There are few artists who have the courage to step forward with just an acoustic guitar and bare their soul for the whole world to see but Philadelphia, Pa’s Denison Witmer is one of the few. Denison combines thoughtful, caring, observing lyrics with simple acoustic guitar pieces that are the perfect companion to his lyrics. He has released to records, a full length called "Safe Away" (Burnt Toast Vinyl) and an EP called "River Bends" (Velvet Blue Music). We at 1340mag are anxiously awaiting the completion of his third recording , so we thought we should get you up to speed on this fine lad before he becomes a household name………………

By: Mark Fisher
     1340mag

Denison - I taught myself guitar when I was 16. I never really learned anyone elses

songs because I couldn't play well enough to figure them out... so it's safe to

say that I started writing music on the 1st day I picked up the guitar.

1340mag - What artists/events inspired you to start?

Denison - I like music so much and I've always loved listening to bands like The Red

House Painters, Richard Buckner, The Innocence Mission, Gillian Welch, and tons

more. My music has a lot to do with some of those people but in reality my

it's more of a journal of my life. I would've written songs no matter what

bands I've listened to. No one in particular inspired me to start, they just

shaped my sound a bit.

1340mag - Would you consider yourself a "christian" artists? How do you feel about

that tag?

Denison - It's a non-issue to me.

1340mag - Tell us about the record you are working on now.

Denison - I'm currently in Seattle recording a full length record to be released on Burnt

Toast Vinyl. Though it's a little simpler sounding than my other records, it

does have some minor embellishments like drums, bass, and piano. Lyrically it

has to do a lot with living simply, grace, and watching things come and go.

I'm just trying to be patient and make the songs the best they can be... so no

real release date is set. I'm hesitant to say much more (not that I think my

answer has been that informative already) before it's done and I'm prepared to

release it

1340mag - How did you hook up with Burnt Toast Vinyl?

I hooked up with them in Philadelphia, which is where I live. I re-released my

debut album "Safe Away" on Burnt Toast about a year ago. I've known Scott

Hatch (BTV president) for a while and have always really respected him. I

think both of us were just excited about each other and things fell in to

place...

1340mag - Where will Denison Witmer be in 10 years?

Denison - He'll be exactly where he's supposed to be.

1340mag - What kinds of things inspire your lyrics?

Denison - I kept a journal for a long time before I wrote music. After I started playing

guitar, my journal turned into songs... My inspiration comes from my every day

life.

1340mag - What do you see when you look at the world at large in the year 2000?

Denison - I see people struggling, arguing, wasting time and begging over answers to

unanswerable questions. I see Hope (God) that is easily reachable but is

overlooked because it isn't forced.

1340mag - Parting thoughts?

Denison -Thanks for chatting with me a bit.

              ~1340mag