Photo Credit: Chase Denton
What do car fresheners, Martin Lawrence, and the Opry have in common? All of those are mentioned at some capacity below as we hit the road with Country artist, Denitia as we talk about all of the above and then some, including her new album, ‘Sunset Drive.’ The new album is out now, and everyone can catch Denitia on tour with Mickey Guyton through early November. So let’s not waste any more time and get to it!
Kendra: You’d lived a life in Nashville before heading to New York. Was there anything that transpired while up north that made you want to head back, or was it just one of those gut feelings like, yeah – it’s time that I relocate and calibrate this thing called life?
Denitia: Once I moved out of Brooklyn up to the Hudson Valley during the pandemic, my NYC chapter came to a close. As I released my album ‘Highways’ during that time, Nashville started to make the most sense as a home base starting my new journey in Americana and Country music.
Kendra: We’ll talk more about ‘Sunset Drive’ in a second, but first I wanted to get into “Getting’ Over.” Growing up in a double-wide trailer with a single mother who had her fair share of addictions in a town that felt more like an obstacle than a home, I know all too well the struggles life can present and that constant feeling of barely making it through one day to the next. My mom always said that the BS we go through makes us stronger and if we didn’t struggle we wouldn’t quite appreciate when life was good. Do you think there’s any truth to that?
Denitia: I appreciate you sharing a bit of your story. Having that perspective that without struggle, we might not know joy, is a beautiful alchemy for hard times. But I would hope that we, just as people, wouldn’t always have to experience pain just to know joy. It certainly does help us appreciate the good times though when we’ve known what’s hard.
Kendra: Now back to the album as a whole, one whose title is inspired by the New York sunsets. Thinking of the nostalgic smells of “Back to You” and the “Lavender Coast,” I’d love to know if ‘Sunset Drive’ were to inspire a line of car fresheners – what scent would it be based on the overall vibes of the record?
Denitia: Haha, this is such a good angle. I’ve used the road as such a strong metaphor in my records so this makes so much sense. For scent and vibe, I always look to natural, earthy, grounding but uplifting scents. So it would definitely be a blend of hinoki wood, sage, and maybe a hint of citrus. But definitely a tree-forward scent.
Kendra: Sticking with nostalgia, you’ve had music featured on some past shows like ‘Broad City’ and ‘Dear White People.’ Both were beloved by many, especially millennials – arguably the most nostalgic generation. Would love to know what TV shows and records make you immediately want to ditch the present and run towards the past?
Denitia: Yeah, television has become such a common ground for generations and certain cultures. Now I will say, I hardly ever want to run toward the past, no matter how nostalgic I get – and I get very nostalgic. But I was just watching a few episodes of ‘Martin’ recently that made me laugh heartily, it’s also such a time capsule for Black pop culture, fashion, humor, slang… things like that feel so relevant and fresh in the moment but the past always becomes a relic, a monument to who we were.
Kendra: In the present, you’ve got to be part of the Black Opry Revue. The conversation about Black artists in Country has been a hot topic in recent years, but I think when we add that layer of being a Black woman in country music, in America at any given moment – that’s another story. However, it feels like with most things, Black women are leading the pack when it comes to showing the world that country music doesn’t just look one way and you’re even touring soon with one of those women who’s been a huge part of said conversations, Mickey Guyton. Has being part of the Black Opry Revue given you the type of support you’d been looking for in the industry?
Denitia: Yes, I’m actually on tour with Mickey Guyton as I write this, we just did the first date in DC last night and it was incredible! I have loved being a part of the Black Opry these past couple of years, the community I find with the artists involved in that collective has been invaluable. The community that I crave artistically is one that is prolific, diverse, and inspiring – I definitely am fortunate to feel like I get that and I’m also contributing to it.
Kendra: Like you mentioned, you’re on the road with Mickey Guyton this fall. Are you playing anywhere that’s been on your bucket list?
Denitia: I love getting to so many cities and getting to share space and songs with folks all over. But I’m extra excited about playing in NYC again this time around just because I’ve loved that city for so much of my life, it’ll be dope to touch base with my people there – new fans and day ones.
Kendra: Time for a side note – With us entering the fall months, I’d love for you to share a song that puts you in an Autumn state of mind…
Denitia: I’m standing right now outside at the Nashville airport, just getting back from a tour date in DC. It’s about 68 degrees, cloudy, and there’s a cool breeze blowing. As soon as this chill hits the air, I love to open my windows at home, get rid of the AC, and drink hot tea, and listen to records. That is pretty definitive of my lifestyle in general but it certainly gets me in the Fall mood.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Sunset Drive’ out now and tour dates already on the books – what can fans be on the lookout for as we inch closer to 2025?
Denitia: For sure, I’m so stoked that ‘Sunset Drive’ is out now. Folks can expect for me to be on the road, bringing the songs to people live and in person. And more tour dates are getting sorted for early next year so definitely look out for that!
