I am often asked about the reason behind starting my record label KeyMedia Group in 1998.
I got so tired of hearing "NO" I created my own "Yes”.
I love words. + Music.
My work has always been important to me and it’s always been hard to find the balance between work & play. I am getting better at the latter.
In my experience, there is a purity to songwriting, no matter what surrounds it, or supports it, it starts in the soul.
I am by nature altruistic. My ego is then often times inflated. (temporarily)
For me, inspiration is the sincerest form of stimulation.
My songs have kept me going, and my desire to share them is at an all-time high.
I tasted “live” success when I first got started in the music business. I was young, relatively speaking, at the time. With that came being well-known & for a few reasons, I was not ready to be so out front so vulnerable in front of everyone. My privacy was important to me. The urge, desire, and passion to make music is as fulfilling today as it was when I first got started and I have adjusted to being out there.
Fun Facts
It’s been said about me that I consistently uplift those around me and act as a beacon of light spreading goodwill; and that I have the gift of recognizing someone’s potential and helping them grow into the person they have the potential to become. This makes me smile. I like spreading goodwill.
I was born in Trenton, N.J. I am a Pisces.
photo: Bill Westmoreland
Recent Press Release
Denise Marsa is Not Counting Herself Out With Her Newest Single: ‘Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet’ Releasing June 14 Along With Her New Album ‘PIVOTAL’
(Friday, June 14, 2024, New York, New York) --This has been a significant year for the award-winning singer-songwriter and keyboardist Denise Marsa. First in late March, she gave us the sonically and lyrically evocative ‘Kiss Me in the Rain’ which saw the Until Dawn Remix hitting the top-ten peaking at #6 on the UK industry Music Week charts just a few weeks ago. Then she dropped the infectious and uplifting ‘Rainbow’ (Until Dawn Remix) to coincide with Pride month and all things connected to love. On June 14, she is giving us a final single as she leads us into the release of her newest album ‘PIVOTAL’, ‘Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet’. Her message is on-point, in lieu of her recent success and considering the decades she has been creating and producing her own music.
Marsa shares, “With a dozen interviews under my belt, which better helps me to understand the process of releasing ‘PIVOTAL’, I am handing it all over to fate and providence. I make music for all, and to know my work is being heard more often and by more people, it’s a well-earned sense of accomplishment. The music business has many unspoken restrictions, especially for women and it seems more and more in recent years, the audiences and new young artists are helping to cut through those restrictions. I am more convinced now that faith in oneself, despite what others think, is the ticket to an inspired life. Just do what you do, keep on course and focus on what really matters most. In my case, it has always been about the music.”
‘PIVOTAL’ is a mix of genres with Marsa’s voice being the wind in the sail. The self-taught keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and producer, renowned for her innovative blend of alt-indie pop, is a composer who steps out from the restrictions of boundaries and labels. Marsa decided to start her own label, KeyMedia Group, when she released her debut solo album ‘Self’, in 1998. The album garnered stellar reviews in both indie and mainstream press.
Denise Marsa’s musical journey is one defined by individualism, tenacity and the goal to make music that maintains its originality. ‘PIVOTAL’ is destined to captivate listeners with its compelling storytelling, infectious melodies, and thought-provoking themes, solidifying Denise Marsa's place as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music today. An album that is poised to be a testament to the art of songwriting and the collaborative nature of music, Marsa’s next offering escapes definition, navigating romance, self-discovery and personal triumph. Visit Denise’s website for more info. Website
About Denise Marsa: Leaving the University of Arizona in Tucson after two years, where she was studying theater and English, Marsa moved to New York City to pursue her music dreams. Performing in clubs throughout the city, it was not long before she was hired to sing on two recordings, the pop duet Lucky Stars with Dean Friedman and then as the lead vocalist on The Flirts Helpless (You Took My Love) dance track in the mid-80s. Both made their way to the top of the music industry charts in their perspective territories. After those two experiences, which were career altering, Marsa focused on her songwriting, and inked deals with Warner Bros UK, living in London for four years and then Warner Chappell US, moving to Los Angeles where the second deal originated. It was while living in LA and performing with her band, that she decided to start her record label KeyMedia Group to release her music. She also handled all the publicity for her debut album ‘Self’, which led her to start KeyMedia Public Relations, which focuses on the arts, entertainment, health and wellness spaces. In the early 2000s, Marsa began mentoring young artists and releasing their music on her label. In recent years, her focus is now back on her own work.
In 2016 Marsa signed an administrative deal with BMG Publishing US, which continues today, and with their support, began writing her one-woman show ‘The Pass’. The show’s limited engagement debuted (two nights) to impressive reviews at The Playground Theatre in London. She also performed the show at the 2021 United Solo Festival in New York City, for which she won the Best Concert Award.
Her newest release, ‘PIVOTAL’ is poised to be Marsa’s biggest personal success to date.
For more information, images or to request an interview UK contact: cat@fifthelement.biz
US contact: Melissa@citybirdpublicity.com
PIVOTAL credits & liner notes