With the release of his genre-hopping debut album, Slum Beach Denny, it’s time to add DENM to the storied list of Southern California’s musical ambassadors. And like his most recent predecessors- Slightly Stoopid and Sublime- the twenty-something musician, songwriter, and producer drops plenty of hazy daze optimism into his melting pot of youth culture and life experience, emerging with a 21st century soundtrack from SoCal’s sun-kissed sand, surf, and streets. “It might look overnight to some people,” says DENM, “but I’ve been working.”
Working, first as a producer, most recently as a songwriter and musician, DENM has been a highly sought-after creative force in the indie music scene for over a decade. He’s evolved, thankfully and successfully, from years as an admittedly troubled teen bouncing from beach town to beach town. And, as much as itinerant residencies in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Isla Vista marked his personal narrative, they also fostered deeply authentic and eclectic sources of inspiration for the budding artist.
The Elovaters are one of the fastest rising groups in the American reggae scene. It’s an ascension that’s come through constant touring in support of acts like Stick Figure, Pepper and Ziggy Marley to eventually headlining clubs throughout the country. In 2020, the group’s monthly Spotify listeners grew 606%. It would be a high watermark that kept the group in good spirits despite having to spend over a year off the road.
Drummer Nicholas Asta said that year away was good for the group. The Elovaters went into the studio with producer Johnny Cosmic at Great Stone Studios space in Oakland, CA, spending 16 days of recording in the compound. “It definitely catered to us being the most creative that we’ve ever been in the studio,” Asta said.
“Usually we are feeling rushed and on the clock. This time we had so much extra time that we’d take a riff that Johnny [‘Blaze’ Alves] wrote while we were making tacos. Johnny was just writing a riff and Jackson [Wetherbee] was pouring margaritas. And that’s how ‘Margaritas’ started.”
“Margaritas” (featuring St. Maarten reggae group Orange Grove) is the second single off the group’s forthcoming album, Castles. Nestled into a kick-back groove, “Margaritas” is an off-the-clock anthem that reflects the ease the group discovered in the studio. The single immediately earned placement on Spotify’s Beach Vibes playlist. Singer and guitarist Jackson Wetherbee said it’s the group’s “most eclectic album they’ve ever done.”
The Elovaters have played noteworthy reggae festivals like Cali Roots, Levitate Music Festival, Reggae Rise Up Florida and Utah, and One Love Cali Reggae Fest. Catch them on tour at theelovaters.com. -Blake Gillespie
CYDEWAYS is opening the show.
Cydeways is an Alternative Rock/Reggae band fronted by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Parks who is originally from Boston, MA. He made the move out to Los Angeles, CA to pursue Cydeways as more than just a basement project. He later found residency in Santa Barbara, CA and overtime solidified his band, rounded out by drummer Casey Kernohan, Ryan Loui on Bass, Jeremy Baker on guitar, Trevor Buckingham as producer/engineer with Dana Shoults on keys/co-production.
