denali

The Story
In a story that never suffers from its retelling, Denali formed in 2000 when an unheard of singer named Maura Davis asked her brother, Engine Down's Keeley Davis if he wanted to start a band with her. One could only imagine his surprise. Not only had the then-19-year-old enchantress yet to write a proper song, but no one knew she had a voice in her as powerful and as compelling as the one that would easily exhale the band's first dozen songs-all of which would lead to the recruiting of fellow Richmond, VA scene vets Cam DiNunzio and Jonathan Fuller, who under the name Denali would quickly became one of the hardest sought after bands in the underground. Signing to Jade Tree a year later, the dramatic four piece has since taken on a chilly place in the indie rock landscape by writing truly cinematic and spacious pop songs, that come from behind you both softly and slowly. As if there were any other way.

When their self-titled debut appeared in 2002, Denali seemed to come out of nowhere, emerging with an incongruously loud bang for a band with such atmospheric control and melodic nuance. Record labels from major to minor-league were buzzing about their first rough recordings. In reality, the members of Denali are no new-comers: bassist/keyboardist Keely Davis and drummer Jonathan Fuller are half of Engine Down, guitarist Cam DiNunzio had been touring with bands for roughly ten years in a slew of seminal east coast indie and hardcore bands. But it’s the classically trained Maura Davis who ultimately defines the band with her unmistakable voice.

After eschewing major label temptation to sign with Jade Tree, Denali released their self-titled debut record, and immediately won over not only indie audiences, but also the curiosity of people outside the illusive "scene," those who recognized something salient and unique in the band’s music. For more information visit their website at www.denalimusic.com

Denali - Hold Your Breath