"dance with me!" has an infectious summer energy. What inspired you to create this particular sound and vibe? Can you tell us about the creative process behind writing them and what message you wanted to convey?
The creation of “dance with me!” came about very unexpectedly. My producer friend started this challenge where they would make an instrumental every day and send it to me. As a huge fan of synth pop, I was immediately drawn to this track. I wrote on it casually, but ended up liking the song way more than I had anticipated. The writing flow was very organic and I was able to finish the lyrics and melody within a few hours. After the producer and I polished the song (and given I haven’t put out music in almost a year), I felt it was the perfect release for summertime. I actually don’t go out that often, but when I do, I love dancing. “dance with me!” is an embodiment of that. The song is upbeat, energetic, and flirty, which contrasts my previous works. It’s so exciting to release something more playful and fun.
What was it like working in the studio to capture that bright, energetic pop sound? Any memorable moments from the recording process?
I’m fortunate enough to attend a music school with recording studios that sound way better than my studio apartment, as well as talented friends who helped me throughout the process. The recording ended up taking multiple sessions because the producer and I wanted to add more layers to give the song a greater spatial dynamic. The most memorable moment during the process was recording with friends. I’m more accustomed to recordings being held in a businesslike fashion, so this was a new experience for me. Their presence and enthusiasm kept the sessions high spirited despite the late hours, and deterred me from getting overly critical about myself, which often happens when I record alone. The energetic atmosphere made for a fun experience which I feel translated into my performance of the song.
Summer anthems have a special place in music culture. What do you hope listeners feel when they hear "dance with me!" during their summer moments?
More than anything, I hope the song will make people want to get up and well… dance! I never thought I would release something as upbeat and bright as “dance with me!”, but I’m excited to see the reaction of the listeners. As I mentioned before, it is so different from my previous releases. I really want “dance with me!” to showcase a different side of my artistry, as well as the progression of my musical style and genre. I’m a person who ties music to specific time periods in life, and I hope those who listen to my music will be able to connect their own experiences and memories to the song.
Congratulations on your first songwriting credits for OX:N's "Suit & Tie"! How did that collaboration come about?
Thank you so much! The collaboration happened very suddenly when a friend of mine from the group asked if I had written any music recently. He mentioned they were looking for songs for their release and after hearing the group’s concept, I gathered a few friends (who also worked on “dance with me!”), to create something that would suit (haha) OX:N. We wrote the song fairly quickly and sent the demo, which they loved. Everything moved so fast after that. I remember scheduling sessions with the other writers amidst finals week, and staying up late to match time zones to get feedback for the song. The process was hectic, but my co-writers and I had so much fun making “SUIT & TIE” that we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was all very much so worth it in the end, and we’re delighted with the results!
Writing for a boy group versus writing for yourself as a solo artist - how did those processes differ for you?
When writing for others, my main goal is to write a song that highlights the artist’s strengths. There’s basic factors I take into consideration such as range and technicality, but for K-Pop, I focus heavily on the performance aspect and part distribution. For boy groups in particular, the songs are often rhythmic and intense, so the melodies need to support the energy and progression of the song. Having my own background in K-Pop helps tremendously because I can envision myself performing the song to hone in on what the writing needs to bring.
I would say the biggest difference when writing for myself is the intention. More often, I’ll use songwriting as a way to express feelings I struggle to put into words, but I don’t always write from a place of emotion. I also write more lighthearted songs that draw from my own and others experiences in the same way. When I write for myself, I don’t necessarily write for the purpose of releasing, as opposed to writing K-Pop, where the songs are typically being made with the intention of release.
What was your reaction when you first heard OX:N's final version of "Suit & Tie"? How did it feel to hear your songwriting brought to life by other artists?
I was so amazed! I loved hearing how each member brought their own unique style to the song, especially with the part distribution. Their vocals on “SUIT & TIE” added so much energy and power, and I couldn’t be happier with the final result. Seeing my name in the credits felt unreal, and it gave me a different sense of fulfillment than I get from being the artist on a song. My co-writers and I are so proud and grateful for the opportunity to have such talented artists bring “SUIT & TIE” to life.
Do you see yourself continuing to write for other artists while developing your own music?
Definitely! Although I’ve been songwriting for a long time, I realized over the past few years how fun it is writing for others instead of just myself. There’s so much you can learn and do! I feel there’s a certain pressure around writing for yourself as an artist because the song has to not only be “good”, but suit your voice and artist branding. It’s hard to step away from your brand as an artist sometimes, and writing for others takes that pressure away. When writing for other artists, I’m able to try new things that I wouldn’t be able to otherwise. The process has made me a better writer overall by broadening my horizons and refining my skills.
I would say this past year was definitely a turning point in regards to not only my artistry, but my life. For the last two years, I've been pursuing a degree in music business, songwriting for others, working on my own music, and creating content online. Not to mention the constant struggle of trying to take care of oneself while navigating being a twenty something year old. At some point in dealing with all of this, my artist career was placed on the backburner. I think I’ve finally reached a point where I’m able to balance the different areas of my life, instead of feeling like I’m juggling them. I have a better sense of structure now, which gives me the freedom to try new things and do more of what I’m passionate about. I’ve been incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented individuals, some of whom have become close friends of mine. These relationships and experiences encouraged me to explore new possibilities and start creating again, as well as overcome old fears and doubts.
Can you give us any hints about what's next? Are there more singles coming, or are you working toward a larger project like an EP or album?
To be honest, I don't even know what’s next half the time! In all seriousness though, I do want to release more music. Long-time fans of mine know I say this almost every time I’m asked (so sorry about that!), but this time I really do mean it. I feel I have a pretty good grasp on where my life will be for the next year or so (hopefully), so I have plans to make more music and actually release it this time. With that being said, more singles to come this year! I would love to release a full album, but I want to do it when I’m able to devote more time and energy (I still have final exams), so that would be further down the line. Until then, I’m excited to develop my artistry and release more music for listeners to hear!
Do you have a message to your fans who are always supporting you?
I love my Trulys! I love each and every one of them so dearly. I always feel so apologetic towards them because I don’t frequent social media that often, meaning I don’t update much. Not to mention, I have a bad habit of releasing one song a year. That being said, their unwavering support never fails to amaze me. I am so incredibly blessed to have them and want them to know how special they are to me. Hopefully if I’m able to tour in the future, I can see them in person and say all of this. It’s been a long journey till now, and no words can begin to express my gratitude to them for staying with me through it all. I can’t promise I’ll be more active on social media, but I can promise there’s more music on the way! Thank you for everything. You make me. 🦋
Follow DENISE
Instagram @denisekimsays Twitter @denisekimsays Tiktok @denisekimsays
YouTube @deniseksays