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Getting 'Outta Here' with Esmee Denters of Justin Timberlake's Tennman Records
by Troy Rogers
 Dutch
singer and songstress, Esmee Denters, is living
proof that video networks like YouTube have had
a major impact on the music industry in a positive
light. In years past, up and coming young artists
like Esmee would have been forced to jump through
several musical hoops just to get someone in the
music industry to listen and take notice of her
talents. Now, with the ongoing video revolution
in full swing, unknown singers can upload demo
clips from the confines of their own bedroom in
an effort to hopefully catch the eye of someone
who can take their talents to the next level.
And for Esmee Denters who sang a few cover songs
in 2006 and uploaded them to the world stage only
to receive 20 million views on her own channel,
that talent couldn't have been bigger as she caught
they keen eyes and ears of Justin Timberlake who
snapped Esmee up and signed Denters in 2007 as
the first singer on his new label, Tennman Records.
After mentoring with Justin Timberlake, working with super producer Polow Da Don, landing an appearance on Oprah, and touring with Enrique Iglesias, Esmee Denters is on the fast track to musical success with her first single "Outta Here" from her upcoming album of the same name.
TheDeadbolt recently caught up with Esmee Denters who is soaking up all of the attention and taking advantage of being exposed to some of the world's most talented and astute entertainment minds in order to learn and grow in a way that keeps her grounded like those around her. If her first single "Outta Here" is any indication of her talents, Esmee has a long and rewarding musical future ahead of her.
THE DEADBOLT: So how has "Outta Here" been doing over the last two months?
ESMEE DENTERS: It’s been going really great. The single and the album is already out in Holland and it’s going really well. I’m really happy that it’s been received so great and I can’t wait for it to come out in the U.S. as well. I’m really excited about that.
THE DEADBOLT: How have you grown because of the YouTube experience?
 DENTERS:
I think I’ve grown quite a lot, actually. I
started posting videos more than three years
ago and started when I was seventeen and now
I’m twenty. Yeah, I’ve grown a lot. I get to
travel around the world. I started writing my
own songs, so almost all of the record I’ve
been writing on. I really feel that it had a
big affect on my life and it really has changed
me in a lot of ways. I’m really happy that I’ve
been given this opportunity.
THE DEADBOLT: Since you started out singing covers, how was the process different when you recorded "Outta Here"?
DENTERS: It was very different. I heard the song and I really, really liked it. Especially the fact that there are so many different influences in it that I think fit the record really well. So when I heard the song I was really excited to sing it, and then I sang it, and then I really made it my own and now it’s my song. I’m really excited to see now that there are people on YouTube actually singing my song, which is crazy, because I used to sing other people’s songs.
THE DEADBOLT: Since you're around people like Justin Timberlake and Oprah, what do you think it is that makes them so successful?
DENTERS: Obviously they both have lots of talent. But what’s really important about them is that they’re grounded and they’re great human beings and they have a good group of people around them that make them feel good. They’re just really grounded and good people, too, and that’s what I think makes them special.
THE DEADBOLT: What's it like to tour with Enrique Iglesias?
 DENTERS:
Oh, it was incredible. I was really really excited.
At first I really didn’t know what to expect.
I've always loved Enrique’s music, but I didn’t
even know what the shop was going to be like.
And then, actually, the first time I watched
his show the whole way through I thought it
was incredible. He’s such an amazing artist
and he really connects with his fans. I got
to watch him and learn from him and I just loved
performing in front of those audiences. It was
just great to get my music out there, because
it’s the first time I made a record and these
are all songs I’ve been writing on. It was just
great to be out there performing and doing what
I want to do.
THE DEADBOLT: How would you describe the sound of this album?
DENTERS: I would describe the album
as a pop record and it has a lot of diversity
to it. I’ve been influenced by a lot of different
artists and I think you can definitely hear
that. On the album, sometimes the songs have
a little bit of a rock edge, like "Outta Here,"
and then other songs are a little bit more live
and have that soulfulness to it. There are just
a lot of different sides to the record, which
is the same as me. There are a lot of different
sides to Esmee and I really wanted people to
hear that. But overall I would just say it’s
a good pop record with good songs.
THE DEADBOLT: How do you make sure that image and celebrity don't overshadow the music? Is it tough in such a celebrity driven industry?
DENTERS: Well, I think - like I said earlier - you have to really surround yourself with people that want the best for you and you just have to love what you do. I’m really really enjoying what I’m doing right now and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. So I’m really happy to be where I’m at and I really try to realize everything I’m doing and I just feel really lucky.
THE DEADBOLT: Do you have a full wardrobe of William Rast yet?
DENTERS: I actually got some pieces and I really like the line a lot. The jeans fit perfect. So yeah, he [Justin Timberlake] hooked me up a little bit.
THE DEADBOLT: How excited are you for the TMF Awards coming up in July?
 DENTERS:
That’s something I’m really excited about. I
just rehearsed. I have a band now with two dancers
and it’s really the biggest awards show back
home in Holland. I’m really excited to perform
there and I’m even nominated. So that’s even
crazier because I used to watch that show on
TV and now I’m going to be performing there.
THE DEADBOLT: So is that weird for you, or is it easier? How does it feel when you perform back home?
DENTERS: Yeah. It definitely feels really good, because usually my friends and family come and they watch me and the Dutch people have been so supportive. So it’s great to be back home and perform there and show the people there what I have been doing?
THE DEADBOLT: What is the one cover you’re still dying to do?
DENTERS: I would probably like to sing more of a little bit of a rock band song. I really like The Script right now and Snow Patrol. So I would probably sing one of their songs.
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