Biography

Listening to a Denison Witmer song is like recalling a vivid life experience. With each passing note, with each sigh to a tune, a memory evokes, and the beauty of his lyrics leaves each word feeling strategically placed to do so, and do so in a way that makes each piece not only meaningful, but personal to whomever is listening as well.

“I see the beginning of my songwriting as a form of journaling,” Denison explains of his writing, which began shortly after his first guitar purchase at the age of 16. “I had always kept a journal but when I bought a guitar the journaling was shaped over music,” he continues. “Lately I’m more interested in songwriting as a craft / art and my focus is more on creating a moving piece of music with lyrics that can be about anything.”

What has helped in altering that focus is the progression of Witmer from a solo project, in which he has produced 5 full-lengths and an EP, to that of his current release: Denison Witmer and The River Bends, which places the musician in front of a full band, making his usual stripped down style now one of musical magnitude.

“Collaborating can be a challenge and struggle because you need to let go of your selfish motives,” says Denison. “You need to be open to others’ ideas and, ideally, they need to be open to yours. I’m always wanting to challenge myself because it helps me grow…I would be bored doing the same thing over and over again.”

The fusion that resulted between Witmer and his “River Bends” associates, a revolving cast that includes producer and friend Steven Yutzy-Burkey along with members of his own Philadelphia group, One Star Hotel as well as producer Scott French, is a 11-song up-beat production fully titled, “The River Bends and Flows Into the Sea.”

As the title suggests, the theme of the record stems most directly from the idea that each person is not only vital to their individual placement in life, but also on a grand scale as well. It’s “recognizing that you are part of something larger than yourself and embracing (or trying, or wanting to embrace) it.” Denison clarifies, adding, “The entire basis of me forming a band was for this purpose.”

And just as the theme follows, the creation of the River Bends project, from its inception to completion, complies with the pattern as well. “The writing and studio time are just a fragment in time when compared to the fact that the recorded songs will be around for years to come,” Denison comments.

“Some of my favorite music is from the 1970’s…30 years ago! And those songs are still relevant in my daily life. My hope with any music I make is to be creating something with a long term relevance.”