Denver-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer DJ Williams is a man on a mission. Renowned for his dynamic performances with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Williams is set to release his highly anticipated solo album, Gravity & Grace, on June 3, 2025. This fearless sonic journey showcases his evolution as an artist, blending deep grooves, soaring guitar work, and raw rock intensity. In a recent interview with Grateful Web, Williams delved into the creative process behind the album and discussed his upcoming tour, offering insights into what continues to motivate him to evolve both personally and musically.
GW: Elliot with Grateful Web here, and today I’m joined by a very special guest—it is DJ Williams. DJ, how are we doing today?
DJ: I’m doing great. Happy to be here, and thanks for having me.
GW: There’s a lot going on in your world right now—your Spring Tour kicks off this week in California, which is going to be massive. The big news, Gravity and Grace, your new album, drops everywhere on June 3. Go grab that vinyl and pre-order it now. Let’s dive into this album, man, because I’m fascinated by how this all came together. Let’s start with the title, Gravity and Grace—it’s such a powerful title. Before we dive into the recording process, tell me a bit about where this title comes from, and if there’s a philosophical or emotional meaning behind it?
DJ: Yeah, Gravity and Grace is actually like a coming-of-age thing for me. It’s a philosophy I’ve taken on in life. As people, we often get caught up in making plans, trying to control every outcome, and mapping out every step of our lives. But the truth is, there’s this natural, divine ebb and flow to the universe—one that doesn’t always align with our expectations, but it leads us exactly where we’re supposed to be. So, for me, Gravity and Grace represents that balance. Gravity is the weight of reality, and grace is the beauty of letting go, of allowing things to happen as they should. To me, that’s where true happiness lies. It’s a reminder to not map out every moment of our lives. The universe will always steer us where we need to go, so we’ve got to surrender to that energy.
GW: That’s great perspective. Let’s talk about the making of Gravity and Grace. Where did these songs come from? Were they born in the studio or on the road? Tell me about the early stages of how these songs came together.
DJ: A lot of it was born in the studio. I have a studio at home, and the last three records I’ve done have all been started and completed there. I did this record mostly on my own—except for one track where I brought in some band members. I’m playing drums, bass, keys, guitars, and layering all the vocals. About 95% of it was done by me. It’s a process I’ve really come to enjoy, and it started during COVID when I needed something to do and wanted to build a creative outlet. So this is a product of all that, and it’s been a process I’ve really enjoyed.
GW: You’re kind of the master of doing things your own way. You wrote, recorded, and produced this album all by yourself. What sort of freedom does self-producing unlock for you as an artist?
DJ: First off, I work really fast. The recording process is all about getting the ideas down quickly because they come to me fast, sometimes too fast. Then I go back and start chipping away at things, almost like sculpting. I simplify it, whittling it down to what it’s supposed to be. It’s an interesting process because a lot of artists—when they go into the studio—can be perfectionists. But I love letting things evolve naturally. It goes back to Gravity and Grace. I often find myself going back to the original idea or the first take. Sometimes, the fifth or seventh take isn’t as good as the first, so I just stick with that. It’s about finding what feels right and staying true to it.
GW: Sometimes a song evolves into something entirely different by the end of the album, but it’s fascinating to hear how you naturally return to the original idea. So, while self-producing is creatively freeing, it must also be daunting at times. What were some of the challenges you faced with this record?
DJ: One challenge I’ve always had with solo projects is getting out of my own way. I also really appreciate the simplicity and limitations of being a drummer. I’m not flashy; I’m just a guy who can hold the pocket. But I love how that keeps the album organic and digestible. As for me, it’s like, I love stretching stuff out and jamming stuff live, but I really want the album to be well-written songs. I’m really focusing on being a songwriter here moving forward, and I really want to make bodies of work that are considered songs. That’s the model that I’m trying to strengthen as far as not just playing; I’ve pushed myself to evolve as a songwriter, not just a performer.
GW: Absolutely. And, as you said, you’re breaking the mold. In today’s music industry, it’s all about singles, but you’re encouraging listeners to listen to the album from start to finish. What are the themes or overarching messages you want listeners to get from Gravity and Grace as a whole?
DJ: A lot of the album reflects our current time and age. One track, Mr. Marvelous, is about our president. The title is kind of the opposite of what I think, but the song is very honest and real for me. It’s about living in a traumatic, chaotic time, especially as a Black American. The opening track, You Best Believe, is essentially an anthem saying, “This is where we’re at, and this is where we’ve been as a country.” I think we need to shout from the rooftops that we need change and hope for a better America. There’s also a ZZ Top cover of Just Got Paid, which I love—it’s from their first album. The lyrics are all about the underwhelming grind of daily life.
GW: I love that about you, man. Your raw emotion comes through in your music, and you’re unapologetically yourself, which is rare these days and really resonates with your fans.
