5 Questions with Denise Lawrence Brown
by Dwight Easter
DE- The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the performance community, what have you done to keep your artistic vision sharp while not being able to perform live?
DLB- Not enough! Early 2020 was one of the most productive times I have had as a player. I was working with The CAZZ on our upcoming record and doing a fun side project. I was rehearsing twice a week and in the studio. My chops were as strong as they’d ever been. Then COVID came along and bull-dozed the shit out of everything! After a significant slowdown, I am happy to report that The CAZZ is as strong as ever and back to rehearsing weekly.
DE- You came to performing fairly recently, what was your catalysis to learning the bass, and immediately impacting the Norfolk music scene from The Drendas to The Cazz?
DLB- I had a bass guitar in the late 80s and I never did much with it. I was convinced I was meant to be a fan and not a player. About 9 years ago I won a bass when I dressed up as David Bowie for a 70s rock icon costume contest. I had just started getting back into it when I got a call to come try out for a girl band that was just forming. I was horrible. It was ridiculous. I went back home and practiced the songs for a few weeks. When I hadn’t heard from them again, I summoned my courage and gave them a call to ask if we could try again. The second time it clicked and The Drendas were born. Once I started I was very dedicated. I wrote lyrics and Holly wrote music for an original about a month in and I was hooked.
DE- You and your husband David Brown are known in this area as active supporters of live music, and culture – does your blended family also share the same passions?
DLB- We have some super talented kids. Nick plays trumpet, sings/raps, and writes rap beats. Nadia sings and plays piano and ukulele. She has written several songs. Levi plays whatever he can get his hands on but started with middle school band playing saxophone. Hunter is an artist currently working on designing a tarot deck. Josh is a huge music supporter with very eclectic taste. We are super proud of them all.
DE- From my conversation with The Paul Unger, it’s my understanding The CAZZ has been working on a new release, what can the band’s fans expect from material cultivated during 2020?
DLB- We are stoked to be working with Patrick Walsh of Chicken n Waffles studio on a full-length release. It has been an awesome experience so far and we are about 2/3 complete. If Paul would stop breaking guitars that might help! These 11-12 songs range from older material we reworked after James Zobel joined us to newer material we’ve written. We are hoping to make a video soon as well. We all want to be back out in clubs doing shows as soon as we can to share this with everyone.
DE- As an impactful contributor and fan of the Norfolk music scene, what performance of a local band jumps out to you as, so glad I was here to witness this, and if you could play on the bill of any Norfolk bands past and present who gets that honor?
DLB- This is the hardest question of all! I have seen thousands of shows and some of my favorite bands ever are local bands. Seeing Death Trip at the Colley Cantina was certainly unexpected and mind-blowing. Who the hell were these kids? So glad I was there and though they were short-lived together, the various members have been in multiple great bands since. The first time I saw Freedom Hawk at The Belmont it was like seeing a national act not some guys from the beach. They are all friends and I go see them every chance I get. They never let me down. As to what bands I would want to play a show with? This is impossible. All the bands! I have been lucky to share the stage with many of my favorites over the years. Bringing back Buzzard, The Kill Circuit, Buttsteak, and The Crums would be amazing!
About Dwight Easter: Digital folk artist, family man and bread merchant. Some of the best moments in my life are experiencing the power and influence of great art. I came up in the Norfolk era of the M80’s, Buttsteak, and Antic Hay.