Denise Marsa’s new album, PIVOTAL, marks a significant milestone in her prolific career as an award-winning singer-songwriter and keyboardist. This year, she released “Kiss Me in the Rain,” whose Until Dawn Remix reached #6 on the UK Music Week Commercial Club Charts, and “Rainbow” (Until Dawn Remix), celebrating love and inclusivity during Pride Month. PIVOTAL encapsulates Marsa’s years of dedication, showcasing her versatility with a diverse mix of genres. Known for her innovative blend of alt-indie pop, Marsa started her label, KeyMedia Group, in 1998, releasing her debut solo album “Self” to stellar reviews.

Marsa’s career began in NYC, performing in clubs and achieving early success with “Lucky Stars” and The Flirts’ “Helpless (You Took My Love).” She secured deals with Warner Bros UK and Warner Chappell US, later forming her band in Los Angeles and focusing on independent releases. Recently, Marsa signed with BMG Publishing US and debuted her one-woman show “The Pass,” winning the Best Concert Award at the 2021 United Solo Festival. Today we dive into her latest video for “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet (Until Dawn Remix)” which Denise shares insight into below!

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically in this way?

I believe certain spirits of those who have passed on linger, impacting us with their words or actions. This song is about those past spirits meeting our current spirit. I used a strobe light in the music video to create a dreamy, magical effect, signifying life and afterlife. It represents not giving up and still being in the game, speaking to myself and others who might feel like giving up. The first line of the song is inspired by my late mom Flora: “As if you were here, I can hear you telling me, girl, you can do anything you set your mind to.” I dedicated the video to her, performing center stage in all black, focusing on my face and words to emphasize the message.

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Inspired by classic films and often watching TCM, I aimed for a film noir vibe—contained, center stage, with stark lighting focusing on my face and lyrics. Wearing shades added a foreign film touch, like a 50s French movie star, fitting as I was named after French actress Denise Darcel. The counting part of the song was spontaneous and unrehearsed, reflecting the natural songwriting process.

3. What was the process of making this video?

I conceived the idea of shooting in two locations and called my frequent collaborator, photographer and videographer Bill Westmoreland, who lives nearby in the West Village. He liked my ideas, and we used his strobe light. We filmed me walking into my studio, presenting myself as tired and discouraged. Then, at his studio, we shot with the strobe light and dark setup, focusing on my face and singing. We did three takes, and I edited the video myself, mainly using the first take for its raw and real feel. The video includes images like me sitting on a block with my head down, a ship of ghosts representing those who have passed, and scenes of people on stairs symbolizing the ongoing struggle of life and dreams.

Thank you for this opportunity!