DJ: A lot of the people I look up to are unapologetically themselves, and that’s inspired me to do the same.
GW: You’ve always blended genres—funk, soul, rock, hip hop. Where does Gravity and Grace land musically?
DJ: Sonically, this is a rock record, which I’ve always wanted to make. I’ve often been pigeonholed as a funk or soul artist, but that’s not really me. Even when I was with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, we were all over the place musically, especially Karl, who has a natural appreciation and love for everything. Now that I’m on my own, I don’t feel the need to be a genre-specific artist. You know, I love the rock side of me, and I’ve been talking about this rock record for a decade. So this album is the culmination of everything I’ve been building up to. It’s the most proud I’ve been of any album I’ve made.
GW: There you have it, folks, it’s a rock record. It sounds like it’s going to be an incredible record, and we cannot wait to give it a listen. The tour also kicks off this week, you’re hitting the road to promote the new album. Going to be huge; what are you most looking forward to?
DJ: I’m excited because the first part of the tour is in California, and I just love the West Coast fans. Each coast has its own vibe—Colorado fans are different from East Coast fans—but there’s something special about the West Coast crowd. They’re very engaged and present during the live show. It feels like we’re all in it together, all there for the music. That’s what I’m really looking forward to on this tour.
GW: Absolutely, man, and your band has featured an incredible cast of musicians over time. Tell me about this current roster of the DJ Williams Band and how you connected with these players.
DJ: It’s funny because there are three Williams in the band, but no relation. My drummer, Nico Williams, is an amazing drummer from my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. His father played drums for the Wailers and Kenny Chesney, so he’s got drums in his blood. He brings intensity to the band, which I love. Then there’s Dominic Williams; he’s this keyboard player from Denver who is amazing. He adds a beautiful sonic layer to the sound, and I need a big sound, and, man, we just speak the same musical language. On bass, we have my homie Steph Orsini from Los Angeles, and this is the second tour he’s done with me. We met in Denver during a jam session, and he’s a phenomenal bass player with big sound. So the four of us together, it’s going to be a really great tour.
GW: Sounds like a roster of absolute killers. When it comes to adding this new material to your setlist, how do you go about mixing in the new songs with your existing material? How do you approach these new songs live?
DJ: Right now, I haven’t even played the new material live yet. I sent four songs to the band to start with, but I wanted to wait until the tour to play them. I didn’t want to wear out the music before the live show. So, you know, the same way we’re talking about doing what feels natural and trusting the ebb and flow of the process—I trust my gut when it comes to what feels right for the setlist, and I don’t overthink it. Just do what feels good and we go from there.
GW: Between releasing the new album, hitting the road, and becoming a father—huge congratulations on that—how do you stay grounded with all these big life changes?
DJ: Thanks, man! I stay grounded by surrounding myself with good people. I love living in Colorado and being part of the Denver music scene and the village we have here. The people—my partner, my family, my friends—they keep me grounded. So many artists out there have to put this mask of like, I’m a musician and I have to be this deep artist. I’m a lot of other things, I’m about to be a father, I’m a good friend, a good boyfriend, so I try not to just be a musician. It’s like 15% of my life, man, probably less than that. I try to embrace the other things that I love and the people that I love; that really helps me stay leveled and focused.
GW: Absolutely. We often forget that artists have a whole personal side that fans don’t always see. You’ve got deep roots in Richmond, Virginia, as shown by your 2024 release By the Way of RVA, but what is it about the Denver music scene that made you want to make it your home?
DJ: It started when I played my first show here in 2007. I just saw how much Colorado, and especially Denver, supports live music and the surrounding scene. It’s not just about the shows; it’s part of the culture here. When I was living in LA, I loved it, but it was so stressful. Every time I came to Colorado, it felt like home, and that’s what made me decide to settle here.
GW: The Denver scene is certainly one of a kind. Well, DJ, this has been amazing. Thank you so much for your time today. Final question for you—what does 2025 and beyond look like for DJ Williams?
DJ: I’ll be finishing this tour on the West Coast and then taking it to the East Coast in June and July. I’m ending this leg at Cervantes on June 20 for my official album release show. After that, I’ll take a little break and let people digest the album. I’m really focused on building my fanbase, getting more attention as an artist, and eventually hoping to play more theaters and stuff all across the world. I’m a man on a mission! I’ve stopped being a hired gun for other people because I truly believe in what I’m doing. Just having conversations like this and putting my music out there means a lot to me. I’m building this thing one step at a time.
GW: Well, you’ve got a fan in me, DJ. I can tell you radiate authenticity, and I’m sure your fans feel that, too. We can’t wait to check out the record. Everyone, go catch DJ on tour this spring and summer, and thanks again for your time today, man. Incredible stuff!
DJ: Thank you so much, man. I appreciate it!
