December 09, 2005
Five Questions With: Denison Witmer
1. WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?
My oldest brother was a huge American Music Club fan. I was in 8th grade when he first played them for me. I remember buying a copy of their record “Engine” on vinyl from one of his friends. My parents had one of those huge wooden chest record players and I used to sit in the living room listening to that record over and over again. Songs like “Big Nights”, “Night Watchmen,” and “This Year,” are still among my favorites (maybe for sentimental reasons).
2. WHAT IS THE MOST RECENT (GREAT) RECORD YOU’VE HEARD?
It’s been a tie for me this last year:
Ambulance LTD (self titled): I haven’t heard a more polished “slacker-rock” record. I know that seems like an oxymoron, though I feel as if the whole disc is perfectly played, has amazingly catchy melodies, perfect sounding engineering, yet the combination is entirely lazy and comfortable. I listened to this record more than any other disc this year.
Jose Gonzalez “Veneer”: Not a Swedish name, I know, but this Swede was born of Argentinean parents and raised in Sweden. He recorded this recorded at home. It is mostly just guitar and voice but lacks nothing. He plays finger style classical guitar… sometimes a bit aggressively so some of the songs carry a beat. This album is really easy to slip into and it holds up collectively start to finish. I bought this at a record store when I was on tour in Sweden – come to find out he is HUGE there… I tried to help him find a U.S. label but didn’t have much luck… Though I just found out that Parasol is now distributing his record stateside so I’m excited to see where that will lead for him.
3. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MAKING MUSIC?
My oldest brother Douglas is my first inspiration. Being the oldest of 4 boys (I’m number 3), the rest of us looked up to him for everything. He encouraged me to get a guitar for my 16th birthday and he taught me a few basic chords. Watching his bands play and hearing him writing songs around the house definitely made me want to do the same.
4. DO YOU HAVE AN INDIE RECORD SHOP STORY/MEMORY?
When I was in high school I stumbled upon the Princeton Record Exchange in Princeton, NJ. I was in Princeton because my girlfriend’s (at the time) Father had to do something at the University so we rode along with him to see the town. I wasn’t a big record shopper then and I think I went into the shop out of boredom. I left with a stack of CD’s. I found a lot of American Music club imports and my first Red House Painters record (based on an employee recommendation). That experience had a huge influence on shaping the music I make now.
5. IF YOU WEREN’T A MUSICIAN, WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT RUNNER UP?
I have been romanticizing the idea of being a nurse lately. I feel like people are here to take care of each other and I justify making music because I know how much other musician’s have taken care of me with their songs. Sometimes the touring can be long and really disconnect you from community, which is something I have been wanting more of lately… so nursing seemed like a perfect way to directly care for others and stay in one place for a while. I know the music thing won’t be my profession forever, so I imagine nursing is in my future for sure.
Buy Denison Witmer's CD "Are You a Dreamer?" now and you'll get a free copy of the exclusive "Live at Fingerprints" EP!
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Denison Witmer Discography
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Are You A Dreamer?
Safe Away
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