Introducing #182 - Denis Coleman
Let us introduce you to singer songwriter Denis Coleman, who has just released his new single ‘pillowTHOUGHTS’ via AWAL. This latest single of his sees him steering towards the energetic pop-punk genre with distorted guitars and explosive percussion sounds. He took a moment to talk to us childhood, living in London and how his track came together.
Hey there Denis, how are you? So your new track ‘pillowTHOUGHTS’ is out now, can you tell us what it is about?
Hey, thanks so much for having me! I wrote pillowTHOUGHTS about the night-induced overthinking that comes after a lost relationship - that strange balance of wanting to leave the past behind but finding a hollow comfort in reminiscing about what could have been. I wanted to capture the self-sabotage of this romanticising in all its beautiful ugliness, the way it preys on anxieties and discolors happiness. I tried to convey how all-encompassing these thoughts could be, making each line of the chorus bleed into the next like thoughts cascading through the mind as the lyrics become increasingly extreme and panicked. But I also needed to illustrate the pleasure and solace found in the pain, and few genres have captured that dichotomy more poignantly than punk rock. As a result, I drew heavily on a variety of punk influences old and new when I was producing the track with my co-producer Elyar, a collaborative process that lasted several months. Looking back, I think this song - to me - might be more about the pre-pandemic era than any individual person. Truth is, we’ve all lost someone or something. The only question left is how do we choose to move forward?
You were born in New Jersey but now live in London, what journey led you there? What are your favorite things to do in London?
I was very young when my family moved, only six years old. It all felt very exciting, adventurous and unknown. Having been in London for twelve years now, I’ve truly come to know and love the city. From walks in Hampstead Heath to outings with friends in Camden, Soho, Southbank to performing at iconic venues like Royal Albert Hall and the O2 Arena, there are so many things I love to do in this incredible city.
Music came to you at a young age, where you learned to play violin and began writing songs from the age of ten. What are your fondest memories when it comes to music from your childhood?
There were a lot of firsts - writing my first piece of music, making my first beat, crafting my first song. Perhaps most of all however, it was discovering the cathartic power of music. I began to understand, on a subconscious level, that I could use music to regulate and stabilise my mental health. I was able to take the pain of difficult experiences and translate it into an art piece - something genuine and honest but that was separate from me.
What are your key influences when it comes to your music?
Heartfelt, poignant, contemporary lyrics (Conan Gray, Lauv, ROLE MODEL)
Nostalgic but sonically fresh soundscapes
(The Weeknd, Joji, Renforshort)
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to your music before?
Happy songs about sad stuff :’)
Now your track is out there, what next for you?
We go again! I’m already working towards finalising the next single and building to an EP release later this year. I’m also starting to conceptualise my upcoming in-person live shows - touring with HRVY in October and the 202 and Here At Last in November. And of course constantly questioning and refining my sound identity - how can I best represent an honest portrait of myself and my generation?