With their debut single released today, five-piece DENYM are bringing dual lead vocals, infectious energy and a distinctly British identity to country music. CountryMusic.co.uk caught up with the band to discover how they came together, the story behind their first release and their ambitions for the UK country scene.
There’s a new name emerging on the British country music scene. Five-piece DENYM release their debut single, Without Sound, today (16 October), introducing a country-pop sound built around male and female lead vocals, big harmonies and a shared determination to create something distinctly their own.
With a second single planned for November and a London show at The Water Rats on 23 November, the band are already looking beyond their first release. But while contemporary country music provides plenty of inspiration, DENYM are determined to develop an identity that reflects their own experiences rather than simply following what’s coming out of Nashville.
“We never went into this with the intention of emulating Nashville artists – if anything, we wanted to show how country music can have a very genuine British twist,” Chloe and Elijah tell CountryMusic.co.uk.
From C2C to DENYM
The band’s story began at C2C Festival earlier this year, when drummer John and guitarist James met while working as session musicians for country artist Jeorgia Rose. Their shared enthusiasm for country and pop sparked the idea of starting a new band, and the line-up quickly began taking shape.
Vocalist Elijah was recruited through social media and brought experienced touring bassist Chloe into the group. The final piece was Gracie, whose arrival gave DENYM the dual male and female lead vocals they had wanted from the outset.
“We knew from the start that we wanted both a male and female vocalist as we loved the idea of having big on-stage harmonies,” Chloe and Gracie explain.
“Everything just clicked from that moment on.”
The five members bring experience of touring, songwriting, session work and solo careers, with those different backgrounds helping to shape a sound they describe as organic and still evolving.
Even the name reflects their desire to combine familiarity with individuality. Denim, they explain, is timeless, recognisable and woven into music and popular culture. Changing the ‘i’ to a ‘y’ gave them a name that felt both classic and distinctly their own.
The Story Behind DENYM’s Debut Single
For their first introduction to the public, DENYM have chosen a song that’s been through numerous versions before reaching the finished recording released today.
“This song has been in the works for such a long time now,” Chloe, Gracie and Elijah explain. “It’s gone through so many different versions, but it’s in a place now where we’re all so happy with it and feel like it encapsulates the DNA of DENYM.”
Without Sound explores the familiar uncertainty of two people who have feelings for each other but neither wants to make the first move. Both are left wondering whether the attraction is mutual or simply something they’ve imagined.
At the heart of the song is the phrase “there ain’t no party without sound”, which the band describe as having two meanings. It’s their own variation on “no smoke without fire”, but also a reminder that unless somebody is prepared to speak up, nothing can move forward.
“It’s such a feel good, fun song and we can’t wait to play it live,” they say.
“It feels like a good introduction of what’s to come from us.”
— Chloe, Gracie & Elijah, DENYM
Songwriting is very much a collective effort. Sometimes Gracie and Elijah develop demos together, while other ideas emerge individually or through sessions involving the whole band. Everyone contributes as songs evolve from their earliest recordings into finished tracks.
“Often a song will change so much from the first voice memo to the end product and the band are all involved one way or another throughout every step,” Elijah, James and Gracie explain.
Finding a British Identity in Country Music
DENYM are arriving at an interesting moment for country music in Britain. The audience for the genre has expanded considerably, while a growing number of homegrown artists are establishing careers without feeling obliged to imitate their American counterparts.
Having attended numerous country festivals and live shows across the UK, the members have witnessed the growth of the scene first-hand, along with the sense of community that has developed around it.
“We’ve seen first-hand how rapidly the community is growing and what a wonderful community it is,” say Chloe and Elijah.
Rather than setting out to occupy a particular position within that scene, the band believe their identity will emerge naturally through the music they make.
“We just want to be as authentic and true to ourselves as possible without putting too much weight or pressure onto where we want to put ourselves.”
It’s an approach that recognises the influence of American country music while leaving room for distinctly British experiences, perspectives and storytelling.
“Lyrically our songs are rooted in our own stories and I think if we just release music that feels like us, we’ll naturally find our place and our crowd.”
— Chloe & Elijah, DENYM
That confidence in their own identity could prove important as DENYM begin introducing themselves to audiences who have an increasingly wide choice of British country artists to discover.
From the Studio to The Water Rats
While today’s single marks DENYM’s recording debut, the band are already looking towards their next important milestone: bringing their music to the stage.
On 23 November, DENYM will play The Water Rats in London, with a second single also expected around that time.
For a group formed by musicians with substantial experience of performing and touring, the live show is clearly central to their ambitions.
The band have recently returned from four days of rehearsals in the north of England, working through a set designed to showcase more than one side of their music.
“The set list is also super diverse – it’ll have people dancing and jumping around one minute and then crying the next (for the right reasons hopefully).”
— Elijah, James & John, DENYM
It’s a telling description of what DENYM want to achieve. The upbeat, feel-good energy of their debut release may provide the first impression, but the band are equally keen to demonstrate their ability to deliver more emotional moments.
And they’re determined that audiences should leave feeling they’ve experienced something more than a conventional gig.
“We don’t want it to ever just feel like ‘another gig’, it’s going to be a proper night out and a show that people can really remember!”
