Mel Denisse Talks Musical Influences, Upcoming EP

Nashville-based alt-rock artist Mel Denisse has released “going nowhere”, a nostalgic, reflective track inspired by the fantasy book 'The Serpent & the Wings of Night' by Carissa Broadbent, ahead of her upcoming EP set to be released in 2026. Group Chat Mag sat down with Denisse to discuss her early musical influences, the themes of the aforementioned upcoming EP, and other future plans.

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I’ve read your influences vary greatly in genres, shifting from metal to 90s R&B. But, was their one artist that made you decide you needed to be a musical artist?  

Some of my earliest influences include bands like Failure and Sunny Day Real Estate- I kept coming back to them because I was so intrigued by the writing. As a self-taught artist, I found comfort in artists and bands like that where they weren’t afraid to push the boundaries and gave me confidence in the way that I approached songwriting.

What was your path to beginning to make your own music? Would you say you’ve always been determined to become a musician, or is it more of a need to share your art and connect with others?

Art in general has been a constant in my life, but the very first form of it was probably writing, and that seemed to branch out into all forms, including music, which has been the driving force since I was young. I’ve always been an introverted homebody so I spent so much time in my room trying to write and explore and I realize most of the time it was for myself, but it’s really special getting to release it now and share it with everyone. 

As a producer, how much of your creative process relies on being alone and introspecting versus meeting other artists and collaborating?

Naturally, I’ve been more comfortable on my own but over the last six years, I’ve collaborated with more people and that has really helped me hone in on what I want and shape me as an artist. Collaborating with other producers is also what drove me into producing myself because I wanted to be able to articulate and create what was in my head and not feel like I was sitting on the sidelines.

Do you think this particular novel is a one off source of inspiration, or will we see these characters and themes carry through into future recordings? Perhaps into an EP?

The EP will draw from both- personal experiences that also overlap with bigger themes I’m inspired by in books. If anything, sometimes that larger canvas helps me hone in on what I’m actually feeling or trying to say even more.

As someone whose music relies on shaping vulnerability into listenable art, what do you hope to explore more in your future, more self-expression, or more auditory experimentation?

Both. I try to challenge myself especially since I’m naturally a private person, and musically I think with each song I’m trying to push something further that I haven’t done previously.

What have been your top three albums this year that you feel connect most to your style, or share themes you would like to explore?

Deftones – Private Music, Grimes – Miss Anthropocene (not new but it’s a fav), and I’ve really been enjoying Yeule’s last album – Evangelic Girl is a Gun

You’re currently based in Nashville, have you always resided there, and are there any creative cities you hope to explore in the future? 

I moved to Nashville when I was 19, and it’s always felt like home. I do think about extended visits to places like Sweden, Japan, etc just to have a change of scenery.

I imagine every artist curates their song to a particular setting as well as feeling; at least for their own An introspective drive, or a cry in bed song for example. Was there any particular image you held of where your upcoming song “Going Nowhere” will be listened to?

I imagined this song being listened to while lying on the floor of your bedroom- or wherever you just zone out. Sonically and lyrically it’s got a haziness that kind of drowns you into a space for a while.

Is there anything you’d like listeners to know when listening to “Going Nowhere” or would you prefer the song to speak for itself?

I think my bit of inspiration for the song is out there, so I’d love for the song to speak for itself since I think there’s something for everybody in it.

Who would you dedicate this upcoming single to? Is there anyone personally or broadly who you feel would benefit from taking it in? 

I think anyone who is feeling stuck, whether it’s personal reasons or outside factors that are out of their control. I think on a collective level, we’re all feeling some stuff and this song holds understanding for that space.