Dennis Stuck In My Ways Interview

Rising Gold Coast artist DENNIS. is thrilled to release her new single, 'Stuck In My Ways' - a heart-on-sleeve account of moving in with a partner for the first time. DENNIS. says:

"'All your fears and worries suddenly are thrown in your face and there is nowhere to hide. However in my experience you realise that your new home is not so much about that four letter code and how you fit into this new world together, instead your home is the person you share this new way of living life with."

Underpinned by a timeless groove and pulsing beat, 'Stuck In My Ways' sees DENNIS. showcase her soulful vocals atop a delightful indie pop instrumental.

The track was written by Olivia Dennis (DENNIS.) and Cam Nacson, and produced by Tom Eggert, with mixing by Jarryd Shuker and mastering by George Georgiadis.

Interview with DENNIS.

Question: How would you describe your music?

DENNIS.: Relatable in a sense that it sounds familiar, but you can't quite name a similar artist. That's the key! It's definitely a "big energy" vibe at the moment but the way my songwriting is heading I think you'll find a more softer intimate side to DENNIS.


Question: Can you tell us about Stuck In My Ways?

DENNIS.: Stuck In My Ways is about moving in with a partner for the first time. All your fears and worries suddenly are thrown in your face and there is nowhere to hide. However in my experience you realise that your new home is not so much about that four letter code and how you fit into this new world together, instead your home is the person you share this new way of living life with.

I wrote SIMW with Cam Nacon and got Tom Eggert to bring that track to life in Production. The whole experience from start to finish was super reflective for me; I wrote the song before I moved in with my partner and then finished it after living with my partner for 12 months. It also happened to work out that both Cam and Tom are married and were able to reassure me that living with your partner only gets better the longer you live with them. Thanks guys <3


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

DENNIS.: JUST BE YOURSELF! I'm trying to take my own advice and care a little less, stop worrying about what I can't control and remembering to be present with myself.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

DENNIS.: I am a true performer. Preforming live is the reason I make music, it is the reason I want this gig to be my full time job. Whenever I write or record music, the only thing I am thinking about is how is this going to sound live? Will it have the same energy, the same feeling? Will I be able to pitch that really high note without sounding like a drowning cat?


Question: Can we expect any upcoming shows?

DENNIS.: You definitely can! Right now, they are unannounced so you will have to keep a look out, but trust me the wait won't be long!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

DENNIS.: I wouldn't say there is something that motivates me most when writing music. Writing music can definitely be like 1, 2, 3 or its more a vibe or it can be like thinking a loud about something you feel so strongly about. For me I work best when I write with others and it usually works out being a combination of vibe and thinking out loud. But I also find myself writing when I'm working my dreaded day job and I know I can't work on music. Which is kind of annoying, but I pretty much work on autopilot; my body does the job and my mind gets creative with music. It's like multi-tasking at its finest I suppose?


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

DENNIS.: I am loving Sloan Peterson, Middle Kids, Nat King Cole and Greatest Hits.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
DENNIS.: I feel like my parents more or less signed me up when they first took me to singing lessons at 10. I knew pretty early on that I wanted to be a preforming artist and I just happened to be very fortunate that I could sing.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

DENNIS.: I mean I keep thinking who would be fun to get up on stage with and perform. So with that in mind collaborating with Confidence Man would be super epic!


Question: How does it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

DENNIS.: Crazy! I either feel super embarrassed like my Dad has just showcased me at some big family dinner or I look around to tell someone it's me playing but realise that I don't know them and they don't know me and oh boy it can get a little awkward sometimes. I just take it all in like I'm never going to hear my music on the radio again! Overall it's a fun time.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

DENNIS.: Shooting music videos hands down! It's so much fun feel like I'm a Hollywood star on a big movie set. Except I just did my own hair and makeup at 5am in the morning, drove two hours to the location and there is no catering because I spent all my budget on a pair of shoes that you don't even see in the video. In saying that, we all have to start somewhere, and I'm excited to look back on my music videos as my career progresses, and I finally get to make that big budget music video that I'm sure Hollywood has been waiting for!


Question: What's a typical day like?

DENNIS.: So I have a day job for two and half days a week and I work on music two and half days a week! A work day starts at 5.30am, I make coffee till 4pm, write some lyrics while grinding beans, send some emails on my lunch break and the head to the gym straight after.
When it comes to music days each day is different, depending on whether it's an email day, content day, recording day or writing day. A music writing day starts at around 9am, first there is coffee, next there is a catch up and a bit of music stalk on Instagram. Then if I'm in a session with another writer/producer we will show each other some beats/ideas we have been working on and before you know it we are HUNGRY. So we break to eat, realise its 3pm and we haven't even gotten a chorus, we head back to the studio and smash out a track by 4pm. Day done by 4.30 and almost always feeling really inspired to make music day every day of the week!


Question: What's next, for you?

DENNIS.: Well I would like to think I'll release an album one day so if I keep working hard and play my cards right just maybe that day will be here soon. That and it's my birthday this month!


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

DENNIS.: Click here for my music and socials.


Interview by Gwen van Montfort