The 9th Annual 605 Summer Classic Beer & Music Festival is right around the corner! Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23 to be exact, at Cherapa Place in downtown Sioux Falls.
The 605 Summer Classic is an outdoor event that showcases a variety of genres in downtown Sioux Falls. The two-day event includes appearances by big name and local up-and-coming artists.
Denham McDermott has been a part of the Sioux Falls music scene for several years now. The Aberdeen native performs with the stage name Denham.
With past appearances, including JazzFest and That Sounds Decent, he will be taking the stage on Friday.
605 had the chance to sit down with the local artist to find out how his roots have shaped him and his passion for music.
When did your love for music begin?
My family is musical, and they’ve been playing at the high level for a long time. Music is their life, and I’m just trying to make it mine. I’m just trying to be me.
What got you started in music?
It has always been a part of my life, but I really didn’t start pursuing it until I moved here a few years ago when I was 22 years old.
Since you went to school for criminal justice, how did you make the switch to music?
I just hated it. I didn’t want to be in the business of people’s freedom. I’d rather give people freedom by providing music that they can relate to.
How would you describe your style?
I feel like musicians pride themselves too much for sounding like somebody else. I try to sound like me as much as possible. But if I had to describe my style, I guess it’d be a cross between Anderson .Paak, maybe some Bruno, and a 90’s R&B singer. I like to say that my genre is closer to R&B, because I like to sing more than I do rap. When you start rapping people put you in a box, and I don’t want that because I do other stuff, too.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I think my greatest accomplishment isn’t just one big thing. It’s all the little ways that I have found to keep moving forward throughout life. Doing what you love isn’t hard, but life is hard. You get thrown through a lot of stuff, but if you’re passionate about something and you find ways to overcome each hurdle, and put yourself on a path to get yourself where you want to be… I think that is an accomplishment.
What is your overall goal?
It’s funny, because I feel like music is my tool to get to where I want to be, but it’s not just what I want to do. In my life, I just want to do mass humanitarian efforts. I just feel like music gives me access to that.
What are you looking forward to most during the 605 Summer Classic?
It’s a great atmosphere. I like the event, it’s a fun event. I’m just looking forward to having a good time.
“Do what you want to do. Do what you love, and keep doing it. Or find ways to make it happen. Don’t necessarily fall into what society wants you to be. Just being yourself is an accomplishment.” – Denham
How are you different from the other artists performing during the music event?
I’m Denham. It’s a lot different.
What is it like to be a musician in South Dakota?
It’s hard. People around here want music to be here, but they don’t want it to be here because they don’t want to have to… If you want to make a life in music, it’s hard to do it in South Dakota because some people here don’t want to have to pay for art. They want art to be something that people just do. It’s tough in a small area like this because people care more about stuff that is mainstream than they do about original music. The people that do support me in Sioux Falls are awesome, but I would always appreciate more support.
Where is your performance favorite venue?
The House of Blues in New Orleans. It was cool, you go in the back and you can see all of the greats who performed there and how many times they sold it out.
Who inspires you?
My mom. No matter what, she always knows the right thing [to do].
Favorite part about being a musician?
I’m torn. Every time you go somewhere, it’s like an adventure because you never know what it’s like where you’re playing, and that’s fun. But it’s also that I make and release music that I relate to, and I don’t ever think about how it could relate to other people. But then I’ll get contacted by people who have heard my music and they tell me about how it helped them through a hard time. The feeling is unexplainable.
An after party will take place both nights downtown at Wiley’s Tavern.
For more information and/or tickets, visit 605summerclassic.com.
ALL SD BEER TASTING
The 605 Summer Classic Beer & Music Festival presents the All-South Dakota Beer Tasting which will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 2-5 p.m.. The event will be included in the price of the Saturday-only ticket ($10), or the Weekend Pass ticket ($15). A tasting cup and a starter strip of tasting tickets are included. This year, an optional unlimited tasting wristband will also be available ($20).
The tasting will be immediately followed by the evening’s musical lineup from 5-11:30 p.m. All attendees of the tasting are welcome to stay for the evening’s music without additional charge.
Friday Performances, June 22
Pete Freely 5-5:30
Amos Slade 5:30-6:15
Linear Symmetry 6:30-7:20
Denham 7:35-8:30 – Friday
Megan Hamilton and The Bermudas 8:45-10
Bonnie X Clyde 10:15-11:30
Saturday Performances, June 23
Infinite Revolutions 2-5
Tuff Roots 5:30-6:15
Heatbox 6:30-7:20
Fayde 7:35-8:30
P.O.S 8:45-10
Skizzy Mars 10:15-11:30
