CultureLoad

Interview with Denali Gillaspie

Discover a young singer/ songwriter with a great voice from Northern California.

CL: Hello Denali, welcome on CultureLoad! You are one of the newest musicians here and we are glad to welcome another artist from Northern California. It would be nice if you can introduce yourself first:

Denali Gillaspie: My name is Denali Gillaspie. I was born and raised in darling little San Anselmo, CA in the Bay Area. I am 18 years old and have been playing music for most of those years. I’m currently taking a year off before starting college to travel through South East Asia and get a taste of other parts of the world. I’ve taken a travel guitar with me traveling so my fingers won’t get restless when they crave to play. I smile a lot and love the ocean, hiking through mountains (after all, I’m named after the highest mountain in all of North America), babysitting the wonderful kids in my neighborhood, pretending like I know how to cook, and singing in the shower.

CL: When was the first time you got in contact with music? And how was that?

Denali Gillaspie: It was sometime during babyhood. I would always sing and dance whenever doing anything. From the time I was knee-height, I was singing songs through the kitchen before, during, and after dinner, humming to myself in centerfield when I had softball games, and after my parents signed me up for piano lessons, I would go into my elementary school’s library and play piano during recess and lunch. There was never a conscious decision made about music as a kid, it’s just what I did. (How funny, that rhymes.)

CL: What instruments do you play? Do/did you take any lessons? Any vocal lessons, too? And how about songwriting? Did you learn it by yourself?

Denali Gillaspie: I play guitar, piano, vocal chords, and in 4th and 5th grade, I was forced to play the flute. I was always in singing groups as a kid, which progressed to classical piano lessons (which I wasn’t such a fan of). The woman got me playing the guitar was Susie Davis, who was my piano and voice teacher as a kid. One day, she brought out her electric guitar and put it in an open tuning, so I could just strum and feel like I was a rockstar, so I went home and asked for a guitar for my birthday. I’ve studied voice for brief stints with several people, Jane Sharp being the most recent teacher. Sophomore year of high school she gave me only a few lessons, but they made a difference for me. Since my parents were always supportive of my music, my mom would drive me for 45 minutes to Berkeley, CA once every two weeks for songwriting lessons Sophomore year of high school. Caren Armstrong and I would go over the songs I created and work out the kinks, or appreciate the kinks, just be free with structuring and restructuring songs. I can’t say I learned how to play music by myself, I’ve had loads of help and support.

CL: Is music for you profession or passion?

Denali Gillaspie: Right now, it’s a passion. However, if that can start paying for the bills, then I’d be happy to start calling it a profession. haha.

CL: Have you ever been interested in signing a label contract or do you prefer to stay independent completely?

Denali Gillaspie: Of course I’d be interested in signing a label contract. Recently, my music has been promoted and supported by When It Hits Records (with much thanks to Victoria Collins), which has been a dream. It’s been nice to have people teaching me, recording my music, and helping to get it out there, so I guess being completely independent just ain’t my style.

CL: What about live performances? Are you playing many concerts at the moment and where are you performing?

Denali Gillaspie: Well, I’m in Vietnam right now and haven’t set up too many gigs between my daily schedule of volunteering to teach English, so there aren’t any shows at the moment. When I’m in Northern California, I love playing at the Sweetwater Station with Still Time, having humble shows in cafes and stores in Marin County, and of course, the annual Fairfax Festival always hosts laid-back music shows. Some of the most rewarding gigs I play are organized through Bread and Roses, a non-profit organization which brings free, live entertainment to people who couldn’t otherwise receive it.

CL: Let’s switch the topic a bit and have a look at the future: what are your plans for 2009/2010?

Denali Gillaspie: This is the best part about my plan right now: there is no plan. I’m enrolled to go to Colorado College in the fall of 2009, but doing all of this traveling has gotten hold of my heart, and I may never come home! (At least, maybe not in 2009-2010.)

CL: Last but not least: what is your current most favorite musician/band on CultureLoad and what is your most favorite song here (beside yours)?

Denali Gillaspie: I’m a huge fan of anything Still Time makes, but that goes without saying. I went through some artists on CultureLoad, and found Loudog, who I hadn’t heard before. But I got to listening to “Burn Down the Castle” and was dancing in my chair. I like feel-good music, and you’ve got plenty of that at CultureLoad. Thanks so much for the interview, enjoy the tunes.

You would like to get in contact with Denali?

Please feel free to visit her profile and drop a message: Denali’s profile

Listen to her music: Denali’s songs