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Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your new song “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet”?
It is an ode to my mom. She always told me I could do anything I set my mind to and one day, as I was working on the album ‘PIVOTAL’ I began to hear her saying that in my head. It was a type of encouragement, as she is no longer alive, so I remembered her voice and her words. I was about to embark on a serious undertaking with the new album. It helped to push me forward!
I wrote the song for everyone who is thinking of giving up or has given up. Stay in the game or get back into the game. Do not believe it is over, for you or your dreams and goals. If you are down on yourself for any reason or with any part of life, perhaps because of bad decisions, poor judgment, don’t beat yourself up, turn it around. Believe you can do it. In my experience, there has been a sense of defeat in the air; maybe we are still recovering from the pandemic and how it affected us all, long term. I wanted to supply a little bit of hope and faith through the song.
How would you describe the style and genre of “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet”?
Well, the album version has kind of a funky alt- jazz, big band, slightly beats-oriented vibe. It’s funny, having to explain the tracks is not as easy as one might think. The remix is more aggressive, intentionally. It’s high energy, pulsating, alt-pop-dance, infectious and very Until Dawn, who are the remixers. The kind of track that keeps you going, thinking, moving, dancing, doing.
Could you walk us through the process of creating this song? Any interesting anecdotes or challenges you faced?
It just showed up, as my songs do, as I was thinking about the goals ahead. One thing, I like to run in place for exercise. When I run, I do a certain amount of running steps which I count out loud. I think that is where the counting in the title came from. When I had the title, and started working on the song, the counting of the numbers poured out as I was laying down my first vocals. BTW, the vocals on the album are the demo vocals. I did sing them again in the studio in LA, however Janosch Roth, (Lautstumm Studios, Germany) and I much preferred the original vocals that I had recorded, so they stayed.
The title suggests a message of resilience or empowerment. Can you elaborate on the themes explored in the lyrics?
Yes, you are spot on. I am not so much exploring in this song, as I do in other songs on ‘PIVOTAL’ – I can be a bit cryptic at times, however on this track it’s all about hitting the nail on the head. Your relationship with yourself is what will separate you from everyone else. It’s no wonder I titled my first self-released album SELF. I knew from a very young age; we rely on ourselves. We come into this world on our own and we leave that same way. Since this song was released, I have thought about myself as a young girl, and my belief in this concept and have shared this with others. I have stayed close to home, in many ways. Home being the core of me.
Are there personal experiences that influenced the writing of this song?
Yes, my mom instilled this in me (you can do anything you set your mind to). As a young woman as I started working on my career as a musician, singer-songwriter, and if I was discouraged, that was what she said. It’s also a reminder, as I was working on “PIVOTAL’, that my own voice in my head is what will lead me forward. That this is my life, I must make and follow its map.
How does “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet” fit into your overall musical journey and evolution as an artist?
It’s an eclectic song, I mix genres, and this one has a universal message. I have written these types of songs before, however not as much lately. One thing that is different is that this is the first album I ever wrote, as a solo person, as in not in a relationship. No relationship or partner, or lover. A different sensibility overall as an artist. Perhaps less withdrawn, more inclusive, more universal in my reaching out.
How do you envision your audience connecting with this song, both through listening and watching the music video?
I hope they are entertained and inspired to be active in their lives. Whatever it is they do, do it, be in it. Don’t stop. Doing gives us purpose. That ‘doing’ is what separates us from other living beings that survive, eat, and procreate. Yes, we do those things too, ha! — however we also are stunningly productive and mindful, thoughtful in our quest for what makes the world spin and how we spin with it and how we progress. We search, we explore, we have so many questions and seek answers. We are a progressive species after all.
What can fans expect next from Denise Marsa? Any upcoming projects or collaborations on the horizon?
I want to focus on ‘PIVOTAL’ for the rest of the year. As an indie label, KeyMedia Group has only this commitment for 2024. It will take me/us time to share the album, in a way that is organic and genuine. We build, and then we watch, and learn and then we build some more, day by day we build. Knowing people are listening to my music makes me happy and fulfilled. If I wrote music just for myself, why would I ever release it.
Is there a particular direction or theme you’re eager to explore in your future music?
Yes, meditative. Thank you for asking these thoughtful questions and for your enduring and ongoing support.
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