing his powerful music live to Macalester for free in a WMCN sponsored concert event.
Also on the bill are Minneapolis-based up and comers Kid Dakota who recently released their chilling debut So Pretty on Low's brand new Chair Kickers record label. Starting off the night will be student opener Andrew Brantingham's jazzy acoustic musings. Denison Witmer was kind enough to take some time out on the road to answer our questions.
The Mac Weekly: Philadelphia Songs is arguably your most layered record, incorporating expanded instrumentation on an even larger scale than Of Joy and Sorrow, but the change doesn't feel forced. Was it a struggle deciding on the right arrangements for the songs? Do you view record making as a sort of evolutionary process for you right now?
Denison Witmer: It definitely wasn't a forced effort. For me, it's about not wanting to make the same record over and over again. Philadelphia Songs is the first record I've taken the production role of completely. I had just gotten off a tour with Six Parts Seven and they were backing me on a few songs live ... it seemed natural to me to bring them into the studio to arrange the songs with me. They outperformed my hopes for the record and took it to a level I can't believe. I love those guys. After we discussed the arrangements and they laid the tracks, all that was left for me was deciding what to keep in the mixes. It wasn't hard considering how tasteful they were during the recording process ...
MW: Whenever people make music that can be described as 'personal' or 'confessional' in nature fans have a tendency to confuse the artist with the person and think that they "know" the performer. Is this something you find frustrating? Do you feel your songs represent an accurate reflection of your overall personality?
Witmer: Yes and no. I think people are expecting me to be a little down spirited, though I also think listeners realize that musicians write most in particular moods and not all of their writing reflects them completely. I'm trying hard to write more in every mood as a result. I think it's been good to stretch myself in that direction.
MW: You've pretty much been a road warrior for the bulk of the last twelve months. Do you find life on the road enjoyable? Disorienting? How much of an impact do you feel your currently nomadic lifestyle has on your songwriting?
Witmer: It's a typical love/hate relationship. Sometimes you don't want to do anything but tour ... other days you just want to be home. It's made writing difficult because I have less time to concentrate on it, then when I'm home I feel pressure to use my time to write and it can feel contrived or forced. I think I'll need a good three months to relax and write my next record next year, then at least a month to record it. I'm hoping to have four months of sometime, not sure when.
I can't complain though. Touring is a blessing I don't take for granted and seeing lots of the country and meeting the great people I cross paths with daily is amazing. There are days I miss touring so much that I feel like being at home is stifling, makes you feel like you should be on the move constantly, like you're not comfortable unless you hear a car engine and wheels spinning and see things passing you.
MW: The music industry, unfortunately even within the independent realm, seems increasingly geared towards style over substance, touting silly subgeneres and fads (garage rock, electro-clash, etc.) as opposed to substantial songwriting. Do you ever feel like the odd man out by working within the more established yet all too frequently overlooked singer-songwriter tradition?
Witmer: Sometimes ... but I don't think about that stuff too much. For me, music is all about journaling and getting my feelings out. Then sharing them with other people and going from there ... hopefully building a relationship with the listener that is very much a two way street. I could care less about the 'scene' and try to avoid it as much as possible. I think I straddle several scenes well, though it's all accidental.
Denison Witmer plays on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, with Kid Dakota and student opener Andrew Brantingham in the Alexander G. Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons.
The 7:30 pm show is free, all ages, and open to the public. Sponsored by WMCN 91.7 FM Macalester College Radio.
