Secluded in a studio somewhere in Quezon City, I patiently (and nervously) wait for Denise Julia. The singer-songwriter, dowsed in her signature dream-like soundscapes and captivating melodies, broke new ground with the release of her debut mini-album, “Sweet Nothings (Chapter 1),” late last year.
The online viral success of her hit B.A.D. resulted in exceptional numbers and inspired numerous dance covers from people in and out of the country. It captured the attention of the likes of Giselle, member of girl group Aespa and a prominent figure in K-Pop, who shared a video of herself dancing to the track.
It’s safe to say she’s just getting started, consistently making a statement with each new project. Denise recently worked with award-winning filmmaker Samantha Lee for the music video of fan-favorite Sugar n’ Spice, a sapphic song she wrote “(because) I had a thing for a pretty masc last year,” as she revealed online.
As I fidget for what feels like an eternity, I hear a familiar voice coming from outside the door. I freeze and compose myself. All eyes are on Denise, who looks straight out of the 2000s. Her voice serenades everyone in the room as she momentarily sings while getting her makeup done.
Unlike other kids who favored watching cartoon shows, Denise paid close attention to MTV, where she discovered the magic of music. Influenced by artists like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, she developed a keen ear for crafting melodies and layering her voice. She also credits ’90s R&B women for shaping her style.
With the success of B.A.D., she's been riding a wave of popularity, accomplishing greater feats with each new release. She tells me that all of this was unexpected for her. Topping charts and reaching new heights was only one of the goals for Denise. “I just really wanted to break barriers, to punch through this kind of box they keep us in.” Her accomplishments thus far have been “nice seeing (it come to) fruition.”
Denise beams with excitement when I congratulate her on the first chapter of “Sweet Nothings.” I shared that it was on repeat while I prepared for our interview, even during my car ride to the studio. As a project packed with hits, it's simply unforgettable.
In the early stages of her music career, she enjoyed songwriting the most. Nowadays, she’s been leaning more towards vocal production, sharing, “I reach like 200 layers in one song.” Layering her vocals is the key to the richer and fuller sound noticeable in her songs. Denise loves the creative process within the recording studio, finding joy in experimentation. "It's fun to play around, and I feel like I have a lot of freedom when I'm in the studio, so I just do whatever."
She reveals that the record was in the works for around three years. Originally imagined as a 14-track album, Denise decided to break it down into chapters, each exploring various facets of love. For this chapter, she wanted to pay tribute to her musical influences; the women who shaped her. And, sneaking in a teaser, she hints at Chapter 2, revealing that it's currently in the works.
When I ask her about her favorite song from the album, Denise finds it difficult to choose but ultimately settles on butterflies (2 a.m. Version). It holds a special place for her because it was quite literally recorded at 2 a.m. with a live band. The live band, she tells me, gives her more room to play around with her vocals, making each performance unique.
I pose a final question to Denise about the impact she hopes to make as she continues to gain recognition both locally and internationally. She opens up about wanting fellow Filipino artists to find their paths more easily, saying, "If someone sees that one was able to make it, it’s easier." She hopes that the success of Filipino artists will pave the way for more opportunities for the country. “That’s really what I wanted ever since I started this whole career.”
Throughout the interview, I piece together a better understanding of her artistry and craftsmanship. One of the things that I notice about Denise is her unwavering passion and dedication to music. She doesn't simply step into the recording booth to churn out a song and call it a day. From conceptualizing her projects to intricately layering vocals, every artistic decision comes after careful consideration. Denise has a clear vision of what she wants and sets goals to achieve precisely that.
Produced by Andrea Panaligan
Photos by Lee Morale
Creative direction by Lei Severino
Styling by Carissa King & Neal Corpus
Make-up by Miz Raffy
Hair by Jonas Lucas
Shot on location at Art by Minaenae
Special thanks to Sony Music Philippines