Review Fix Exclusive: SJ Denny Talks Creative Process, Goals And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter SJ Denny, who discusses his latest work, origin in music, creative process and more.

Review Fix: How did the project start? 

Denny:  I’d been in various bands and done a lot of touring.  However, I wanted to move in a different direction creatively and have a bit more control.  So it made sense to become a solo artist.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?  

Denny:  If you’d have asked me this about two years ago, it would have been a simple answer.  Back then, I always picked up a guitar and wrote some chords, which triggered a melody.  By the time the chorus came, I’d let the melody lead the guitar.  That process always worked for me, and it still does.  However, more recently I’ve written on different instruments, such as the piano and the bouzouki.

On my last EP and the one I have coming out later this year, I’ve started writing some songs by just singing them.  Then I rely on my ears to find the chords.  I’m also working on some new music and a couple of the songs have been written to a drumbeat.  This has been really liberating, as it’s made me feel like I’m in a band again, having a jam.  Oddly, exactly the thing I walked away from.  All of these methods have helped me to further diversify the songs I’m writing.

They seem to be the formulas that I’m using at the moment.  But in terms of inspiration, it literally comes from anywhere and everywhere.  I’ve been inspired by love, moving house, changing jobs, emails from people, COVID-19.  The list goes on and on.  I still write songs most days.  It’s just what I do.

Review Fix: What’s your standout song? How was it written?  

Denny:  This answer always changes, and I’ll usually pick my latest work.  I think that’s quite common for songwriters.  If I try to look at it from the sidelines, I think one of my strongest songs is ‘The Unsung Hero’.

It was written on the guitar.  I’d got a new partial capo, which basically changes the tuning of your guitar (as it only covers some of the strings).  Having seen lots of memes about Boris Johnson having a shocker with a capo, I decided that I should actually try to play some notes behind the capo (as it was only a partial one, unlike his!).

The song was written fairly quickly (about 15-20 minutes), which is common for me.  They tend to come pouring out.  I’d also just listened to ‘Wildflowers’ by Tom Petty for the first time, so I think that came across in the music.  I instantly knew I wanted to add a clarinet solo to song.  This really excited me, as the clarinet was my first instrument.

The lyrics are a tribute to my wife.  As always, I never really understand what my songs are about until after the event.

The song evolved even more in the studio with The Animal Farm.  It ended up having some great (Neil Young style) guitar hooks.  I’m really proud of it.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021? 

Denny:  Like most artists, I want to get back on the road as soon as possible.  And like a lot of artists, I’m a bit of a pessimist, so I’m not convinced by the current roadmap, but that’s another story.  Aside from that, I’ll continue to write, as that’s the only way you get better. Well, that and performing.

I’ve just released a new single called ‘The Sticking Point’.  Then I’ve got another single and EP in the pipeline.  Hopefully they’ll help to further increase my fanbase, and get a bit of a movement going on for when I return to the stage.

Review Fix: How do you want your music to affect people? 

Denny:  First and foremost, I want them to tap their feet and sing along.  I work hard on my melodies and grooves as music is infectious (probably a poor choice of words, given the current situation). I just want people to connect with the music. They can laugh, dance, cry.  It doesn’t matter, as long as it makes them feel something.  And the beauty of music is that doesn’t have to be the same thing I felt when writing it.

Review Fix: What’s next? 

Denny:  I’ve got another single coming out in May.  I think it’s a pretty cool song and it’s got an awesome saxophone solo.  Then they’ll be an EP later in the year.  I’m already deep into the next project too, and that’s taking shape really nicely.  I’d expect that material to come out in early 2021.